Associate Researcher

About the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA): 

The WTIA is a not-for-profit organization with the mission of creating a strong, sustainable, and equity-centered technology sector that empowers communities.  We do this by creating transformative programs that leverage the collective power of our member companies and their employees.

Position Title: Associate Researcher

Job Description

WTIA is looking for an Associate Researcher to help develop a Washington state technology startup landscape report. The report will include information on startups, investment activity, mergers and acquisitions, and similar activities to build a data-driven understanding of the startup ecosystem in the state. The intention is for this report to be published and marketed globally. The intern will also be setting the structure for future report creation that we hope to occur 2X per year.

This internship will provide an opportunity to connect and work within the local venture capital and technology startup ecosystem. The person selected for this position will be able to grow their network within the Washington startup community, including with investors, founders, and resource providers, while also becoming a trusted knowledge source for early-stage startup activity in Washington.

In order to be successful in this role, the intern will need to work hand in hand with a board of directors made up of local startup and venture capital veterans. They will also have an advisory group of local ecosystem players and startup enthusiasts that they will need to engage.

This internship will be predominantly virtual, with occasional in-person meetings hosted by WTIA and its partners.

ResponsibilitiesThe Associate Research intern will develop and design the Washington State Startup Report and will:

• Conduct research into Washington state startups, investors, and related activities utilizing database tools, surveys, online research, and interviews.
• Administer surveys and similar data collection methods
• Contribute to research design and methodology development
• Collect and organize research data
• Perform data analysis on first- and third-party data sources through investment databases like Pitchbook, Crunchbase, Harmonic, etc…
• Assist in preparing research reports and presentations
• Document research methodology and activities
• Work with an Advisory Board of local leaders to develop the report. This role will engage with the Report Board of directors on approximately a monthly cadence.
• Coordinate with local VC firms and founders on data collection and reporting

The ideal candidate will have experience executing research projects and reports, demonstrate exceptional time management, problem-solving, and communication skills, be detail-oriented, creative, and curious, and be interested in technology startups. 

This role is designed to fulfill student internship requirements. It will pay $24 per hour and require approximately 20 hours of work per week through May 2025. 

The expected dates for employment are approximately November 18th, 2024 to May 31st, 2025.

Hiring Process

• Application Review - October 2025
• Interviews - October and November 2025
• Candidate Selection - Mid-November 2025

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Working towards an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, likely a postgraduate degree.
• Must be detail-oriented, motivated, proactive, and able to meet deadlines
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Knowledge of pitchbook, Crunchbase and other startup databases not required but a bonus