Future TalentEd Summer Term 2020 Summer 2020 | Page 11

EMPLOYEE PROFILES
STUDENT RESOURCE
Gatsby Benchmarks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
SO, YOU WANT TO BE A
VENTURE
DEVELOPER?
Ignacio Salsas’ role as a venture developer at
Launchpad is dynamic, fast-paced
and entrepreneurial.
What does Launchpad do?
Launchpad is BP’s ‘unicorn factory’, a team of business builders
with expertise in tech, talent, and growth marketing, helping BP
to tackle the energy challenge. We turn breakthrough technologies
and business models (from inside and outside of BP) into
high-potential, billion-dollar businesses.
What’s great about working as a venture developer
at Launchpad?
You can explore and try anything you want; you are the only one
who will set your growth boundaries. No two days are the same.
One morning, you might speak to portfolio managers of other
investment funds about their deal flow and what they’re seeing
in the market, then have a few calls with incredible founders
raising investment rounds, to evaluate whether there’s a fit with
our portfolio. You might spend the afternoon on product
development or innovation for one of the portfolio companies.
The next day you might work on customer retention for an app
another portfolio company is developing.
The best things include the great minds you come into contact
with, the non-stop learning, fast-paced environment and the
ability to make an impact and pursue what motivates you.
The job has no hierarchical limits and can be as diverse as
you want it to be. Oh, and there’s always plenty of networking
events/drinks if you start getting bored.
What sort of roles are available at entry level?
Most funds offer analyst roles at entry level. This can vary massively.
In some firms, you’ll spend most of your time speaking to startups,
or doing due-diligence reports, and in others you’ll be able to
work with portfolio companies. You’ll learn loads from day one.
Most firms ask for previous experience in finance, consulting or
creating your own startup (which is the best way to get into this
since you’ll have insider knowledge!)
“The best thing you can do is to
study something you’re passionate
about and be the best at it”
Who would it suit as a career?
People of action, who want to get things done, rather than creating
PowerPoints and strategies on paper which are not implemented;
dynamic, hard-working self-starters who are endlessly curious,
who love diving into new things and are not afraid to take massive
risks. It suits those who can digest and critically analyse piles
of information on innovative markets/tech and create a map of
growth industries and where the future is going in that industry;
people who can build relationships quickly, get excited by the
idea of helping to shape the future and working with little briefing
and significant process gaps.
What subjects would it be useful to study at school?
I recommend science-based study options. Maths/further maths,
physics and chemistry are some of the A levels I chose. In the
end, anything that qualifies you to be an engineer will get recruiters’
interest. Languages are a great tool, opening you up to numerous
markets and people. But the best thing you can do is to study
something you’re passionate about and be the best at it.
How could your career develop?
There are no standard paths. You can go deeper into the investment
side and become an investment principal, or become an
entrepreneur in residence – an expert in building businesses. Or
you could progress towards a chief operating officer role in a
portfolio company.