SF Bay Area or LA – Powerplant Ventures – Associate (MBA only)

Overview:

Powerplant Ventures is a growth equity fund investing in emerging consumer food & beverage, foodservice and food-tech companies. We provide capital, strategic guidance, and operating expertise to visionary entrepreneurs building businesses that are transforming how food is manufactured, distributed and consumed. Our mission is to re-architect our global food system by advancing world changing companies that deliver better nutrition in more sustainable and ethical ways.

In 2015, we raised $42MM for PPV Fund I and have 15 current portfolio companies. Within the consumer packaged food & beverage sector, we have made investments in breakout brands such as Beyond Meat, Ripple Foods, and REBBL Beverages. We have also backed several innovative tech-enabled foodservice companies such as Farmers Fridge and Oh My Greens. And last, within our tech vertical, we are invested in world changing companies such as Apeel Sciences and Thrive Market.

With Fund I fully deployed and showing early success, we have currently raised $100MM for PPV Fund II, and anticipate raising $150MM to close out the fund.

Investment Strategy:

PPV Fund II is looking to make 10-12 investments in companies generating sales between $2-$20MM and looking to raise Series A/B rounds. Ideally, we are the lead or co-lead investor writing a first check between $4-$8MM and supporting our companies in subsequent rounds up to $15MM in each portfolio company.

Opportunity:

Position: Sr. Associate
Location: San Francisco Bay Area (Mill Valley) or LA (Hermosa Beach) Start Date: TBD

Description

PPV seeks an Associate to join its four Managing Partners. As a firm, we have identified 6 broad functions that serve as value drivers to ensure success of our fund: (1) LP Management, (2) Deal Sourcing, (3) Diligence and Deal Structuring, (4) Portfolio Company Operations, (5) Deal Realization, and (6) GP Management. The successful candidate will support the firm in all aspects of our business, but key focus areas will be: (1) Deal Sourcing (2) Investment Diligence and Deal Structuring and (3) Portfolio Company value-add operations/guidance/analysis.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Working with the Senior Partners to develop and research investment theses. Examples of work include deep industry and category reports and sector mapping projects.
• Attending industry conferences and developing relationships with companies and intermediaries (e.g., bankers, industry players, consultants) to source investments.
• Take an active and hands-on role with the review, analysis and modeling of prospective investment opportunities
• Assisting in deal diligence and deal execution (including market, customer and competitive analysis; financial modeling; and, deal structuring)
• Working with portfolio companies and supporting Senior Partners as necessary for board level work and strategic operations.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will ideally have at least 3 years of work experience in VC or Private Equity with a focus on the consumer sector, specifically consumer food & beverage. Investment Banking, Equity Research or CEO/CFO backgrounds also viewed favorably. The candidate will have demonstrated an ability to source, review, model and perform due diligence on prospective investments. This person will have superior analytical skills (required expertise in modeling earnings, building cap tables and waterfall models), excellent writing and research skills, as well as a comprehensive understanding of accounting and finance principles. It is important that the person have both the willingness and capability to assist in the investment process at every stage, including all analytics and screening of potential investments, in addition to sourcing.

The successful candidate’s prior experience will include increasing responsibilities with external constituents, such that he/she will have experience interacting with portfolio company management teams,negotiating,marketing,andperformingexternalduediligence. Thepersonwillhaveoutstanding interpersonal skills and the charisma, presence and maturity to establish credibility and inspire confidence both inside and outside the firm. Ideally the candidate will also have an established, growing and active professional network in the industry.

The candidate is expected to have an exceptional work ethic and a background evidencing a high level of achievement. He/she must be energetic and highly motivated in addition to being comfortable in a small firm environment. Furthermore, he or she must be committed to a healthy lifestyle consistent with Powerplant’s mission and values. The candidate must be a self-starter with a positive, “can do” attitude as no task should be too big or too small for him/her. The candidate should be able to discharge his/her responsibilities with minimal supervision or oversight while maintaining a sense of urgency. This person should be detail-oriented with superior communication and organization skills and have the ability to effectively manage large quantities of information and multiple projects.