The Role
As Founder in Residence, you'll identify and develop AI-centric businesses, create MVPs, lead teams, and secure stakeholder buy-in while transitioning successful ventures to long-term leadership roles.
Summary Generated by Built In
WHO WE ARE
We are PEAK6, a leading investment firm, using technology to find a better way of doing things. The company's first tech-based solution was developed in 1997 to optimize options trading, and over the past two decades, the same formula has been used across a range of industries, asset classes, and business stages to consistently deliver superior results. Today, PEAK6 seeks transformational opportunities to provide capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs and forward-thinking businesses. PEAK6's core brands include PEAK6 Capital Management, PEAK6 Strategic Capital, Apex Fintech Solutions, FOCUS, We Insure, Evil Geniuses, Poker Power, Zogo, and Bruce Markets.
ABOUT THIS ROLE
About PEAK6 AI Strategies
PEAK6 AI Strategies is dedicated to pioneering next-generation AI-driven businesses and solutions. As part of our commitment to innovation, we are launching a Founder in Residence program designed to attract top entrepreneurial talent eager to transform disruptive ideas into scalable ventures within a supportive environment.
As Founder in Residence, you will be the entrepreneurial force behind the identification, incubation, and launch of new AI-centric businesses. Working closely with the PEAK6 AI Strategies leadership and technical teams, you'll validate market opportunities, develop MVPs, and lay the foundation for operationally independent, high-growth ventures.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify, research, and validate high-potential business opportunities aligned with PEAK6 strategies.
- Develop comprehensive business cases including market sizing, customer discovery, competitive analysis, go-to-market plans, and financial models.
- Rapidly test and iterate on MVPs, leveraging PEAK6's internal resources and networks.
- Assemble and lead cross-functional teams as necessary (engineering, product, design, etc.).
- Secure buy-in and sponsorship from internal and external stakeholders.
- Develop initial operational, GTM, and hiring plans for new ventures.
- Act as the "founder" serving as the primary advocate and decision-maker through ideation, validation, launch, and initial scaling phases.
- Report venture progress to executive leadership and incorporate feedback.
- Transition successful ventures to full-time leadership or continued executive sponsorship.
What We Offer
- Access to PEAK6 resources, expertise, capital, and networks.
- The opportunity to build and scale new ventures with real-world impact.
- Mentorship from seasoned founders, investors, and AI experts.
- Pathway to become founding CEO or take a leadership role in a spun-out venture.
Your Experience
- Proven track record as a founder, co-founder, or key early employee at a venture-backed startup, or equivalent entrepreneurial experience.
- Deep understanding of AI/ML technologies and commercial applications.
- Strong analytical, strategic, and financial modeling skills.
- Exceptional ability to operate in ambiguity and drive structure.
- Experience recruiting and leading multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience with customer discovery and product validation.
- Network within the startup, investor, and AI/tech communities is a strong plus.
- Relentless drive, resilience, and a founder's mindset.
OUR REWARDS
We offer a robust package of employee perks and benefits, including healthcare benefits (medical, dental and vision, EAP), competitive PTO, 401k match, parental leave, and HSA contribution match. We also provide our employees with a paid subscription to the Calm app and offer generous external learning and tuition reimbursement benefits. As a hybrid workforce, we offer our employees the ability to work remotely up to two days a week.
PEAK6 is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other protected characteristic. Our hiring practices ensure that all qualified applicants receive fair consideration without regard to these characteristics.
PEAK6 is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace for all candidates, including those with disabilities. We are dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, please contact our HR department at [email protected]. We will work with you to provide the necessary accommodations to ensure your full participation in our hiring process.
#PEAK6
We are PEAK6, a leading investment firm, using technology to find a better way of doing things. The company's first tech-based solution was developed in 1997 to optimize options trading, and over the past two decades, the same formula has been used across a range of industries, asset classes, and business stages to consistently deliver superior results. Today, PEAK6 seeks transformational opportunities to provide capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs and forward-thinking businesses. PEAK6's core brands include PEAK6 Capital Management, PEAK6 Strategic Capital, Apex Fintech Solutions, FOCUS, We Insure, Evil Geniuses, Poker Power, Zogo, and Bruce Markets.
ABOUT THIS ROLE
About PEAK6 AI Strategies
PEAK6 AI Strategies is dedicated to pioneering next-generation AI-driven businesses and solutions. As part of our commitment to innovation, we are launching a Founder in Residence program designed to attract top entrepreneurial talent eager to transform disruptive ideas into scalable ventures within a supportive environment.
