Venture Capital & Investment Banking

Introductory Resources

• Key Definitions of Venture Capital (2-min video), Forbes.
  • Venture Capitalists – key definitions, skills, general info…, BU Vault.
  • Venture Capital Analysts – key definitions, skills, general info…, BU Vault.
  • Venture Capital Associates – key definitions, skills, general info…, BU Vault.
  • Venture Capital Principals – key definitions, skills, general info…, BU Vault.
  • Venture Capital Risk Managers – key definitions, skills, general info…, BU Vault.
• From a PhD in Biology to Venture Capitalist, Nature Biotechnology.
• Overview of Gates Foundation Venture Capital, Charlotte Hubbert, PhD (YouTube video).
• Key differences between Venture Capital and Investment Banking, Spectup.
• Starting your career in Life Science Consulting and Investment Banking, Back Bay Life Science Advisors (YouTube video).

Venturing further in this career area

• The winding journey of biotech capital raising: deciphering the jargon, N. Frame et al., 2023.
• Biotech Unveiled, RA Capital – a free, online course, that provides an overview of drug development and what goes into VC and other investors deciding to fund drugs and diagnostics.
• A guide to Life Science VC (key definitions, PhD vs MBA, typical day…).
  • Venture Capital Fund (key definitions, roles), Corporate Finance Institute.
  • How Venture Capital Works, Harvard Business review.
  • VC Funding Trends in Biotechnology, McKinsey (2023).
  • Webinar: Indication Selection Through the Eyes of an Investor – A Conversation with RA Capital.
  • Venture Maths: How VCs Value Startups, Halle Tecco.
• The Making of an Investment Banker, Jim Donovan (19-min YouTube video).
  • From a PhD in Biology to Investment Banking, Developmental Biology Article.
  • From a PhD in Molecular Biology to Director of Investments, UCL blog article.
  • Five tips for success in Investment Banking, BU Vault (2024).
  • Trends in Life Science Investment Banking, Objective IBV (2024).

Learning by training and doing job-related tasks

Job Simulations are job-related tasks that can be completed in a few hours, to help you assess how enjoyable and how much of a good fit a specific job could be for you. To make the most of job simulations, please set up SMART Goals to perform each simulation in a reasonable timeline. When you have completed the task, fill out the Self-Reflection Sheet, which will help you reflect on what you enjoyed (or did not enjoy) about the simulation, and how it can help inform your career exploration efforts.

• H2 Venture Capital Virtual Job Simulation.
• Venture and Business Builds virtual simulation with BCG.
• Investment Banking virtual simulation with JP Morgan.
• Investment Banking virtual simulation with Bank of America.

Preparing your transition into this career area

• Focus on your skills, Nature article.
• Feel free to take or audit online courses on finance or investing or other relevant topics, to learn the language and be at ease with talking with folks from these areas.
• Growing your network and having informational interviews with PhDs who have transitioned into careers of interest to you will enable you to learn more about the job’s daily responsibilities, hiring process, career progression, etc., and the sector as a whole.
  • Look for and join relevant thematic groups on LinkedIn, online communities like Life Science Hikers, etc.
  • Look for GMS Alumni who have transitioned into this career area.
• Some companies started offering fellowships to advanced degree holders – a couple of examples below (this is by no means an exhaustive list – keep searching!):
  • 5AM Fellowship for Master’s, PhD, or MD degree holders interested in transitioning into VC.
  • Outcome Capital provides internship opportunities for upper class PhD students or fresh graduates. Email Bene to learn more.
• Study company websites, follow them on social media and YouTube.
• Analyze job descriptions to learn more about what institutions and organizations are currently looking for.