Application Guide
How to Apply for Co-founder & CEO, AI that does the reasoning work of drug discovery
at Deep Science Ventures
🏢 About Deep Science Ventures
Deep Science Ventures is a venture builder focused on creating science-based companies that address global challenges, with a mission to restore ecosystems and reverse global heating. Unlike traditional VC-backed startups, DSV provides a structured spin-out process and deep scientific expertise, making it a unique environment for building a company from the ground up with a clear planetary impact.
About This Role
As Co-founder & CEO, you will lead the commercial and strategic direction of a new AI-driven drug discovery company, taking it from spin-out through Series A and beyond. Your primary impact will be in translating cutting-edge AI that performs the reasoning work of drug discovery into a viable business, securing funding, building partnerships with pharma/biotech, and assembling a world-class team to tackle some of the most challenging problems in therapeutics.
💡 A Day in the Life
Your typical day might involve a morning pitch meeting with a potential seed investor, followed by a strategy session with the founding team to refine the AI's value proposition. Afternoons could include a call with a pharma partner exploring a pilot, and time spent reviewing technical milestones with the science lead, ending with a board update on fundraising progress.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Deep Science Ventures Is Looking For
- A proven founder or C-suite executive who has personally led a company through at least one priced venture round, ideally in deep-tech, AI, or biotech.
- A strong network of investors in deep-tech, AI, bio, or health, with a track record of successfully raising venture capital and closing partnerships or pilots.
- Commercially savvy with a history of securing paying customers and strategic partnerships in pharma or biotech, and comfortable in technical/scientific discussions with domain experts.
- UK-based and ready to commit full-time from spin-out, with the resilience and adaptability to build a company from scratch in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.
📝 Tips for Applying to Deep Science Ventures
Tailor your application to explicitly show how you've personally led fundraising (e.g., 'Led Series A raise of $X from investors including Y'), not just 'raised capital' as part of a team.
Highlight your investor network in AI or biotech specifically—mention names of funds or partners you have relationships with that are relevant to drug discovery.
Demonstrate your ability to engage in technical discussions: briefly reference a scientific or AI concept related to drug discovery and how you've navigated it in past roles.
Emphasize any experience with spin-outs or venture building, as DSV's model is unique—show you understand the process from lab to company.
Be explicit about your UK location and readiness to commit full-time immediately; DSV values founders who are fully embedded in the ecosystem.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your personal experience leading a company and raising venture capital, with specific examples of rounds led and investor relationships built.', 'Your commercial track record in pharma/biotech, including partnerships, pilots, or customer acquisitions that are directly transferable to drug discovery.', "Your alignment with Deep Science Ventures' mission of restoring ecosystems and reversing global heating—connect your work to planetary impact.", 'Your ability to bridge technical and business worlds, with evidence of credible discussions with scientists or AI experts.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review Deep Science Ventures' portfolio companies and their spin-out process to understand how they support founders and what stage they typically fund.
- → Study the specific AI reasoning approach mentioned in the job—look into recent advances in AI for drug discovery (e.g., generative models, reasoning engines) to speak knowledgeably.
- → Research the UK biotech ecosystem, including key investors, academic partners, and regulatory considerations for AI-driven therapeutics.
- → Look into DSV's mission statement and recent news about their ecosystem restoration projects to connect your personal values to their broader impact.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Avoid generic language about 'leading teams' or 'raising capital' without specific, quantified examples that demonstrate personal ownership.
- Don't overlook the scientific aspect—if you lack a deep science background, show how you've partnered with scientists or learned quickly in past roles.
- Avoid implying you want to stay remote or part-time; DSV explicitly requires UK-based full-time commitment from spin-out.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Deep Science Ventures!