Website Acumen
About Acumen
Acumen, founded in 2001, is a non-profit global venture fund that uses entrepreneurial approaches to solve the problems of poverty. The organization matches leadership and financial investment in social enterprises dedicated to improving the lives of low-income people. Acumen America, a regional branch since 2015, specifically targets investments toward companies working to alleviate poverty in the United States. By focusing on sectors like financial inclusion, workforce development, and healthcare, Acumen America has invested in 43 companies, significantly impacting over 26 million low-income Americans. The organization values diversity, with 63% of its portfolio companies having a founder of color and 47% having a female founder.
About this Role
Acumen America is seeking an Investment Associate to join its San Francisco-based team, focusing on US venture investments. The position requires a minimum of 3 years’ experience in investment or related fields, commitment to tackling poverty, and an ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, startup environment. The role demands boldness, creativity, and meticulous data management to support the deal life cycle and post-investment processes. The Associate will engage with a diverse portfolio of companies committed to addressing poverty in America. This role includes operations management, investment sourcing, due diligence, and portfolio performance reporting. The Associate will work closely with senior team members and report to the Principal, requiring significant collaboration within the team.
Responsibilities
- Oversee portfolio and impact data systems to maintain accurate data on pipeline, portfolio, and impact metrics.
- Ensure timely data collection for impact management systems.
- Support the team in closing transactions.
- Manage weekly and quarterly pipeline and portfolio management processes.
- Build internal dashboards for impact reporting of portfolio companies.
- Identify and review a pipeline of investment opportunities providing products and services to low-income individuals.
- Conduct industry and trend research to inform strategies that produce deal flow.
- Support due diligence and investment analysis, including financial modeling and valuation review.
- Prepare and maintain investment documentation for Acumen America’s Investment Committee.
- Document key metrics to measure social and financial returns of portfolio companies.
- Analyze and document data-driven explanations for intervention decisions.
- Extract and document portfolio-wide insights to share valuable patterns and lessons for marketing and fundraising.
- Actively support mid-year and annual review of the portfolio.
Requirements
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in venture capital, private equity, investment banking, or investment management.
- Experience with financial and operational due diligence in early-stage businesses.
- Bachelor’s Degree.
- Strong financial modeling and business analysis skills.
- Demonstrated project management skills with ownership and end-to-end deliverable management.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills for presenting clear analyses to stakeholders.
- Initiative-driven and able to meet deadlines independently.
- Excellent relationship and interpersonal skills, demonstrating courtesy, tact, and patience.
- Self-reflective and aligned with Acumen America’s values.
- Familiarity with social enterprise and impact investing sectors, with a commitment to serving the poor.
- Authorization to work in the U.S.
- Based in San Francisco or willing to relocate.
Benefits
- Performance-based bonus.
- Opportunity to work with a diverse team.
- Engage in meaningful work to alleviate poverty.
- Potential for professional growth within a respected impact investing organization.
- Access to a network of social entrepreneurs and innovators.
