Job Description:

As an AI/ML Engineer at Next Unicorn, you will lead the design and development of our AI matchmaking & Startup Success Fit Score, a core differentiator of our platform. Our AI matchmaking feature connects investors with startups that align with their thesis, based on responses to targeted questions from both sides

The Startup Success Fit Score predicts the likelihood of a startup succeeding beyond its first five years in a given industry. This is a hands-on role that gives you ownership of the data models, algorithms, and evaluation systems that power investor decision-making. You will work closely with the founding team to transform complex startup and investment data into actionable insights.

NOTE: This is an equity based opportunity. However, after fundraising we will be paying competitive salaries plus equity.

Company Overview

At Next Unicorn, we are building a platform to address one of early-stage funding’s most critical challenges: startup visibility. Our platform provides investors with the infrastructure to seamlessly discover, evaluate, and invest in high potential startups all within one centralized and secure environment.

Responsibilities:

• Design and implement the AI matchmaking engine that connects investors with startups aligned to their theses, using responses from targeted questionnaires provided by both sides.
• Design, develop, and validate the Startup Success Fit Score model, ensuring completion.
• Collect, preprocess, and manage diverse data sources (startup financials, market benchmarks, growth metrics, etc.).
• Implement machine learning pipelines for training, testing, and deploying predictive models.
• Collaborate with other teams to integrate the model into the platform.
• Monitor performance and refine to ensure accuracy, fairness, and scalability.
• Stay ahead of the curve on AI/ML methods, particularly in predictive analytics and fintech applications.

Who You Are:

• Strong background in machine learning, predictive modeling, and data science.
• Proficient in Python, ML libraries (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn), and data pipelines.
• Experience with large datasets, feature engineering, and model evaluation.
• Familiar with fintech, investment data, or risk modeling (a strong plus).
• A builder at heart—comfortable taking ownership and iterating quickly in an early-stage environment.
• Excited by equity ownership and the opportunity to shape a market-defining product.

What We Offer:

• Equity-first role: You will join as part of the core team with significant ownership in the company.
• Transition to competitive salary + equity once funding is secured.
• The chance to work on a flagship AI feature with real-world impact on startups and investors.