Investment and Operations Associate

About Us:

• Ponderosa Ventures invests in early-stage technology companies creating positive impact in the food, agriculture, and oceans sectors. We believe this is essential to solving our climate, biodiversity, health, and justice crises. We are very aware that we are in the final decade in which to prevent climate disaster, and we act with appropriate urgency. 

• We are a small, experienced team with background at impact investment firms like Generation Investment Management and Astanor Ventures. We are part of a platform called Galvanize Climate Solutions. Galvanize’s team combines decades of experience building and managing multi-billion dollar investment strategies with climate expertise across policy, technology, and measurement. Galvanize provides Ponderosa with an investment committee, legal and structural support, and access to the platform’s insights. 

How We Work:

• As the second employee, you’ll get to work directly with the founding team and help build the culture and processes of Ponderosa Ventures.  

• We work hard to create a psychologically safe environment so that everyone can share their thoughts. We think investment processes break when team members do not feel comfortable admitting mistakes, expressing doubt, or otherwise contradicting the general flow of the process. 

• We believe that empathy and communication are the key skills of good investors. We don’t mind if you don’t have a traditional finance background. We are looking for diverse, earnest perspectives.  

• We love processes and data. We believe that information is always a gift. 

What You Will Be Working On: 

• We need your help maintaining and improving our foundational processes, including our data management system for both companies we invest in and people who invest in us. Doing this well and thoughtfully will help us run an ever-improving process. 

• We need your support in diving deeper into the food, agriculture, and ocean communities. We want to maintain relationships with all the accelerators, universities, and company builders in the space. We want to follow the progress of all the companies we’ve met so far.  

• As we continue to grow, you will get opportunities to speak to companies and participate in the investment process. You will also get the opportunity to build relationships with portfolio companies and support them in their growth. 

What We Are Looking For 

• 3+ years of work experience 

• Right to work in the USA without employer sponsorship 

• An obsession with data, detail, and process 

• A willingness to work in person 4 days a week 

• Best-in-class critical thinking 

• A deep commitment to saving our species and our planet! 

Compensation and Benefits 

• Base salary plus discretionary, performance-linked bonus 

• Employer-paid health coverage for employee, spouse, and dependents 

• 401(k) plan with employer match 

• 25 days of PTO including vacation/sick leave 

• Monthly wellness benefit that covers a broad range of activities 

• 16 weeks paid parental leave for parents of any gender 

• Annual stipend for employer-sponsored professional development opportunities