The ideal candidate for this senior role will have a strong foundation in early-stage venture capital, with experience in sourcing transactions, managing due diligence, structuring investments, and serving on portfolio company Boards. The candidate would also ideally have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by founders and a demonstrated ability to support companies through their growth journey. This role is a unique opportunity to sit at the intersection of globally relevant technologies and their applications by founders in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the ability to invest across the early-stage venture capital landscape from Pre-Seed to Series A stages (with room at Equator for follow-on funding at Series B+ stages). The Investment Director will work across both investment teams and support collaboration and knowledge sharing between the organizations.

Key Responsibilities

• Source investment opportunities aligned with our investment theses. These opportunities could span from Pre-Seed to Series A stage companies, both global technology companies with unique relevance to the African market as well as companies currently based in Africa.

• Drive due diligence process. Assess target markets (including site visits and interviews with customers), evaluate competitive landscapes, determine potential for growth and scalability, review business models, revenue streams, financial statements, projections and exit pathways, evaluate intellectual property, assess management team capabilities and experience, assess potential ESG risks and opportunities, etc. Perform required due diligence analyses and present deal to Investment Committees.

• Identify post-investment value creation opportunities. Support portfolio companies in collaboration with the investment team and the broader network. Maintain close relationships with founders and companies, including potentially serving on Boards.

• Mentor the investment team. Work collaboratively with Factor E and Equator’s broader investment teams and provide guidance and support to junior team members.

• Develop West Africa market-based ecosystem and insights. Continue to build the reputation and presence of Factor E and Equator in the region – engaging with the broader venture ecosystem, founders and entrepreneurs, co-investor networks, as well as attending and/or speaking at regional conferences & events. Use market-based insights to inform and improve our investment theses.

Qualifications

• 7 years of relevant investor experience, including exposure to African markets, and experience in early-stage venture capital.

• A passion for technological innovation within the energy, agriculture, mobility, and/or water sectors with a deep curiosity and desire to develop sectoral expertise.

• Investment and financial literacy.

• Experience working with or in senior management teams/Boards of high-growth companies.

• Experience representing firms externally at public events and with partners and investees.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with diverse stakeholders.

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively present to a variety of audiences.

Personal Attributes:

+Strong alignment with our mission.

• Curiosity and a hands-on approach to understanding market challenges and the innovative solutions that Factor E and Equator invest in.

• Strong innovation management skills with an ability to bring creative ideas to market.

• Sound judgment in identifying viable innovative ideas, with an ability to manage the creative process of others and facilitate effective brainstorming sessions.

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in ambiguous environments, proactively driving results even when the path forward is not clearly defined.

• Positive, encouraging, and collaborative attitude.

• Experience and comfort working across global/remote teams.

• Personal connection to the African market.