How to apply for Founder in Residence, Building the Grid 10x Faster

About Deep Science Ventures

Deep Science Ventures builds new companies that work on Earth's future by restoring ecosystems and reversing global heating. This specific venture aims to reinvent high-voltage transmission tower construction to expand the grid faster. The founder receives a £250k pre-seed investment, a monthly income, and a majority equity stake.

About the role

You will build a venture to reinvent high-voltage transmission tower construction using modular, factory-produced components to cut costs and speed up grid expansion. You will evaluate technical approaches to fragment or modularise towers and foundations for off-site manufacture and rapid deployment. You will also develop the commercial strategy, including IP, differentiation, regulatory positioning, and a fundraising roadmap toward Series A.

A typical day

A typical day might involve evaluating technical designs for modular tower components, meeting with engineering partners, and refining the commercial strategy. You could also be preparing fundraising materials, researching regulatory pathways, or planning prototype tests. The role is remote, so you will manage your own schedule while collaborating with Deep Science Ventures and potential stakeholders.

Who Deep Science Ventures is looking for

• Deep expertise in structural systems design, modular construction, advanced connections, lightweight materials, foundation engineering, or robotic assembly.
• Full project lifecycle experience in grid or large infrastructure construction.
• Hands-on experience navigating regulatory requirements for infrastructure projects.
• Ability to evaluate and refine technical approaches for modularising transmission towers and foundations.
• Experience developing commercial strategy, including IP, differentiation, and fundraising.

Tips for this application

• Show direct experience with high-voltage transmission towers or large-scale grid infrastructure in your application.
• Provide specific examples of modular construction or off-site manufacturing projects you have led.
• Detail any regulatory navigation you have done for infrastructure projects, naming the agencies and processes.
• Explain how you would approach fragmenting transmission towers and foundations for factory production and rapid deployment.
• Outline a rough fundraising roadmap toward Series A for a hardware-heavy infrastructure venture.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your technical expertise in structural systems, modular construction, or foundation engineering for transmission towers.', 'Your full project lifecycle experience in grid or large infrastructure construction.', 'Your hands-on regulatory navigation experience in the energy or infrastructure sector.', 'Your vision for a commercial strategy that includes IP, differentiation, and a path to Series A.']

Research before applying

• Study Deep Science Ventures' previous ventures and their approach to building science-heavy companies.
• Research current high-voltage transmission tower construction methods, costs, and timelines.
• Investigate recent regulatory changes or initiatives for grid expansion in relevant markets.
• Look into modular construction techniques used in other large infrastructure sectors for transferable insights.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you modularise a high-voltage transmission tower and its foundation for off-site manufacture?
• What advanced connection or lightweight material solutions would you consider to reduce costs and speed deployment?
• Describe your experience navigating regulatory approvals for grid infrastructure projects.
• What is your fundraising roadmap to take this venture from pre-seed to Series A?
• How would you protect intellectual property for modular tower designs and manufacturing processes?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying without demonstrating specific experience in transmission towers or grid infrastructure.
• Focusing only on technical aspects and ignoring commercial strategy, IP, or fundraising requirements.
• Failing to show hands-on regulatory navigation experience in infrastructure projects.