Startup Scout / Networking Partner

(https://socialdiscoverygroup.com/about-us/) (https://socialdiscoverygroup.com/about-us)Social Discovery Group (https://socialdiscoverygroup.com/about-us) (SDG) is the 3rd largest social discovery company in the world, uniting 60+ brands with 500 million users. We solve the problems of loneliness, isolation, and disconnection by transforming virtual intimacy into the new normal. Our portfolio includes online communication platforms focusing on AI, game mechanics, and video streaming - Dating.com, DateMyAge, Cupid Media, Dil Mil, Kiseki, and others.

SDG invests in IT startups around the world. Our investments include Open AI, Patreon, Flo, Clubhouse, Woebot, Flure, Astry, Coursera, Academia.edu, and many others.

We bring together a team of like-minded people and IT professionals specializing in the creation and development of globally impactful social discovery products. Our international team of 1200 professionals and digital nomads works all over the world.

Our teams of digital nomads work remotely from Cyprus, Malta, the USA, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Montenegro, Poland, Latvia, Serbia, Spain, Portugal, UAE, Israel, Turkey, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia and many other locations.

In August 2024, we achieved Great Place to Work US Certification™! This achievement reflects our core belief that a truly exceptional workplace is built on trust, pride, and camaraderie—not just great perks.

We are looking for a Startup Scout / Networking Partner to join our SDG Venture Studio.

Position Overview:
As a Startup Scout / Networking Partner at SDG Venture Lab, you will focus on sourcing promising early-stage startups for potential investments and partnerships. You will be the first point of contact with founders, conducting intro calls and evaluating their potential fit with the Lab. Beyond initial screening, you will build and maintain long-term relationships with entrepreneurs, creating a strong founder network around SDG Venture Lab and helping us identify the most ambitious and innovative teams in the social discovery space.

Your main tasks will be:

• Identify and source startups aligned with SDG Venture Lab's focus areas through scouting tools, databases, and networks, as well as potential co-founders, advisors, industry experts, and key team members relevant to these ventures.
• Conduct screening calls with startup teams to assess founder quality, communication skills, and alignment with the Lab's standards.
• Evaluate startups using a structured scorecard system (strategic fit, founder potential, market opportunity).
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with startup founders.
• Develop and expand a personal network of startups and ecosystem players relevant to SDG Venture Lab's focus.
• Actively participate in niche conferences, meetups, and events to represent SDG Venture Lab and source potential pipeline opportunities.'

We expect from you:

• Understanding of how to work with startup / VC databases and tools (e.g. Crunchbase, PitchBook, Dealroom, Tracxn).
• Prior experience in startup scouting or venture analysis.
• Understanding how venture studios, VC funds, and accelerators operate.
• Fluent Russian and C1 English (written and spoken).
• Skills in sourcing information from open sources (LinkedIn, Google, Crunchbase, communities, events).
• Strong networking abilities: building trust, establishing long-term relationships, and expanding connections in the startup ecosystem.
• Ability to design and apply simple scorecards for evaluating startups and founders (business potential, founder qualities, market fit).

What do we offer:

• REMOTE OPPORTUNITY to work full time;
• Vacation 28 calendar days per year;
• 7 wellness days per year (time off) that can be used to deal with household issues, to lie down and recover without taking sick leave;
• Bonuses up to $5000 for recommending successful applicants for positions in the company;
• Full payment for professional training, international conferences and meetings;
• Corporate discount for English lessons;
• Health benefits. According to the paychecks, if you are not eligible for corporate medical insurance, the company will compensate you with up to $ 1,000 gross per year per employee. This can be spent on self-purchase of health insurance or on doctor's fees for yourself and close relatives (spouse, children);
• Workplace organization. The company provides all employees with an equipped workplace and all the necessary equipment (table, armchair, wifi, etc.) in our offices or co-working locations. In the other locations, the company provides reimbursement of workplace costs up to $ 1000 gross once every 3 years, according to the paychecks. This money can be spent on the rent of the co-working room, on equipping the working place at home (desk, chair, Internet, etc.) during those 3 years;
• Internal gamified gratitude system: receive bonuses from colleagues and exchange them for time off, merch, team building activities, massage certificates, etc.

Sounds good? Join us now!