Investment and Portfolio Associate, Accion Ventures

 

About Accion Impact Management (AIM):

Accion Impact Management is Accion’s platform for impact investments in financial inclusion leveraging third-party capital. Accion Impact Management manages Accion Ventures and Accion Digital Transformation and is a registered investment advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It is staffed by a team of investment professionals, working to harness the capital markets to provide high-quality and affordable financial services to people who are currently excluded from the financial system. More at https://accion.org/accionimpactmanagement.

 

About Accion Ventures:

Accion Ventures is an investment strategy that today manages early-stage investments for Accion Impact Management. Accion Ventures deploys capital into early-stage fintech startups that operate in countries worldwide. Investments managed by Accion Ventures have shown that early-stage companies can be highly impactful and have delivered multiple exits. More at https://www.accion.org/ventures.

Position Summary:

We are seeking an Investment and Portfolio Associate to join our team and provide critical support across the investment lifecycle. This role is designed for a motivated early-career professional who is eager to develop deep expertise in venture investing within the inclusive fintech space. The Associate will work closely with our global investments team, supporting them in evaluating potential investments, conducting research and financial analysis, and managing diligence workflows.

Additionally, the Associate is expected to provide support for our portfolio companies, contributing strategic and operational guidance to early-stage fintechs across our global portfolio, as well as identifying learnings that would benefit the broader ecosystem at large.

The Associate will be joining a diverse team of global investing and operational experts who have invested in over seventy early-stage fintech startups across five continents. The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya. They will report to the Operating Partner of Accion Ventures and can expect to receive high-quality coaching, mentorship, and guidance as they build a career in impact-focused venture capital.

The role is highly entrepreneurial with high degrees of ownership and self-motivation, offering exposure to emerging market venture investing, financial analysis, and the operations of early-stage companies, with a focus on cutting-edge innovation in inclusive fintech. 

   

Position Responsibilities: 

Investment Diligence & Analysis

• Provide hands-on support to the investment team across all stages of the diligence process. This includes supporting the identification and tracking of potential investment opportunities, conducting prescreening analysis of inbound deal flow, performing background research on companies, markets, and sectors, building and maintaining financial models, preparing investment memoranda, and supporting deal transaction processes. Assist investments team in evaluating companies across Ventures’ target regions (Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the United States).

Research & Thesis Development

• Contribute to the development of investment theses by conducting market research, competitive landscape analyses, and sector deep dives. Synthesize findings into clear, well-structured presentations and briefs that inform the team’s investment strategy.

Strategic and Operational Portfolio Support

• Support the Portfolio Engagement function by assisting with post-investment activities. This may include gathering data for portfolio monitoring, supporting the development of strategic recommendations for portfolio companies, and participating in engagements with founders to address operational challenges and growth opportunities.

  

Position Qualifications:

 

Required

• Bachelor’s degree and 2-5 years of relevant experience in venture capital, private equity, investment banking, management consulting, financial analysis, and/or technology startups.
• A minimum of 2 years' experience working at a top-tier consulting firm is preferred.
• Experience working with external stakeholders, ideally early-stage founders, in a “client-facing” setting, having scoped and developed strategic or operational plans that can be effectively implemented and measured.
• Passion for entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and market-based solutions to poverty.
• Strong research and analytical skills, including financial modeling and data analysis.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, high-performing team environment, and ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present findings clearly and concisely.
• Advanced computer/web skills including Word/Excel/PowerPoint.
• Interested in Accion’s mission and working across emerging markets.

Preferred

• Experience working in a top management consulting firm across diverse sectors. We are agnostic about the sectors you may have served as a management consultant.
• Experience working in or with startups or growth-stage enterprises, particularly in emerging markets.
• Domain experience or strong interest in financial services, financial technology, payment systems, and/or mobile money.
• Language skills beyond English.

Travel Requirements:

• Ability and willingness to travel regionally and globally up to 20%.

Accion is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace culture. Accion seeks qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, change of sex or transgender status, or any other basis protected by law. Accion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.