Investment Associate

Position Summary

The Investment Associate supports OCI’s investment activities by providing investment analysis, market intelligence, transaction support, and portfolio insights across a range of investment initiatives. Working with both investment funds and innovative growth-stage companies, the Associate contributes to investment decision-making and helps advance OCI’s strategic objectives within Ontario’s innovation ecosystem.

The role requires strong analytical capabilities, sound business judgment, and the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable recommendations. The successful candidate will work closely with internal stakeholders and engage with investors, entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry leaders to support OCI’s investment and commercialization mandate.

About the Ontario Centre of Innovation

The Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) is a not-for-profit organization committed to accelerating economic growth in Ontario through the commercialization of advanced technologies and research. OCI acts as a bridge among academia, industry, and government, investing in collaborative R&D, fostering innovation ecosystems, and helping promising ventures bring new technologies to market. 

In 2024, OCI invested $117 million across the province, including $61 million in industry contributions. These efforts helped drive the creation and retention of over 5,500 jobs and catalyzed more than $700 million in private-sector follow-on investments. 

OCI’s role is central to Ontario’s vision of innovation-led prosperity: by reducing the risk of commercialization, facilitating partnerships, and strategically deploying capital into high-impact technologies, OCI contributes to the province’s competitiveness, talent retention, and long-term economic resilience.

Key Responsibilities

Investment Research and Decision Support

• Evaluate investment opportunities through financial analysis, market research, business assessment, and industry evaluation.
• Develop investment recommendations and supporting analyses for internal stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Conduct research on emerging technologies, sector trends, investment activity, and market developments.
• Prepare briefing materials, investment memoranda, presentations, and other decision-support documents.
• Analyze opportunities across a variety of sectors, including technology, life sciences, cleantech, advanced manufacturing, and other innovation-driven industries.

Transaction Management and Investment Operations

• Support investment activities throughout the transaction lifecycle, including opportunity assessment, diligence coordination, and closing activities.
• Manage information requests and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders during investment reviews.
• Assist with investment documentation, approvals, and administrative processes.
• Support ongoing investment program initiatives and special projects as required.

Portfolio Insights and Performance Analysis

• Monitor portfolio performance through the collection and analysis of financial, operational, and strategic information.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities across portfolio investments and prepare recommendations where appropriate.
• Contribute to portfolio reviews, performance reporting, and governance materials.
• Maintain investment records and support portfolio data management and analysis.

Ecosystem Development and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with founders, investors, fund managers, research institutions, accelerators, and ecosystem partners.
• Support OCI’s visibility and engagement within Ontario’s innovation and investment community.
• Participate, as needed, in industry events, conferences, and stakeholder meetings to strengthen market awareness and identify emerging opportunities.
• Contribute insights on ecosystem developments, investment trends, and market activity to support strategic planning and investment priorities.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum five years of experience in venture capital, private equity, investment banking, corporate development, management consulting, strategic finance, capital markets, commercialization, or a related analytical role.
• Demonstrated experience conducting financial analysis, evaluating business opportunities, and preparing professional recommendations for senior stakeholders.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced financial modeling, valuation, and research capabilities.
• Ability to assess investment opportunities and synthesize complex information into clear recommendations.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Professional judgment, integrity, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with venture investing, fund investing, startup ecosystems, technology commercialization, or innovation-focused organizations.
• Knowledge of Ontario’s innovation, research, and investment landscape.
• Experience evaluating companies across sectors such as software, artificial intelligence, life sciences, cleantech, or advanced manufacturing.
• MBA, CFA, CBV, or other relevant professional designation is considered an asset.

Key Relationships

Internal

• OCI leadership and employees across investment, commercialization, strategy, and corporate functions.

External

• Founders, investors, fund managers, industry leaders, academic institutions, researchers, innovation organizations, and government stakeholders.

This role is being recruited to fill a current vacancy.

OCI is committed to creating a diverse and equitable environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. OCI welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.