Job Title

Venture Capital Investor

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About Sand River

Sand River is an investor which engages collaborative capital to have a positive impact on nature. Sand River exclusively supports and invests in businesses that value, protect and restore nature. The team takes a systemic view of the risks of damaging natural assets and the opportunities in restoring them. Investing in nature – Earth's living systems – represents the most significant investment opportunity of our era. Sand River was founded by Greg Robson and Edward Thorne and is named after a river in Sabi Sands, a conservation area in South Africa. Rivers are sensitive ecosystems that are indicative of the health of their catchment area. Find out more: www.sandriver.vc

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The role

As Venture Capital Investor you will be an essential part of our team; we are looking for someone who is passionate about nature and who wants to work in the start-up space. As an early hire you would work closely alongside the two partners of Sand River and have the opportunity to be a key part of shaping the firm’s investment strategy, building the portfolio and developing the brand. 


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You will analyse market trends, help source and qualify investment opportunities, and build up strong investment cases. By liaising directly with start-ups you will help us identify the most impactful ventures, founders, and business ideas in the nature space. Sand River is also playing a role in supporting the growing community of nature-focussed investors, founders, and thought leaders and you would help curate and plan inspiring events and produce some related content.

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Why join Sand River?

• ‍Have a major impact. Your everyday work will support businesses and people that will change the way nature is valued, restored, and protected. 

• ‍Work with partners and executive teams at eye-level. Our small team and inclusive culture  means that you will take project ownership and contribute with your own ideas and experience from day one.
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• Get things done. We focus on results and turning visions into reality efficiently – not on how long you stay in the office. None of us are specialists and we encourage you to try and learn new things in a blame-free environment. 
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• Be inspired. You will work with a talented community of ambitious people that are changing the world. The field is still emerging and you would be at its forefront. Your work would also regularly take you to beautiful natural places. We also provide the opportunity to work remotely for periods.
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• Grow with us. We want you to become a core team member and are ready to invest in your career progress and give you space to explore your talents and interests.

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Your tasks & responsibilities

Portfolio selection and support of our existing investments are at the core of our business at all times. Their success is ours. So, everything you do is ultimately in support of building a highly successful portfolio of innovative businesses that are doing important work for the natural world.

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• Help refine and execute our strategy on how to identify the best new ventures, in various markets and industries, that will help protect, restore and value nature. 

• Evaluate business ideas and build the foundation of our selection decisions by conducting market research, deep-diving into new industry sectors, due diligence of proposed pitch decks, validating hypotheses by interviewing experts and potential users/customers, etc.

• Conduct financial analysis and technical research at all stages of the deal flow incl. financial models, metrics analysis, and competitive analysis.

• Support in all fields of portfolio management, such as business and financial plan validation, tracking of key metrics and reporting.

• Communicate complex ideas simply. Assist the investment team in translating complex financial and technological analysis into simple and high-quality communication for investors (teaser, DD report, quarterly reporting, etc.).

• Attend pitch events for our portfolio, meet entrepreneurs, industry partners, and thought leaders, and build relationships within the ecosystem to help accelerate the growth of our portfolio ventures and identify new investment opportunities.

• The two partners live in Gloucestershire, spending a few days each week in London. One of the partners is South African and also spends a couple of months a year there. You would be able to work from either London or Gloucestershire. But would need to spend one or two days each week at whichever one you’re not based at. You would be able to work from home a few days each week. In addition, subject to approval each time, we allow remote work for up to 6 weeks from another country of your choice.

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What you need to succeed?

• We are looking for applicants with diverse backgrounds and welcome candidates who are new to the VC world but eager to learn. What matters to us most is your motivation and passion for nature and helping start-ups. 

• Outstanding analytical skills with attention to detail, ability to research quantitative and qualitative topics.

• A creative problem-solving mindset with the ability to tackle various conceptual and strategic topics in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to be collaborative and effectively communicate with diverse target groups, incl. start-ups, investors, corporate partners, etc.

• A self-starter and a strong team player with the ability to prioritise and manage many tasks in parallel.

• Min. 2 years of relevant work experience either as an Investment Analyst or similar (i.e. Venture Capital, Consulting, Start-up, Private Equity, Audit/ Controlling), and or in the Nature sphere but with relevant education or experience that would allow you to perform the functions of an investor. 

• University degree from a good institution, Master’s degree desired but not required. Preferably in business, finance, economics, natural science, ecology, sustainability or similar fields.

• Fluency in English. Further languages would be an asset.