Location: Tokyo Studio
Department: Other
Moon is hiring a Business Creator who will work closely with ventures within Moon and beyond to conceive, source, and execute new business ideas and support ventures, guiding them toward exponential growth and future liquidation events. This position is based at Moon’s Tokyo studio in Omotesando.
You are an experienced business creator with the knowledge and insight to conceive of new ideas, to execute these ideas, and create new businesses. You also know how to assess market potential and identify new opportunity areas. You have the ability and experience to structure and achieve new venture spinout deals. You have a talent for advising entrepreneurs on strategy and leadership team formation. You understand startup market dynamics and are well connected within the Japanese startup ecosystem.
Conceive and Execute Ideas to Create New Businesses
You will act as a creator/advisor to our ventures, both within Moon and beyond, on business ideation and its execution to create impactful new businesses. You have basic consulting skills and enjoy explaining the “why” and “how” and managing expectations from different stakeholders, including ventures, Moon executives, Business developers, Business designers, and many more. But more than just consulting, you have strong skill and passion in executing the creation of new businesses.
Identify and evaluate potential investments and execute deals
You will act as the focal point of deal sourcing, identifying new investment opportunities in innovative startups and new technologies using your knowledge, expertise and network in the startup industry. You will also be leading all stages of deal execution working with other members of Moon, from conducting and organizing due diligence, determining the valuation of the investment, discovering successful exit opportunities as well as proposing deal terms and negotiating with the founder/management of the potential investments.
Support projects and portfolio companies through to value capture
You will act as an advisor/investor to our ventures, both within Moon and beyond, on growth strategy, business model optimization, and key metrics, based on the deal terms and the return expectations of the Moon Committee (investment decision making body). You may be on the Board of Directors of our portfolio companies and support their recruiting and fundraising activities as required, helping the management teams to achieve self-sustaining operations whether through later rounds of Mitsui funding, third party funding, forming alliances or joint ventures with large(r) companies or acquisition. As part of the investing team you will also be monitoring the growth of the investments as a portfolio and will be recommending to the Moon Committee on the timing, measures and strategy for their exits.
Improve and evolve Moon’s investment approach
Moon is committed to continuous progressive evolution of its approach to venture incubation and investing. We are funded by Mitsui & Co. to build growth businesses and manage them seeking an acceptable return on investment. You will advise the Moon Committee on ways to improve venture building throughput and success, including but not limited to: deal structure practices, Newco structure and Shareholder Agreement terms, venture founder incentives, and return harvesting strategies.
Enhance Moon’s connection with the Japanese startup ecosystem
Building Moon’s standing in the Japanese startup community is part of our mission. You will be an ambassador for Moon with key players in the startup community, including talent, corporate investors, existing startups, financial market regulators, and sources of capital.
You will help Moon EIRs and our portfolio companies network their way forward, including sourcing management talent and where appropriate, introducing them to prospective customers and third-party investors. Working with other members at Moon you will educate MoonMates on trends, best practices, and how to thrive as an entrepreneur in Japan.
Fluent Japanese (native)
Minimum [5] years of relevant investing and venture capital experience
Corporate venture incubator or CVC experience
Passion, pulse for Japanese startups, entrepreneurship and the venture ecosystem as well as network in the industry
A high comfort level in working within a self-directed culture and navigating ambiguity
Excellent discretion, demonstrating sound judgement in dealing with confidential dialogues and information
Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills
English verbal and written skills
Experience working in a fast-paced startup environment with changing priorities
Experience in working in multicultural teams
If you identify with Moon's values and would like to contribute to our work, please submit your resume and optionally, a cover letter.
Moon Creative Lab is an equal opportunity employer; applicants are considered for all roles without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital, parental, veteran or military status, unfavorable military discharge, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
Moon Creative Lab is a human-centered venture studio that empowers the creation of new business. Moon’s mission is to help individuals, teams, and corporations unleash their creativity and transform bold ideas into ventures that will have an exponential impact on the world. By bringing together the best talent in design, engineering, product, and more, we help bring new ventures from zero to launch. For more information, visit www.mooncreativelab.com and follow us @mooncreativelab.inc.