Investment Associate

About us

Folklore is a team of investors and builders committed to supporting Australian and New Zealand tech founders. Founded in 2013 and based in Sydney, we invest from first cheque to forever and believe in the power of founder vision and the potential of teams – right from the start. We’ve proudly raised 3 funds from HNW, Family Office and Institutional LPs, and have invested in game-changing companies like Auror (crime-fighting technology), HealthMatch (revolutionising clinical trials with AI), Swoop Aero (autonomous aeromedical drone logistics) and Lived (providing dedicated addiction support), to name a few.

We are a driven but down-to-earth team with diverse backgrounds and experiences, and we’re looking for people who share our passion for technology and startups to join us!

About the role

This is a role for someone curious about changing the future, who is invested in becoming an investor and who wants to be part of Folklore’s journey into the future. As a member of the Investment Team driven to find the next great startup, you will be an active participant in the investment process working proactively on establishing founder networks and relationships, pipeline management, investment analysis, research, investment decision making and investment and record management.

You’ll also support our companies grow with ongoing founder engagement and performance evaluation in preparation for potential follow-on investment and performance benchmarking. This role will see you proactively contributing to the ecosystem on behalf of Folklore by leading and participating in community engagement activities and partnering cross-functionally with the operations team.

Role responsibilities include but are not limited to the below:

Pipeline Management:

• Proactively grow network and trusted relationships with prospective founders, peers, operators and the broader ecosystem.
• Ongoing participation in accelerators, incubators and other formal programs in conjunction with attending ecosystem events.
• Create and contribute to external comms to elevate personal and company brand in the ecosystem and add value to the community.

Investment Management:

• Lead first meetings with founders to evaluate investment opportunity according to Folklore’s due diligence criteria.
• Actively undertake all due diligence activities covering external stakeholder discussions, testing and validation and detailed due diligence analysis including financial analysis/modelling.
• Formulate and communicate investment thesis to the team.
• Present opportunities to the Investment Committee with support from Principals/Partners.

Portfolio Management and Reporting:

• Contribute to portfolio support/growth through network and working cross functionally with Folklore’s Operations Team.
• Efficiently maintain internal records of portfolio performance, investment returns performance and monitor runway.
• Attend and record minutes at Board meetings.

Fundraising:

• Undertake detailed research into core thematics and interest areas, educating the whole Folklore team on insights.
• Undertake detailed research and analysis to support fundraising activities.

Operations:

• Assist Finance with periodic fund administration, reporting, compliance and specific Limited Partner reporting.
• Contribute to the improvement of the firm’s programs, processes and approach.

About you

• You are passionate about early-stage startups, technology and the ANZ startup and VC ecosystem.
• ‍You are inquisitive and curious by nature. You aren’t shy about asking probing questions and can systematically solve complex problems.
• You can challenge and be challenged productively and professionally and seek development and growth in this space.
• You’ve got a background in one or more of these areas: investment, consulting, startup operations or as a company founder.
• You have strong financial modelling and financial literacy skills, and get a kick out of identifying insight through analysis.
• You’re a self-starter, comfortable working autonomously, and relish a fast-paced environment.
• You have a mountain of hustle.