Investment Director, West Africa

Job Description

Investment Director, West Africa

Factor E and Equator are looking to expand their global team with an experienced Investment Director reporting directly to the Partners of Factor E and Equator.

Factor E and Equator are complementary investment vehicles that target sequential venture growth stages and share a common sector focus and investment theses. As such, we work closely together in a variety of functions including sourcing and evaluating potential investment opportunities, as well as sharing a post-investment support platform to add value to the portfolio of companies across both organizations. The Investment Director will work across both investment teams with a common sector and thesis focus but will have the unique ability to invest across the Pre-Seed to Seed to Series A stages with both Factor E and Equator.

Position Title: Investment Director, West Africa

Location: West Africa, with a preference for Lagos, Nigeria. Flexibility to travel throughout West Africa, as well as to East and/or Southern Africa when required.

About Factor E
Factor E is an impact investment platform which identifies and invests in solutions to some of the world’s toughest climate and development problems. Operating at the intersection of risk capital, technology, and frontier markets, we accelerate the pace at which innovation positively impacts economies, communities, and the environment. As an “innovation factory”, Factor E collaborates with a diverse network of partners to identify and invest in energy, food & agriculture, water, and mobility solutions; sectors crucial for meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals, tackling climate change, and reducing income inequality. We are stewards of the “Innovation Trust,” a permanent source of risk-tolerant capital aimed at demonstrating the viability of breakthrough innovations in frontier markets. Our flexible structure allows us to make equity investments in Pre-Seed to Seed stage ventures, build entirely new ventures, or invest in IP partnerships, all of which are then supported by experienced hands-on post investment support.

About Equator
Equator is a venture capital firm that targets technology-enabled Seed to Series A stage ventures in energy, agriculture and mobility that are accelerating an equitable climate transition in Sub-Saharan Africa and supporting inclusive economic growth. Our team is one of technologists, operators and 2 investors with decades of experience investing in and scaling early-stage ventures in climatepositive sectors and across Sub-Saharan Africa. Equator’s $55m fund is backed by organizations such as British International Investment (BII), International Finance Corporation (IFC), Proparco, the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) and Shell Foundation. As specialist early-stage investors, we invest against a specific set of theses to effect change, and we look to bridge proven technologies and business model innovations with the markets that urgently need them at scale. Importantly, we engage deeply with our ventures to provide them with the support needed to drive long-term financial returns and impact.

Role Overview
The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in early-stage venture capital, with experience in sourcing transactions, managing due diligence, structuring investments, and serving on portfolio company Boards. The candidate would also ideally have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by founders and a demonstrated ability to support companies through their growth journey. This role is a unique opportunity to sit at the intersection of globally relevant technologies and their applications by founders in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the ability to invest across the early-stage venture capital landscape from Pre-Seed to Series A stages (with room at Equator for follow-on funding at Series B+ stages). The Investment Director will work across both investment teams and support collaboration and knowledge sharing between the organizations.

Key Responsibilities

● Source investment opportunities aligned with our investment theses. These opportunities could span from Pre-Seed to Series A stage companies, both global technology companies with unique relevance to the African market as well as companies currently based in Africa.
● Drive due diligence process. Assess target markets (including site visits and interviews with customers), evaluate competitive landscapes, determine potential for growth and scalability, review business models, revenue streams, financial statements, projections and exit pathways, evaluate intellectual property, assess management team capabilities and experience, assess potential ESG risks and opportunities, etc. Perform required due diligence analyses and present deal to Investment Committees.
● Identify post-investment value creation opportunities. Support portfolio companies in collaboration with the investment team and the broader network. Maintain close relationships with founders and companies, including potentially serving on Boards.
● Mentor the investment team. Work collaboratively with Factor E and Equator’s broader investment teams and provide guidance and support to junior team members.
● Develop West Africa market-based ecosystem and insights. Continue to build the reputation and presence of Factor E and Equator in the region – engaging with the broader 3 venture ecosystem, founders and entrepreneurs, co-investor networks, as well as attending and/or speaking at regional conferences & events. Use market-based insights to inform and improve our investment theses.

Qualifications:

● 7 years of relevant investor experience, including exposure to African markets, and experience in early-stage venture capital.
● A passion for technological innovation within the energy, agriculture, mobility and/or water sectors with a deep curiosity and desire to develop sectoral expertise.
● Investment and financial literacy.
● Experience working with or in senior management teams/Boards of high-growth companies.
● Experience representing firms externally at public events and with partners and investees.
● Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
● Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively present to a variety of audiences.

Personal Attributes:

● Strong alignment with our mission.
● Curiosity and a hands-on approach to understanding market challenges and the innovative solutions that Factor E and Equator invest in.
● Strong innovation management skills with an ability to bring creative ideas to market.
● Sound judgment in identifying viable innovative ideas, with an ability to manage the creative process of others and facilitate effective brainstorming sessions.
● Demonstrated ability to thrive in ambiguous environments, proactively driving results even when the path forward is not clearly defined.
● Positive, encouraging, and collaborative attitude.
● Experience and comfort working across global/remote teams.
● Personal connection to the African market.

To Apply
Please submit your resume, sanitized transaction track record/experience (if available) and cover letter explaining your interest in the position to talent@factore.com with the subject line “Last Name – Investment Director, West Africa”.

Factor E and Equator do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. We are committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we may conduct background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment. Background checks may include, but are not limited to, excluded parties checks, criminal history, national sex offender search, and motor vehicle history.