Dealflow Manager
(Fulltime / 40 hours - Utrecht, the Netherlands)

About Aqua-Spark

Aqua-Spark is a global investment fund that makes investments in sustainable aquaculture businesses that generate investment returns, whilst creating positive social and environmental impact (Forbes’, Impact 50). The fund is building an ecosystem of small to medium-sized enterprises across the global aquaculture value chain, to make the entire value chain of food more sustainable, healthier and more accessible for all. All of this with our great team, from our beautiful office in the city center of Utrecht! The Aqua-Spark team is fast-growing, diverse, international, hardworking, tight-knit, with a clear focus on our mission. You report directly to the Head of Dealflow.

At Aqua-Spark, we believe that meeting the growing demand for fish products while simultaneously sustaining our environment requires a radical transformation. We are contributing to this transformation by investing in those companies in the aquaculture value chain that demonstrate a shared vision of a sustainable future, and which are working together to solve the challenges outlined. Our portfolio of mission aligned companies will serve as an example of a truly sustainable commercial aquaculture industry that scales to meet growing demand. To motivate wider industry adoption, we work with supply chain participants to strengthen each other’s commitment to a more sustainable industry, collaborating to test and adopt new practices and technologies. To support industry adoption we believe in sharing what we have learned and what excites us. We regularly publish on these themes through our Aqua Insights publications and on our portfolio impact results in our annual impact report.

The role
The Dealflow Manager is the initial onboarding contact for entrepreneurs who apply to Aqua-Spark seeking investments. You build and manage an extensive pipeline of companies as well as an extensive database with market intelligence.
You make sure enough high-quality dealflow is generated by direct outreach to companies, our aquaculture experts, going to industry conferences, by participating in business competitions and through desk-research and pipeline generation. You reach out to companies and develop a structural and positive relationship with promising companies in order to focus on- and identify investment opportunities within the core business of Aqua-Spark: sustainable aquaculture.
You will engage with companies, guide them through the steps involved in the investment process, provide value-added feedback, and make referrals to resources within Aqua-Spark and its external partners. Being responsible for the first stages of the investment process, you make a preliminary assessment of high quality dealflow, analyzing the business model and financial model, key markets, etc. and fit with Aqua-Spark’s mission and overall ecosystem.

The Dealflow Manager will collaborate with Investment Managers in maintaining continued engagement with potential portfolio companies, tracking their progress. You report directly to the head of Dealflow.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a primary point of contact for entrepreneurs in seeking investments from Aqua-Spark;
• Respond to initial investment inquiries and conduct follow-up meetings or phone/conference calls/e-mails;
• Build a high-quality pipeline of sustainable aquaculture businesses for potential investments;
• Build expertise around value chain segments, including farming, feed, production- & digital technology, genetics, fish health, seafood consumer trends, seafood marketing & distribution models and more;
• Build an extensive network in the aquaculture industry, including start-ups, corporates, industry experts, other investors, NGO’s, research institutes, banks etc.;
• Identify and target investment opportunities and select the most promising companies in the pipeline for potential investment;
• Preliminary analysis of companies, including their business plan, financial model, their teams, key markets, product-market-fit etc.;
• Present and advice key findings to the Head of Dealflow and the investment team;
• Work together with Investment Managers on first stages of investment process.
• Build and manage an extensive database with company information;
• Share key industry insights with the larger Aqua-Spark team and stakeholders where relevant.

The successful candidate is able to

• Work together with the team to set the key performance indicators for the potential portfolio companies and monitor both financial and non-financial performance of the potential portfolio investments;
• Build (pro-actively) sustainable relationships with internal and external stakeholders and professionally represent Aqua-Spark at conferences and events in order to connect with and establish relationships within the worldwide Aqua-Spark network;
• Work closely together within the deal team to identify which companies are most promising for Aqua-Spark’s portfolio;
• Keep up to date on information that is relevant to the aquaculture industry and Aqua-Spark’s value chain and develop the skillsets and knowledge to specialize in aquaculture and its (financial) markets.

What does it take to be successful working at Aqua-Spark?
The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Business/Finance or similar discipline and 1-3 or more years of professional working experience in a professional position with a similar level of responsibility for example in impact investing, PE/VC, corporate finance or business development. You like to work in a great team as well as work independent. Furthermore, you have:

• Experience in working with SMEs, preferably with a sustainability, environmental and/or social focus;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, networker, with a high degree of professionalism in English;
• Knowledge and experience of and willing to follow trends and developments in aquaculture;
• Hands-on experience as (Dealflow) Manager in the investment space preferred;
• Experience in evaluating business plans and financial models;
• Experience in supporting and presenting to executive leadership teams preferred;
• Understanding of the global agri-/aquaculture industry;
• