At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform investment themes into validated venture concepts through market research and rapid experimentation.
- Company: Founders Factory, a dynamic venture studio in London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, collaborative workspace, and support across various functions.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities to work across diverse industries.
- Why this job: Shape the future of ventures and make a real impact from day one.
- Qualifications: Experience in concept development and strong strategic thinking skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Venture Design at Founders Factory is how we create new venture concepts on demand, not by chance. Working closely with our corporate partners, you'll take high-level investment themes and turn them into validated, venture-backable concepts through a structured three-month sprint. This is the earliest and most exploratory stage of our venture building process. You'll dig into markets, uncover gaps, conceptualise solutions, and pressure-test them with real users — all before a founder is ever hired. The concepts you validate and present to our Investment Committee become the ventures we go on to build. It's high-impact, high-autonomy work that directly shapes our portfolio.
What You'll Do / Responsibilities
- Take investment themes developed with our corporate partners and break them down into explorable problem spaces and opportunity areas.
- Conduct deep market research to understand where sectors are heading, identify structural gaps, and map the competitive landscape.
- Generate multiple potential venture concepts from each theme, applying human-centred design principles to conceptualise solutions that address real user needs.
- Design and run rapid experiments — including A/B testing, prototype testing, and user interviews — to validate or kill concepts quickly.
- Synthesise research and testing into clear, evidence-backed recommendations, narrowing from many ideas to a shortlist of the strongest concepts.
- Present validated concepts to the Investment Committee (comprising decision-makers from our corporate backers and the Founders Factory CEO), making a compelling case for which ventures to greenlight.
- Collaborate across the studio — working with other Venture Designers, Venture Builders, investors, and functional specialists — to sharpen your thinking and leverage collective expertise.
- Stay close to emerging technologies, tools, and market shifts so you're always bringing fresh thinking to each sprint.
Qualifications
- Proven experience in concept development, venture design, or similar roles where you've taken ideas from fuzzy opportunity spaces through to validated propositions — ideally across multiple industries or verticals.
- Strong strategic thinking combined with a bias for action.
- Deep comfort with market research and competitive analysis.
- Experience designing and running rapid experiments (A/B tests, landing page tests, concierge MVPs, user interviews) to validate assumptions with real users.
- Excellent communication and storytelling skills.
- A curious, creative mind that also brings discipline.
- Comfort with ambiguity and pace.
Nice to Have
- Fluency in German language.
- Background in innovation or a venture studio/builder environment.
- Experience working with or alongside corporate partners and navigating stakeholder dynamics.
- Familiarity with rapid prototyping tools (Figma, no-code/low-code platforms) to bring concepts to life quickly.
- Understanding of business model design and unit economics at the concept stage.
- Experience across multiple sectors (fintech, healthtech, sustainability, consumer, etc.).
What We Offer
- The chance to shape ventures from the very beginning — the concepts you validate become real companies.
- A collaborative, high-energy studio environment surrounded by builders, investors, and operators.
- Exposure to a diverse range of industries and corporate partners.
- Desk space in our London office with a fully-serviced workspace.
- Support across marketing, legal, finance, fundraising, growth, and recruitment.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
Venture Designer (London) in City of Westminster employer: Founders Factory Ltd.
At Founders Factory, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative environment where Venture Designers can thrive. Our London office provides a fully-serviced workspace that fosters creativity and innovation, while our commitment to employee growth ensures that you will have the opportunity to shape ventures from inception to launch. With competitive salaries and a diverse range of corporate partners, you'll be part of a high-impact team that values your contributions and encourages exploration in a fast-paced setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Venture Designer (London) in City of Westminster
✨Get Involved in Startup Events
Dive into the local startup scene! Attend pitch nights, hackathons, and networking events. It's a great way to meet founders and like-minded folks. Plus, you never know who might put in a good word for you at a startup like Founders Factory Ltd.!
✨Show Off Your Creativity
Startups love unique ideas! Create a portfolio or a personal website showcasing your past projects, especially those relevant to startups. This personal touch can really make you stand out when you're applying for that full-time gig at Founders Factory Ltd..
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Get active on platforms such as Indie Hackers, Startup Grind, or even LinkedIn groups focused on startups. Participating in discussions can increase your visibility and open up potential job leads, especially at buzzing companies like Founders Factory Ltd..
✨Direct Applications are Your Best Bet
Don't shy away from applying directly through our website. Startups often check their own portals first before other job sites. Tailor your application to show how you can add value to Founders Factory Ltd. — a personal touch goes a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Venture Designer (London) in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Entrepreneurial Spirit:When applying for a role in startups and entrepreneurship, it's crucial to highlight any experience you have with starting your own projects or businesses. We love seeing examples of your initiative, so sprinkle in stories of how you’ve taken risks or solved problems creatively—this is what makes you stand out!
Tailor Your CV for Impact:In the startup world, your CV should reflect not just your experience, but the impact you've made. Use quantifiable achievements to show your contributions, like percentage increases in growth or revenue. Remember, we’re looking for go-getters who know how to get results!
Craft a Provocative Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a chance to showcase your passion and motivation for working at Founders Factory Ltd.. Don't just list your skills—share your vision and what excites you about the entrepreneurial journey. Connect your personal aspirations with what we need, and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Keep Your Portfolio Handy:If you have a portfolio showcasing any past projects or entrepreneurial efforts, definitely mention it in your application. Though not always necessary for full-time roles, it can provide us with deeper insights into your work style and creativity. If you have a blog, products, or any innovation, we'd love to see it!
How to prepare for a job interview at Founders Factory Ltd.
✨Show Your Entrepreneurial Spirit
In startups, they love seeing passion and initiative. Be ready to share any personal projects or ideas you've worked on. This shows you’re not just about the 9-to-5, but you’re invested in creating value, which is key in this fast-paced environment.
✨Brush Up on Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to be thrown some curveballs during the interview—startups often face unexpected challenges. Having a couple of examples up your sleeve where you’ve creatively solved problems will really impress them. It's all about how you think on your feet!
✨Know Your Stuff About the Industry
Since you're applying for a full-time role, they’ll want to see you've done your homework. Make sure you understand where the startup stands in its industry, including competitors and market trends. It’s a great way to show you're genuinely interested and can contribute from day one.
✨Show Flexibility and Adaptability
Startups can pivot quickly, so highlight your adaptability. Share examples of when you've successfully navigated change or taken on roles outside your comfort zone. This shows you’re ready for whatever comes your way, which is crucial in a startup atmosphere!
