At a Glance
- Tasks: Support founders in fundraising, hiring, partnerships, and operations in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join a cutting-edge consulting startup transforming the industry with AI.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity, and direct access to visionary founders.
- Other info: Dynamic role with evolving responsibilities and significant career growth potential.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of the AI revolution and make impactful decisions.
- Qualifications: 0-4 years in high-intensity roles; strong analytical and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
The opportunity
The $1 trillion consulting industry is powered by some of the world's brightest minds, yet they remain trapped in manual, inefficient workflows — spreadsheet orchestration, slide-deck assembly, and fragmented data synthesis. We are moving the industry from "human-plus-tools" to autonomous agency.
The Founders Associate role is the founders' force multiplier. You'll work directly alongside our two co-founders and the Chief of Staff across every dimension of building the company: fundraising, hiring, partnerships, go-to-market, investor relations, operations, and whatever else shows up tomorrow. There is no fixed job description because the job changes every week. What stays constant: you're in the room for every critical decision, and you co-own the execution that follows.
Why this matters
Every engagement Riplo touches makes the system smarter. The context, the judgment, the work product — all of it compounds into a knowledge layer no individual consultant or competing tool can replicate. The firms that move first on this category don’t just work faster; they build a structural advantage. The next twelve months are when the category gets defined. Joining now means working on the problems that determine whether Riplo becomes the default — not future hypotheticals, but the actual decisions being made right now.
Riplo was founded by an ex-McKinsey / BCG / DeepMind / Hg founding team, and emerged from stealth in March 2026 with $3.1M in pre-seed funding led by Cherry Ventures, joined by Blue Lion Capital, partners from McKinsey and BCG, the founders of QuantumBlack, and angels from OpenAI, Apple, Goldman Sachs, and Hg Capital.
What you’ll do
- Your scope will evolve week to week, but the initial areas:
- Fundraising and investor relations. End-to-end process support: deck iterations, data room, investor pipeline, due diligence coordination.
- Hiring and talent operations. Source, screen, and close candidates across engineering, product, and commercial roles.
- Strategic research. Market sizing, competitive landscapes, partnership opportunities, pricing models. Synthesise complexity into recommendations the founders can act on.
- Partnerships and BD. Identify and qualify integration, channel, and technology partners. Support early deal structuring.
- GTM scaffolding. ICP definition, target account lists, sales collateral, and the operational scaffolding for Riplo's first commercial motions.
- Operations and AI-first company building. Systems, legal, finance, vendor management, and the hundred other things that have no owner yet. AI-first is the default.
Who we’re looking for
- 0–4 years in a high-intensity environment: top-tier consulting, investment banking, venture capital, private equity, or an early-stage startup. Exceptional recent graduates welcome.
- Outstanding analytical and problem-solving instincts. You can build a financial model, structure a market analysis, and write a compelling narrative with equal comfort.
- Sharp written and verbal communication. Your investor updates, candidate emails, and partnership briefs don’t need editing.
- Extreme ownership. You see gaps, you fill them, you don’t wait to be told.
- High comfort with ambiguity and context-switching.
- Fluency with modern AI tools. You use them everywhere to accelerate your work, not as a novelty.
- Fluent English.
What’s in it for you
- Competitive salary plus meaningful equity.
- A front-row seat to the AI revolution with your hands on the wheel.
- Direct daily access to founders who’ve built and backed category-defining companies.
- More context, responsibility, and direct impact than people with far more senior titles at larger companies.
Location
London is the primary base. Remote is possible only for exceptional talent.
Founder's Associate in London employer: Riplo
At Riplo, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that offers a dynamic and fast-paced work environment in the heart of London. As a Founder's Associate, you'll have unparalleled access to our visionary co-founders and be integral to shaping the future of the consulting industry, all while enjoying competitive compensation and equity opportunities. Our culture fosters extreme ownership and innovation, providing you with the chance to grow alongside a team of industry leaders and make a tangible impact from day one.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Founder's Associate in London
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Founder's Associate at Riplo!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Riplo or be willing to refer you for that Founder's Associate position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Riplo who’s on the lookout for their next Founder's Associate star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Founder's Associate role at Riplo!
We think you need these skills to ace Founder's Associate in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Riplo. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Riplo
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Riplo. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!