Venture Associate, Dubai, UAE

Venture Associate, Dubai, UAE

Location: Dubai

Job Description Silicon Foundry, a Kearney company, Venture Associate, Middle East

Who We Are:

Silicon Foundry is a premier innovation advisory firm that helps corporations anticipate disruption, engage with emerging technologies, and build high-impact partnerships that drive business transformation. As a subsidiary of Kearney, a global consultancy, we blend strategic expertise with deep connectivity across startups, venture capital, and technology ecosystems to help organizations unlock new opportunities and accelerate growth.

Our work spans corporate innovation, venture strategy, and ecosystem engagement. We help our global enterprise clients navigate shifting market dynamics, scout and engage with cutting-edge startups, and structure strategic investments, partnerships, and acquisitions.

A core part of our expertise is designing, launching, and managing venture programs such as corporate incubators, accelerators, and strategic investment initiatives. We don’t just advise—we build and execute. From defining focus areas and sourcing high-potential startups to facilitating pilots, structuring investment theses, and driving commercialization, we help organizations translate external innovation into tangible business impact.

By integrating Kearney’s world-class consulting capabilities with our deep venture and technology networks, we create the bridge between corporate strategy and the fast-moving startup ecosystem—helping enterprises stay ahead of disruption and future-proof their businesses.

Learn more at www.sifoundry.com.

About The Role:

The Venture Associate is a client-facing role responsible for supporting the design and execution of venture-building and innovation projects across the MEA region. You will work closely with project leads and clients to deliver high-quality research, startup sourcing, market analysis, and program execution. The role requires a balance of strategic thinking, analytical rigor, and operational excellence, with the ability to translate insights into tangible project outcomes.

This is a hands-on role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and wants to directly shape the success of client engagements.

Who You Are:

• A structured problem-solver, analytical with strong execution discipline and attention to detail. You are excited to work closely with senior management - to quickly and continuously deliver impact by rolling up your sleeves to tackle a wide range of projects
• You have the ability to quickly grasp emerging technologies, product trends, cultural shifts, changing market dynamics, and understand how they can evolve, create opportunities, and shape the future
• You are able to form thoughtful and considered perspectives on a breadth and depth of topics, supported by both objective evidence and strategic conviction
• You have strong verbal and written communication and organization skills, and have considerable experience interacting with senior stakeholders
• You are a visual storyteller - you can put together decks and proposals that respond to our prospects’ needs
• You are experienced in leveraging AI tools and technologies (e.g., GenAI tools, data analysis platforms, AI-driven research tools) to accelerate research, improve deliverables, and solve complex problems creatively. You are curious and proactive in exploring how AI can unlock value in business and innovation contexts.
• You can work with minimal supervision and direction and proactively take ownership of tasks. Able to thrive in ambiguous environments while driving towards clear deliverables and client outcomes.

What You’ll Do:

Project Execution

• Support the end-to-end delivery of client innovation and venture projects, from scoping through to execution.
• Conduct market research, opportunity assessments, and competitive benchmarking aligned to client objectives.
• Develop executive-ready reports, presentations, and recommendations tailored to client needs.
• Coordinate and manage workstreams, ensuring milestones, deliverables, and timelines are met.
• Act as a day-to-day point of contact for client project teams under guidance from senior leadership.

Research & Analysis

• Perform deep-dive industry, market, and technology research to support client engagements.
• Analyze startup ecosystems, venture activity, and emerging trends to generate actionable insights.
• Use AI and digital tools to accelerate data collection, synthesis, and deliverable quality.

Startup Sourcing & Diligence

• Identify and evaluate startups relevant to client priorities and innovation roadmaps.
• Conduct assessments on business models, market potential, financials, and strategic fit.
• Build structured pipelines of startups for partnership, investment, or acquisition opportunities.

Ecosystem & Network Building

• Support relationship-building efforts with startup founders, venture capital investors, and corporate innovation leaders.
• Help organize and execute events, demo days, and curated networking sessions to strengthen Silicon Foundry’s position in the venture ecosystem

Business Development & Thought Leadership

• Support Managing Directors with business development strategy, contribute to proposal development, case studies, and client materials for new business opportunities.
• Support the creation of thought leadership content and frameworks highlighting key venture and technology trends.

Desired Skills & Experience

• 3–6 years of experience in strategy consulting, venture capital, corporate innovation, investment banking, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering client projects with clear outputs and measurable impact.
• Strong analytical and research skills; ability to turn data into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills, including development of C-Suite-ready materials.
• Experience in startup sourcing, diligence, or program support is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in leveraging AI and digital research tools to enhance work quality and efficiency.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to manage multi-stakeholder environments.

Requirements:

• Role is for applicants currently in or willing to relocate to an office in the GCC region (e.g. UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait)

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive compensation package
• Housing Allowance – This is a cash-based allowance to support housing and is part of total fixed salary. It is paid monthly along with the Base Salary
• Discretionary annual Bonus
• Annual Leave Ticket – Economy class return ticket for employee & dependents (spouse & children) to home country, once every year
• Health Insurance – For employee & dependents (spouse & children)
• 25 days PTO

Silicon Foundry, LLC,, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer- By Choice. We believe we are best equipped to help our Members, partners and colleagues to grow and navigate what’s next. We understand, respect, and value diversity - unique styles, experiences, identities, abilities, ideas and opinions- while being inclusive of all people.

About the company

Silicon Foundry, a Kearney company, is an innovation advisory firm that catalyzes opportunities and accelerates change to push the frontier of what’s possible.

We help our Members navigate new technologies and market shifts, discover and engage with key emerging leaders, and unlock high-impact customer, partnership, investment, co-creation, and acquisition opportunities. Our Members represent a diverse spectrum of corporations from across the globe, such as BP Innovation, NatWest, UPS, SK Innovation, Honda Innovations, the State of Michigan, and Southwest Airlines, and many more. Learn more at www.sifoundry.com.

Contact Person

Kofo Akinrimisi

kofo@sifoundry.com