Founder’s Associate - Mission Studio 

🚀 Mission Studio is creating the future of mission-driven tech startups. We're tackling the UK's toughest social challenges - from net zero to obesity - by building commercially successful businesses to address them. After three years of operating with a partner we are bringing the studio in-house, building a dynamic team, and entering an exciting phase of growth. 

🔍We are looking for a dynamic and highly organised Founder’s Associate to work closely with our senior leadership to ensure Mission Studio’s growth and success. This role is crucial in supporting the day-to-day operations of the studio, coordinating team activities, acting as a natural connector between the Studio team, wider Nesta and beyond, and assisting in the design, development and management of our portfolio of startups. 

About Nesta

We are Nesta, the UK’s innovation agency for social good. We design, test and scale solutions to society’s biggest problems. Our three missions are to give every child a fair start, help people live healthy lives, and create a sustainable future where the economy works for both people and the planet. 

For over 20 years, we have worked to support, encourage and inspire innovation. We work in three roles: as an innovation partner working with frontline organisations to design and test new solutions, as a venture builder supporting new and early stage businesses, and as a system shaper creating the conditions for innovation. 

Harnessing the rigour of science and the creativity of design, we work relentlessly to change 

🌟 Who You Are:

• A proactive problem solver, who is flexible, adaptable and always eager to tackle new challenges.

• A versatile generalist who thrives on wearing multiple hats and is comfortable getting stuck into the wide range of tasks and responsibilities that come with working in a venture studio environment. 

• Highly organised and capable of managing and prioritising multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously and at pace.

• Strong communicator, both written and verbal, with excellent interpersonal skills.

• Self-motivated and able to work independently while also being a collaborative team player.

• Enthusiastic about entrepreneurship and excited to contribute to the growth and success of innovative startups that positively contribute to the world.

• Ideally 1-3 years into your career, with experience in a startup or fast-paced environment preferred but not essential.

🛠 What You'll Do:

• Studio Operations support:

  • Coordinate and manage team meetings and workshops, including scheduling, preparing agendas, and taking minutes.

  • Provide administrative support to members of the studio team as required.

  • Organise team events, workshops, and off-sites to build and maintain a high culture environment.

• Startup Development Support:

  • Conduct in-depth research on topic areas relevant to our missions (e.g. obesity, household decarbonisation and early years education) and monitor emerging trends to inform and guide new startup projects.

  • Assist in organising and running customer / expert / investor interviews to gather valuable insights for solution development and validation.

• Startup Portfolio Management

  • Support with collection and analysis of data / KPIs on Mission Studio’s portfolio of startups, in order to provide updates to leadership on progress, impact and risks.

  • Attend meetings with our startup founders, and support with follow up actions.

• Communication and Network Building:

  • Help maintain clear and effective communication channels within the studio, with founders, and with our broader ecosystem of external stakeholders.

  • Assist in the creation and distribution of studio newsletters, engaging content, internal updates, and other communications materials.

  • Support the planning and execution of studio events, workshops, and brand building / networking activities to support founder recruitment and build a strong community around our startups.

  • Support with targeted recruitment and relationship building to identify undiscovered founders, in line with our Studio’s equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) ambitions 

  • Develop and nurture relationships with key partners, industry experts, and potential investors to expand the studio's network, and support the development and management of our CRM system.

• Additional Responsibilities:

  • Contribute to the development, implementation and improvement of studio processes. 

  • Take on special projects and other tasks as needed to support the overall success of the studio and its startups (example could be further developing Mission Studio’s EDI strategy, governance structure, writing investment memos for a start-up we are about to spin out, etc.).

👩‍💻 What we offer:

Location: This role is based in Blackfriars, Central London. We also offer a hybrid working arrangement, but expect staff to work from the office 2 days per week.

Offer: Salary circa £35K depending on experience, and a benefits package that cares for you beyond the office. The benefits include private medical insurance, dental insurance, the ability to buy and sell annual leave, eyecare vouchers and more.

Start Date: ASAP

Report To: Head of New Ventures, Mission Studio.

Apply now and let's build something extraordinary together.

Making an application 

To apply for this role, please submit your application before [TIME on DATE]. 

Interviews will take place on an ongoing basis.