As Founder in Residence, you will be the entrepreneurial force behind the identification, incubation, and launch of new AI-centric businesses. Working closely with the PEAK6 AI Strategies leadership and technical teams, you'll validate market opportunities, develop MVPs, and lay the foundation for operationally independent, high-growth ventures.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify, research, and validate high-potential business opportunities aligned with PEAK6 strategies.
- Develop comprehensive business cases including market sizing, customer discovery, competitive analysis, go-to-market plans, and financial models.
- Rapidly test and iterate on MVPs, leveraging PEAK6's internal resources and networks.
- Assemble and lead cross-functional teams as necessary (engineering, product, design, etc.).
- Secure buy-in and sponsorship from internal and external stakeholders.
- Develop initial operational, GTM, and hiring plans for new ventures.
- Act as the "founder" serving as the primary advocate and decision-maker through ideation, validation, launch, and initial scaling phases.
- Report venture progress to executive leadership and incorporate feedback.
- Transition successful ventures to full-time leadership or continued executive sponsorship.
What We Offer
- Access to PEAK6 resources, expertise, capital, and networks.
- The opportunity to build and scale new ventures with real-world impact.
- Mentorship from seasoned founders, investors, and AI experts.
- Pathway to become founding CEO or take a leadership role in a spun-out venture.
Your Experience
- Proven track record as a founder, co-founder, or key early employee at a venture-backed startup, or equivalent entrepreneurial experience.
- Deep understanding of AI/ML technologies and commercial applications.
- Strong analytical, strategic, and financial modeling skills.
- Exceptional ability to operate in ambiguity and drive structure.
- Experience recruiting and leading multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience with customer discovery and product validation.
- Network within the startup, investor, and AI/tech communities is a strong plus.
- Relentless drive, resilience, and a founder's mindset.
OUR REWARDS
We offer a robust package of employee perks and benefits, including healthcare benefits (medical, dental and vision, EAP), competitive PTO, 401k match, parental leave, and HSA contribution match. We also provide our employees with a paid subscription to the Calm app and offer generous external learning and tuition reimbursement benefits. As a hybrid workforce, we offer our employees the ability to work remotely up to two days a week.
PEAK6 is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other protected characteristic. Our hiring practices ensure that all qualified applicants receive fair consideration without regard to these characteristics.
PEAK6 is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace for all candidates, including those with disabilities. We are dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, please contact our HR department at [email protected]. We will work with you to provide the necessary accommodations to ensure your full participation in our hiring process.
#PEAK6
Skills Required
- Proven track record as a founder or key early employee at a venture-backed startup
- Deep understanding of AI/ML technologies and commercial applications
- Strong analytical, strategic, and financial modeling skills
- Experience recruiting and leading multidisciplinary teams
- Experience with customer discovery and product validation
What the Team is Saying
Devin Blizniak
Product Manager, PEAK6 Capital Management
Isaac Stern
Trader, PEAK6 Capital Management
Chuck Long
Head of Revenue, Zogo
Courtney Schroeder
Human Resources Project Manager
Paul Whalen
Staff Software Engineer, PEAK6 Capital Management
Erik Heinz
Director, Technology Services
PEAK6 Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage includes medical, dental, and vision insurance alongside mental‑health resources and an Employee Assistance Program. Plan options such as PPO/HSA indicate a comprehensive healthcare offering.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with company match is explicitly highlighted as “robust.” This points to meaningful employer-supported retirement savings as part of the core package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off includes “generous PTO,” paid holidays, and two paid volunteer days, with an eight‑week sabbatical available after long tenure. Paid parental leave and adoption assistance further expand the leave portfolio.
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The Company
What We Do
PEAK6 is not your typical investment firm. Here, we build and invest in businesses that span from finance and insurance to esports and education — and we're always seeking new opportunities. We're not defined by one industry or market. We activate "what is" into "what ought to be" through world-class technology, operational excellence, and purposeful design. We're in the business of doing, creating, and building the world with innovation and democratization in mind. Our team of opportunistic thinkers are generating new ideas while constantly improving, refining, and activating past ones. At PEAK6, it's not just our investments that make use great, but our people that make us valuable.
Why Work With Us
Ordinary doesn't apply here. We look for people who aren’t afraid to take chances, who bet on themselves and do it with confidence. People that dream up big ideas and ways to execute them. Epic storytellers, nimble problem solvers, imaginative entrepreneurs, and change-makers are all welcome.
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PEAK6 Teams
PEAK6 Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
As a hybrid workforce, we offer our employees the ability to work remotely up to two days a week.
Typical time on-site:
3 days a week
