About Accion
Accion is a global nonprofit committed to creating a financially inclusive world, with a pioneering legacy in microfinance and fintech impact investing. We catalyze service providers to create economic opportunities and deliver high-quality, affordable solutions at scale for the three billion people who are left out of — or poorly served by — the financial sector. For 60 years, Accion has helped tens of millions of people through our work with more than 170 partners in 55 countries. More at http://www.accion.org
About Venture Lab
Venture Lab is an Accion-sponsored initiative to invest in and support seed-stage financial inclusion enterprises, catalyzing innovation in financial inclusion and enhancing the way financial services are delivered to the poor. Venture Lab focuses on companies that are post-R&D but have not yet proven their concept or achieved meaningful revenue traction, filling the support gap for seed-stage companies. Venture Lab prioritizes investment opportunities in East Africa, South Asia, and Latin America, but is globally opportunistic, leveraging Accion’s global footprint and 50-years of experience investing in and building financial services business in emerging markets.
Venture Lab provides financial support as well as strategic and operational support to its investees. We are seeking an Extern to support both our investment and Portfolio Engagement and Platform functions. The role is highly entrepreneurial, spanning emerging market venture investing, consulting, operations, and entrepreneurship, with a focus on cutting edge innovation in financial inclusion. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to provide post-investment support across the portfolio, furthering the growth and success of our investees and building the financial inclusion ecosystem.
Position Responsibilities
- Provide in-depth strategic and operational support to portfolio companies. This will include engaging with companies to identify areas of need, developing and scoping projects, and executing on these projects. Projects focus on growth and scale; past projects include:
- Process improvement and growth strategy for a SME lending business in India
- Customer segmentation and channel strategy for a digitized savings circle business in the US
- Product development and sales strategy for a value-chain based SME lender in Tanzania
- Grassroots marketing strategy for an innovative remittance business operating along the US-Mexico corridor
- Acquisition of wholesale debt for a mobile-money merchant payments processor and lender in Kenya
- Pricing and promotions strategy for healthcare and health insurance provider in India
- Business model evolution for a healthcare lending business in Mexico
- Support our Investment Team with sourcing and evaluating potential opportunities. This may include:
- Responding to inbound emails from founders seeking investment
- Collaborating with regional Investment Officers to evaluate deal opportunities
- Assisting with the due diligence process, including financial modeling, deal preparation for investment committees, and interviewing company executives
- Supporting the Investment Officer in deal structure and negotiation.
- Proactively develop knowledge resources and thought leadership, including supporting the Head of Community with event strategy and structure (virtual and in-person).
Position Qualifications
- Strong entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for entrepreneurship and market-based solutions to poverty.
- Strong research and analysis skills, including financial analytics.
- Outstanding relationship management skills and ability to earn respect of Accion colleagues, investors and enterprises. Existing network within impact investing and/or financial inclusion a plus.
- Exceptional written, communication and presentation skills, and comfortable moving seamlessly between boardroom and field.
- Domain expertise in financial services and/or financial inclusion, particularly financial technology, payment systems, and/or innovative delivery models.
- Experience working in or with startups or growth-stage enterprises in emerging markets.
- Relevant experience in financial services, management consulting and/or VC/PE investing.
- Language skills beyond English strongly preferred.
Please submit a cover letter along with your resume.