About EF
Entrepreneurs First invests in exceptional individuals to build startups from scratch. We exist to amplify ambition, alter career trajectories, and shape the future. We find exceptional talent to form exceptional teams to build exceptional companies. We’ve backed thousands of founders at the earliest stage, creating >$15B in value. Examples include GenZ fintech Cleo AI, encrypted blockchain protocol Aztec, and diamond marketplace Nivoda. EF has pioneered global Talent Investing since 2014 and is backed by some of the world's leading founders and investors including Patrick and John Collison (Stripe); Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn), and Demis Hassabis (Google Deepmind).
The role
We're hiring an Associate for our Portfolio Investment team in London. You'll drive EF's follow‑on investments across 500+ active portfolio companies, from Seed to Series B — leading investment memos and due diligence, presenting recommendations to EF's investment committee, and building deep relationships with founders you'll know from their earliest days. You'll also translate portfolio insights into compelling narratives for our LP base, which includes some of the most prominent names in tech investing. Most VCs only see founders after they've already built something. EF sees them first — we invest in people before they have a company, connect them with co‑founders, and back them from formation through to Series B and beyond. EF has a fundamentally different relationship with the portfolio: we know these founders from day zero.
Why this isn’t a typical VC associate seat
You won't be sourcing cold deals or chasing access. EF's deal flow comes from within — you'll have proprietary context on every company, genuine influence over investment decisions, and a front‑row seat to how exceptional founders build from scratch. You'll work across the full investment lifecycle and sit at the intersection of portfolio strategy, founder relations, and investor engagement. The learning curve is steep. The exposure is exceptional.
What We’re Looking For
A sharp, analytically rigorous thinker — ideally 2‑4 years at a top‑tier strategy consulting firm (MBB or equivalent). You're a high performer who builds financial models, synthesises complex data into clear strategic recommendations, and presents confidently to senior stakeholders. Prior VC or startup experience is a bonus, not a requirement — what matters most is the quality of your thinking and your ability to form defensible commercial views.
What We Offer
* Competitive salary (£65-80k) with performance bonus
* Hybrid working from our Hoxton office
* Enhanced parental leave and an end‑of‑year shutdown
* Most importantly: a small, high‑impact team where your work directly shapes EF's investment strategy, alongside some of the best founders and investors in the ecosystem
Hiring process
* Initial call with the hiring manager (15 mins)
* Task round
* Facet5 profiling
* Debrief on the task and Facet5 profiling, plus second stage interview at our London office with hiring manager (90 mins)
* Final interviews to meet members of the team and wider cross‑functional stakeholders (60 mins)
* Pre‑offer reference calls with previous managers
* Offer
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