At a Glance
- Tasks: Dive into venture capital, talent spotting, and support startup founders on their journey.
- Company: Join Entrepreneurs First, a leading venture capital firm nurturing early career talent.
- Benefits: Gain mentorship, access to a vast network, and potential investment in your own startup.
- Other info: Enjoy autonomy, creativity, and a dynamic environment with endless opportunities.
- Why this job: Launch your career in VC, become a startup operator, or even start your own company!
- Qualifications: Recent graduates eager to learn, network, and make an impact in the startup ecosystem.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
At Entrepreneurs First we back early career talent; this extends to our team as well as founders. Every year we back up to three people who are at the earliest stages of their careers to spend two years with us learning the ropes of venture capital, building out their startup network and getting an inside view on what world class company building looks like. At the end of the two years, we back the fellows to take their next step by actively helping them secure roles as either a full time investor, a startup operator or a founder.
Previous fellows have gone on to become Partners at EF, work in Tier 1 VC, become startup operators, run government agencies or founded their own companies.
What you'll do
- Work across the three core aspects of EF’s business: Talent, Form and Launch
- Talent: You will spend approximately eight months of the year working intensely on finding great people that we want to invest in. You will source them through doing deep work in both online and in person communities and you will hone your skill in convincing people to take the leap into founding.
- Form: You will spend approximately three months of the year supporting the people we’ve invested in to build their founding teams and figure out the ideas they want to work on.
- Launch: You will spend a week in person in San Francisco supporting the founders you’ve worked with as they prepare to raise their first round of investment after EF.
- Find outliers: develop and execute theses on where extraordinary talent emerges.
- Sharpen your judgment: continuously update your mental model of what exceptional founders and world-changing companies look like.
- Be a trusted partner to exceptionally talented people: advise on career moves, company creation, and fundraising.
- Influence investment decisions: contribute to EF’s selection of founders and teams for the portfolio.
What you’ll learn
- Talent spotting: how to assess raw potential before it’s obvious.
- Company building: team dynamics, idea validation, customer development, fundraising.
- Technical literacy: applied tech fluency across multiple fields.
- Investment thinking: pattern recognition, conviction building, and portfolio construction.
Outcomes you can aim for
- VC: Graduate into an associate role either at EF or externally, after building a rare edge in pre-seed sourcing and founder assessment.
- Operator: Join a fast growing startup in a high-leverage role with a deep network of technical founders.
- Founder: Use EF as your launchpad to start your own company with exceptional co-founders. We will invest in the company that a Venture Fellow builds if they complete their fellowship with us.
Who you are
- Early in your career (graduated within the last two years), hungry to learn by doing and ambitious.
- Intellectually curious: you dig for first principles, self-teach, and range across domains.
- Relentlessly driven: you find creative ways through walls; you own your outcomes.
- Network builder: you build meaningful relationships with exceptional people, peers and seniors alike.
- Discerning judge of talent: high standards; optimistic yet realistic about people’s potential.
- Tech-impact oriented: fascinated by how technology, especially via startups, changes the world.
Who this role is not for
- You want a structured 9-5pm job: Venture Fellows are network builders. This means they will need to attend and host events in order to meet the most exceptional people, and travel both nationally, and potentially internationally, to immerse themselves in talent clusters.
- You want a clear career path: The diversity and malleability of the role creates an unusual level of optionality.
- You want to be managed closely: You will be given an incredible degree of autonomy and creative control from a very early stage.
What success looks like by the end of your fellowship
- You’ve built a repeatable sourcing engine for exceptional early-career talent.
- Founders trust your judgment; you’ve shaped multiple successful EF teams.
- You contribute confidently to selection and investment debates with clear, evidence-based views.
- You’ve mapped your next step (VC, operator, or founder) and have credible options.
How we’ll back you
- You will directly influence capital deployment decisions within the first 12 months of your fellowship.
- You will receive direct mentorship from seasoned investors and advisors.
- You will get direct access to the EF alumni and investor network.
- We will find you your next step in your career.
Process
- First Interview with a Principal/Partner (30 minutes - online).
- Second Interview with a Principal/Partner (30 minutes - online).
- Task Interview with Principal/Partner (45 minutes - online, pre-work required).
- Selection Day with London leadership team (3 hours - onsite).
Overall timeline: three weeks from first interview.
Venture Fellowship in London employer: Entrepreneurs First
At Entrepreneurs First, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that nurtures early career talent through our Venture Fellowship programme. Our vibrant work culture fosters creativity and autonomy, allowing fellows to build invaluable networks while receiving mentorship from seasoned investors. With a focus on personal growth and diverse career pathways, we empower our fellows to transition into impactful roles in venture capital, startup operations, or even as founders, all within the dynamic environment of London.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Venture Fellowship in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the venture capital scene. Attend events, join online communities, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential mentors or fellow applicants. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for startups and venture capital. When you get the chance to chat with someone from EF or any other VC, share your thoughts on recent trends, interesting startups, or even your own ideas. This will demonstrate your enthusiasm and knowledge, making you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising your pitch. You’ll want to articulate why you’re a great fit for the Venture Fellowship. Think about your experiences, what you’ve learned, and how you can contribute to EF’s mission. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Don’t forget to follow up after applying; a little persistence can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Venture Fellowship in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your passion for venture capital and your unique perspective.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for the Venture Fellowship. Highlight experiences that showcase your talent-spotting skills and your drive to build networks. We love seeing how you connect with our mission!
Showcase Your Curiosity:We’re looking for intellectually curious individuals. Use your written application to demonstrate your eagerness to learn and explore new ideas. Share examples of how you've dug deep into topics that fascinate you.
Keep It Clear and Concise:While we appreciate creativity, clarity is key! Make sure your application is easy to read and straight to the point. We want to understand your journey and aspirations without wading through fluff.
How to prepare for a job interview at Entrepreneurs First
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Entrepreneurs First and their mission. Understand their approach to venture capital and the qualities they look for in founders. This will help you articulate why you're a great fit and how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Network Building Skills
Since this role is all about connecting with exceptional talent, come prepared with examples of how you've built relationships in the past. Whether it's through events, online communities, or personal projects, demonstrate your ability to network effectively.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Talent Assessment
Brush up on how to evaluate potential in others. Think about what makes a great founder or team and be ready to share your insights. This shows that you understand the core of what Entrepreneurs First does and that you can contribute to their selection process.
✨Prepare for the Unexpected
The interview process may include unexpected questions or scenarios. Stay flexible and open-minded. Show that you can think on your feet and adapt to new information, which is crucial in the fast-paced world of venture capital.
