Associate Position

Founded in 2013, Prelude Ventures (“Prelude”) is an early-stage venture capital firm partnering with entrepreneurs to address climate change. Since its founding, Prelude has invested in over 70 companies across advanced energy, food and agriculture, transportation and logistics, advanced materials and manufacturing, the built environment, and advanced computing. The firm, its founders and its team have a long-term commitment to the sector – Prelude invests early and accepts informed risks. The team fuses a fundamental emphasis on venture-level returns with a deep understanding of the challenges of frontier technologies and markets to back the most promising technologies and entrepreneurs in climate tech.
 

Today, Prelude Ventures has built a market leading position in the climate tech space with almost $2B under management.
Prelude is driven by the belief that the transition to the low-carbon economy is the greatest investment opportunity of this century. We seek out entrepreneurs, founders, and co-investors building the next generation of category-defining businesses who share their deep commitment to climate and vision for the better future. We are based in San Francisco, CA.

The Associate will be responsible for engaging in a variety of investment-related activities, including evaluating investment opportunities and deep dives into new thesis areas. The Associate will also be involved in various aspects of firm daily business, including supporting our existing portfolio companies and fund administration. The associate will work under the direct supervision of the Managing Directors, partners, and principals of the firm.

Diligence investment opportunities

• Perform financial, technical, market, and competitive landscape diligence
• Create and analyze financial statements and models including sensitivity and scenario analysis
• Plan and conduct market research, customer calls, and expert interviews 

Collaborate with other members of the Investment Team to scope new investment areas

• Execute deep dives by planning and conducting market research, analyzing industry sources of data, attending conferences/events, and engaging topical experts
• Proactively identify and engage with companies and entrepreneurs
• Communicate findings and conclusions to other members of the investment team via written and verbal reports

Support existing portfolio companies and fund administration

• Perform ad hoc financial and operational analyses for Portfolio Company CEOs and C-Suite
• Content creation for Prelude-hosted events, speaking engagements, and other brand-building activities
• Manage fund cash flow analysis and investment models

Other responsibilities as determined by the Managing Directors

• Demonstrated interest in entrepreneurship or start-ups
• Passion for solving climate change
• Deep intellectual curiosity and strong work ethic
• Exceptional interpersonal, analytical, and written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in financial statements and financial models
• Strong modeling and data analysis skills using Microsoft Excel and potentially other tools
• Technical experience, education, and/or science aptitude; BS in engineering or science preferred
• Ability to work independently and excel in an unstructured environment
• Based in (or willing to relocate to) the Bay Area
• At least 2 – 4 years of relevant work experience and a bachelor’s degree; note this is a non-MBA or pre-MBA role