Corporate Development

Sakana AI is looking for a Corporate Development professional to drive strategic partnerships, investments, and M&A opportunities that accelerate our growth and strengthen our position in the global AI landscape. With $412M raised and a unique technology platform, Sakana AI is in a strong position to pursue strategic transactions — and you will be the person who identifies, evaluates, and executes them.

In this role, you will scan the AI ecosystem for acquisition targets, investment opportunities, and strategic partnerships that complement our nature-inspired research and expand our market reach. You will build financial models, conduct due diligence, structure deal terms, negotiate with counterparties, and manage transactions through closing. You will also support fundraising activities and investor relations, working directly with the CEO and leadership team on the company's most consequential strategic decisions.

What makes corporate development at Sakana AI particularly exciting is the pace and dynamism of the AI market. New research labs, startups, and technologies emerge weekly, and the strategic landscape is constantly shifting. You will need to maintain a real-time map of the competitive landscape, identify opportunities before they become obvious, and move quickly when the right deal presents itself.

We are looking for someone who combines rigorous financial acumen with strategic intuition and strong relationship skills. You should be comfortable analyzing complex deals across multiple jurisdictions (Japan, US, Europe), building financial models under deep uncertainty, and presenting clear recommendations to senior leadership under time pressure.

Requirements:

• 5+ years of experience in corporate development, investment banking, venture capital, or strategic finance
• Strong financial modeling, valuation, and transaction structuring skills
• Experience executing M&A transactions, strategic investments, or complex partnership agreements
• Deep understanding of the AI/ML landscape, technology market dynamics, and competitive positioning
• Excellent negotiation skills and experience managing deal processes with multiple stakeholders
• Strong presentation and written communication abilities for board-level materials
• MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred; fluency in English and Japanese highly valued