At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our investment team, support due diligence, and engage with the startup ecosystem.
- Company: Playfair, a top VC fund focused on nurturing promising founders.
- Benefits: £35,000 salary, wellness credits, 25 days holiday, and team socials.
- Why this job: Kickstart your VC career and make meaningful contributions in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Passion for startups, strong communication skills, and a proactive attitude.
- Other info: Previous analysts have successfully transitioned to full-time roles in VC or other exciting paths.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 42000 £ per year.
About Playfair
We’re a VC fund focused exclusively on pre-seed investing: bringing discipline, diligence, dedication and depth of thought to an intentionally low volume of investments. We exist to nurture the most promising founders of today to build the category-defining companies of tomorrow. Our pre-seed to Series A graduation rate is 78%, ~4x the industry average.
Our team is a mix of angel investors, operators, founders, engineers, lawyers, bankers, accountants, professional poker players, salespeople, product managers, biochemists and marketeers who share a deep passion for startups. Since 2013, our founders have raised >$3bn of follow-on capital from the world’s best specialist and multi-stage funds, including Nory ($37m Series B, Kinnevik), Orca AI ($72.5m Series B, BPC), Protex AI ($36m Series B, Hedosophia) and StackOne ($20m Series A, GV). Our fund performance puts us in the top quartile against US and European benchmarks, and we are consistently ranked amongst the best firms in Europe by the people that matter most to us: founders. In Founders Choice anonymous polling, we were voted 3rd best VC fund in Europe.
Your Role
As we enter the fourth year of investing from our $70m third fund, we’re looking for a visiting analyst to join the investment team. You’ll be on the frontline of all aspects of our investing activities, giving you significant exposure to the European startup ecosystem. This is an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a small team, build your network and kickstart your career in VC. You will have access to our full investment process, from early founder conversations through to Investment Committee and supporting our portfolio. This will involve supporting the team with reviewing inbound pitch submissions and outbound founder profiles. As companies progress, you’ll support the team on due diligence by conducting extensive research and synthesising and analysing your findings as you contribute to writing our investment memos. You’ll also have the opportunity to get involved in organising events, writing content and supporting our social media strategy, giving you the broadest possible exposure to the work of our firm.
Playfair has a long track record of previous visiting analysts going on to join other VC firms full time, become operators, or even pursue further studies. The application deadline is Sunday, February 8th at midnight. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the role can start from March.
Requirements
- You’re passionate about startups and eager to learn how we help founders build the future
- You thrive with high levels of ownership, autonomy and responsibility
- You’re into creative problem-solving and have strong oral and written communication skills
- You’re high energy and proactive but equally low ego
You’re available for a full time 1-year programme and to work from our coworking space in Farringdon at least three days a week.
Benefits
- Full access to the investment team to learn the venture business from the inside
- £35,000 per annum
- Statutory pension
- £50 per month wellness credits through Heka
- Regular team socials and occasional team away trips
- 25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays (pro-rata)
Visiting Analyst 2026 in London employer: Playfair
Contact Detail:
Playfair Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Visiting Analyst 2026 in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the VC and startup scene. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out to folks on LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for startups! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your thoughts on recent trends or companies you admire. This will not only showcase your enthusiasm but also demonstrate your knowledge of the industry.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive in your research! Before interviews, dive deep into the firm’s portfolio and understand their investment strategy. This will help you ask insightful questions and show that you’re genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Playfair. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Visiting Analyst 2026 in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for startups shine through in your application. We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about the venture capital world and eager to learn how we support founders.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight relevant experiences and skills that align with what we’re looking for, especially around communication and problem-solving.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your points are easy to understand and get straight to the heart of what you want to convey.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Playfair
✨Know Your Startups
Dive deep into the European startup ecosystem before your interview. Familiarise yourself with recent trends, successful founders, and notable investments in the region. This will not only show your passion for startups but also help you engage in meaningful conversations during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've tackled challenges creatively. Whether it's a project at university or a personal endeavour, demonstrating your ability to think outside the box will resonate well with the team, especially given their focus on creative problem-solving.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Since strong oral and written communication skills are crucial for this role, consider doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your delivery and ensure you come across as confident and articulate.
✨Embrace the Team Spirit
Playfair values low ego and high energy, so be sure to convey your enthusiasm for collaboration. Share experiences where you've worked effectively in teams and highlight how you can contribute positively to their culture. Remember, they’re looking for someone who fits well within their unique team dynamic.