POSITION OVERVIEW

Investment Analysts join BDC's StrongNorth fund as an early-career professional to support key parts of the investment process and monitor our current portfolio.

You will support investments in defense, dual-use, and deep technology sectors, developing an understanding of how emerging technologies map to national security and industrial priorities.

In this role, you will network, research, and perform analysis for prospective and current investments. These will cover strategic topics such as markets, industries, ecosystems, and competition, as well as operational ones, such as financials, management, and products.

You are expected to leverage sharp analytic skills and be able to work alongside experts on a variety of market and industrial subjects.

CHALLENGES TO BE MET

Platform Building

• Assist in managing the deal pipeline and providing financial analysis for end-of-period reports

• Support other team members as appropriate during the life cycle of an investment

• Ensure that the investment research files, and other collected information, including legal documentation, are maintained in conformity with our policies and procedures

• Ensure that new and existing investment files are properly documented by monitoring investments, amendments, and disbursements, including financial analysis and forecasting

Deal Sourcing

• Engage with entrepreneurs, investors and company representatives at occasional investment community or industry events, sharing relevant information with the team

• Stay on top of the current portfolio, identifying companies that are likely to raise funds for new and follow-on investments, and sharing insights with the senior team members

• Perform market research and scouting to inform the fund's investment strategy, identifying emerging markets, verticals, technologies, or companies

• Conduct initial business plan reviews, support initial communications with entrepreneurs and referring sources, prepare initial interview guides and alignment memo with recommendations to pursue or decline

Deal Making

• Perform due diligence analysis on companies' market, competition, management, sales, products, cap table, and anything that is relevant to determining potential business value and exit strategies

• Manage operational tasks in due diligence such as booking meetings, and preparing interview guides

• Determine and validate performance metrics, feeding valuation models, forecasts and financial pro formas

• Ability to understand and assess complex technical systems, working effectively with engineers, scientists, and domain experts to evaluate technologies, products, and services

• Assist in reference calls with competitors, clients, industry experts, and prospective company'scurrent or past employees
• Conduct routine background checks, KYC (Know Your Client) and AML (Anti Money Laundering)

Portfolio Management & Support

• Monitor portfolio performance, comparing performance to forecasts and models, and relaying potential opportunities and issues to management

• Participate occasionally in investee board meetings as an observer, keeping abreast of developments and escalating relevant information to Partners

• Assist investees with introductions to potential suppliers, investors, and employees

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Priority Profile for StrongNorth Defense Fund

• While we consider candidates from a wide range of backgrounds, we are particularly interested in individuals who combine:

• Undergraduate or graduate training in engineering, applied science, or technical domains (STEM)

• Strong financial acumen, ideally demonstrated through experience in venture capital, private equity, startup investing, or transaction analysis

• Progress toward or completion of a CFA designation or equivalent capital markets training

• Exposure to defense, aerospace, national security, or government innovation ecosystems (e.g., DND/CAF, NATO, CDI, dual-use technologies)

• Candidates who bring a combination of technical depth + investment capability + exposure to defense ecosystems are especially well aligned with StrongNorth's mandate.
• Experience participating in or evaluating investments through venture capital, startups, incubators, accelerators, or innovation (especially deep-tech and/or defense related) programs, is an asset.

• Experience in defense, sovereignty, and dual-use innovation

• Ability to operate at the intersection of technology, finance, and policy, translating complex systems into actionable investment decisions

Typical Background

• 1 to 3 years of experience in a role involving structured thinking, financial analysis, and technical expertise. These profiles are likely to come from, but are not limited to:

• Finance roles: venture capital, private equity, investment bank, accounting firm

• Operator roles: technology startup, industry-leading corporation, industry specialist

• Advisory roles: consulting, law, corporate strategy, corporate development

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Technology, or related STEM fields strongly preferred.

• Degrees in Commerce, Economics, or other disciplines are also considered where paired with strong analytical and technical capabilities.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong proficiency in Excel, particularly in building financial models that include sensitivity analysis and scenario modeling, as well as performing data analysis. Any other analytic tools and techniques are an asset

• Working proficiency with other MS-suite applications, mainly Word and PowerPoint

• Comfort engaging with senior audiences and responding to questions effectively during executive-level presentations

• Any technology skills with wide application, such as coding, chemistry, electronics are an asset

• Operational knowledge of any technical industry is an asset

• Bilingualism in French and English is an asset

Behavioral Traits

• Supportive, helpful attitude - willingness to proactively identify gaps and stepin to fill them

• Motivation and ability to do focused, independent work, in the context of a team

• Ability to work collaboratively and build positive relationships with stakeholders

• Willingness to learn and take feedback constructively

• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment, where objectives must be met within tight deadlines

This position's duties require access to confidential information. As a condition of employment, the position therefore requires a "secret" security clearance. The selected candidate will therefore have to submit to an investigation by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. Satisfactory results are a condition of employment.