Ridgeline Ventures, based in Boulder, invests in and acquires companies that help people live a healthier life.  We’re a small team and we currently have eight portfolio companies across the natural foods and active lifestyle industries.  We’re actively looking to acquire additional companies.

We have a unique structure in that we don’t have any outside investors in our firm.  As such, we operate under an evergreen model in which we reinvest proceeds and we don’t impose exit timelines on our investments.

We are involved in supporting the growth of our companies.  Our involvement has ranged from a typical investor/board member role to a more involved role needing to roll up our sleeves in the day-to-day of our companies at various points in time.  Upon initial investment/acquisition, most companies are between $5M and $30M in revenue and have profitability. 

Is this role right for you?

The ideal candidate is someone with 4-8 years of post-undergraduate experience, ideally with some of that experience being in private equity or investment banking.  We’re looking for someone who feels comfortable conducting business development, prospecting for opportunities, can be thorough and detailed in conducting due diligence, is a wizard at financial modeling, enjoys researching sectors and businesses, and is eager do to any task.

In addition, a plus would be someone with experience working in a company in an operating capacity (finance, operations, business development, marketing, general management).  Ideal industry experience is in CPG, food/bev, health/wellness, active lifestyle, or related industries, but technical competency is most important.  However, prior private equity or investment banking experience is more highly favored.

We need someone who has a versatile skill set, is willing to take on any task no matter how small or big it may seem, and is motivated to help our team and our companies succeed.

Job Overview

The Analyst or Senior Analyst will be a critical part of our team as a representative of Ridgeline Ventures in the community, to other investors, and to entrepreneurs as we seek companies to invest in and acquire. 

Some of the primary goals of the role are to source and evaluate investment opportunities, conduct due diligence, and to support the team in any aspect of closing a deal.  From there, the goal is to support the Partners of Ridgeline and our portfolio teams/companies in achieving their objectives.

This role will also lead our internal portfolio reporting to monitor overall capital allocation and conduct investment returns modeling and other support for making investment decisions and tracking portfolio performance.

The individual will play an important role in supporting day-to-day administration efforts of Ridgeline Ventures’ internal operations, which may involve interfacing with our accountants, lawyers, landlords, service providers, and other parties as well as supporting on any operational or administrative work as requested.  This is an important part of job as you work to free up the current Partners of Ridgeline from some of the administrative duties of operating Ridgeline so they can focus on higher value activities.

Duties

Activities will generally take the form of four different functions:

• Firm operations/administration – Provide support on internal, back-office activities that go along with managing an investment firm and small business. This may involve interfacing with our accountants, lawyers, landlord, and other service providers.  This may also involve providing administrative support to the Partners as needed and any other tasks requested.  The objective is to help the firm and its Partners operate more efficiently and productively.
• Opportunity sourcing – Based on our investment criteria and desired areas of interest, identify target companies, target networking contacts, and best paths to build deal flow. Pursue relationships with service providers, well-connected individuals, industry executives, and other people to generate deal flow and remain top of mind.  Conduct business development activities directly with target companies and management teams.  This may also involve attending trade shows, speaking on panels, and identifying other methods for building your own deal flow pipeline. 
• Opportunity evaluation and execution – Evaluate investment opportunities, companies and teams according to our criteria; bring qualified opportunities to the Partners; conduct due diligence which may include financial modeling, market research, competitive research, and more; provide support for structuring investments; and provide support for executing the deals which may involve reviewing legal docs and providing tactical support as we close transactions.
• Portfolio company support and Partner support – Provide Partners and portfolio company teams with as-needed support on various activities that will include direct involvement with portfolio company leadership teams over time. Identify ways for Ridgeline to add value to our companies.  Provide periodic reporting on the performance of our companies and our portfolio as well as provide analysis and support for making investment decisions.

Skills and Experience Required

• Prior private equity or investment banking experience is a major plus
• Direct experience working in a fast-growing company is a plus, but not required
• A strong aptitude for building genuine relationships and networking
• Experience evaluating companies and opportunities based on defined criteria is a major plus
• Advanced financial modeling skills and use of MS Excel
• A self-starter; ability to flourish with limited direction provided
• 4-8 years of experience after undergrad (MBA is not required)

The Perfect Person

• High energy, positive, and upbeat
• An effective communicator
• Strong relationship-building and networking skills with an ability to find the right people and build relationships; a natural people connector
• You don’t get deterred when you hear a “no”; you pick back up and move on
• Strong analytical capabilities
• Highly strategic with the ability to evaluate a company’s positioning and identify the market opportunity.
• Strong ability to research companies and market opportunities and then acting on your findings
• A committed team-player; willing to help out in any way needed regardless of the size of the task
• A high degree of professionalism, integrity and trust-worthiness
• Experience thriving in an autonomous environment
• A demonstrated track record of success in prior roles
• Not one to say no to a challenge; you see problems and obstacles as opportunities for growth
• A self-starter – not waiting for guidance or suggestions as to how to add value

Location

Our Boulder office, which is located near the intersection of 28^th and Pearl Street.