Senior VC Associate

Associate / Senior Associate

Chingona Ventures

About Chingona Ventures

Chingona Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm investing in bold founders building the future across technology and innovation. We back companies early, work closely with founders, and believe great companies can be built by anyone, anywhere.

We are a small, high-impact team and value curiosity, rigor, empathy, and hustle.

Role Overview

The Associate / Senior Associate will play a core role in sourcing investments, supporting diligence and deal execution, and working closely with portfolio companies. This person will help build strong founder relationships, develop investment judgment, and contribute to the day-to-day operations of the fund.

The role is based in Chicago, and we come into our West Loop office three days a week.

Key Responsibilities

Investment Sourcing & Market Research

• • Proactively source early-stage startup opportunities through founder outreach, ecosystem engagement, and inbound review
  • Build and maintain relationships with founders, accelerators, angels, and other investors
  • Conduct market research and thematic analysis to support investment theses

• Track emerging trends across relevant sectors and geographies

Diligence & Deal Execution

• Support or lead diligence, including market sizing, competitive analysis, customer research, and financial modeling
• Prepare investment memos and materials for internal decision-making 
• Support deal structuring, term sheets, and closing processes

Portfolio Support

• • Partner with portfolio companies on strategic initiatives such as fundraising, hiring, partnerships, and go-to-market
  • Attend board meetings as an observer to start, and then represent Chingona Ventures on boards
  • Help founders prepare for investor meetings, pitches, and follow-on rounds

• Serve as a thoughtful, responsive resource to founders post-investment

Fund & Platform Operations

• • Help manage CRM, pipeline tracking, and reporting
  • Support LP communications, data requests, and portfolio updates

• Contribute to content, events, and community-building initiatives that strengthen the Chingona Ventures brand

Leveling Expectations

• 2-4+ years of experience in venture capital (ideal), startups, consulting, finance, or a related field
• Strong analytical skills and comfort with research and diligence
• High attention to detail and strong written communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment
• Eagerness to learn and develop investment judgment
• High level of comfort being proactive and self-directed

Apply Here. You’ll need to include an investment memo on a company you think we should invest in!