Yes. It looks like they are looking to find other sources of non-correlated return premia. The motivation of asset managers is all too common. The actual economic research is very tedious, but it is very similar to the research done by the CME in trying to design a new trading product. Talking to these managers will tell you if they are at your level. The actual execution strategy is probably not that important only that it efficiently captures the premia and is scalable. It is much easier to hire the guy who designed the implementation and the fire him when the premia is gone. This is the constant source of confusion for traders who know how to make money in a product, but wonder why the asset managers/banks lay them off. If they ask too much about your implementation details early in the game, then you have the prerogative in breaking off the talk.
Whatever the goal deal is beneficial. I wish the best. Talent is not a thing that you can see everyday and you never know where it could be.
This is never about one metric. This is about finding a market neutral strategy they are not employing right now and providing a compelling case that makes them feel like they are missing out on working with you if they don't offer you employment or a deal. You have to sell your strategy and yourself. They have the capacity to employ you or invest in a new fund and promote the growth of that fund. They have made it clear what they don't want but are open to new strategies they have not thought of.
For the short trades, you have 4 trades total. One of them lost $725, and the other three together made $4206. How did you derive the Sharpe ratio of 9088 from that distribution?