Investment Associate

Job Description

About Us: Founders Factory Africa (FFA) is unlike any place else you’ve ever worked. We are an early-stage VC and venture builder dedicated to solving some of Africa’s biggest challenges and capitalising on its incredible potential by leveraging market and tech opportunities. We believe that by providing exceptional founders with capital, expert operational support, and access to a global network of corporates, investors, and entrepreneurs, founders can build and scale faster. We have invested in 60 companies across the continent, and we will invest in another 105 over the next five years.

Our Culture Our goals are audacious, and we want to work with people who share our passion for pursuing transformation at scale. We believe that good ideas can come from anywhere - not just the top - and we love to build our way out of uncertainty. At FFA, you will work with and meet outstanding and diverse talent from across the continent and help us build a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive network. You will work faster (and learn faster) than you ever have before. With offices in Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, and London, we are building an ambitious, talented, and passionate team, ensuring that Founders Factory Africa is the continent’s best partner for founders.

The Role: We are looking to hire an Investment Associate to support our efforts in sourcing and qualifying early-stage startups in Africa. The successful candidate will support our ecosystem engagement efforts to source and identify promising startups and support the investment process to ensure Investment Committee approvals. The candidate will need to have a good understanding of technology and business models and have existing networks and exposure to the startup world within Africa.

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Key Responsibilities:

Sourcing new investment opportunities and leading ecosystem engagement efforts:

• Support in developing and maintaining an active partnership referral network within the African Tech ecosystem
• Conduct market analysis and keep up to speed with sector trends and market performance
• Support deep dives, industry analysis, and market mapping
• Source, identify, and evaluate new investment opportunities - startups and founders
• Attend, participate, and host industry events to promote FFA venture programs, working together with the rest of the investment team.

Screening, Qualifying, and presenting opportunities at the Investment Committee - support on converting investment opportunities

• Support on all aspects of the pre-due diligence process (initial screening, qualification process, and internal stakeholder socialisation)
• Conduct thorough opportunities assessment, including market and competitor analysis, technical due diligence, impact modelling, and financial model review as part of the deal team
• Prepare documentation to sell new investment opportunities internally and to the Investment Committee

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Candidate Profile:

• Have a minimum of 1 year of experience in a similar venture capital fund and a total of 3 years of work experience
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, able to build a network, source companies, and develop relationships with top African entrepreneurs and other tech/entrepreneurship ecosystem players in key markets across Africa
• An analytical mind able to qualify and understand different concepts and business models
• Independently be able to form views around investment decisions, make recommendations, and present deals to senior colleagues
• Be proficient in Excel and comfortable manipulating data and building financial models
• Knowledge and experience building financial models
• Extensive knowledge, enthusiasm for, and interest in technology and start-ups
• A self-starter who thrives in an autonomous role, with excellent prioritisation, self-organisation, and execution skills

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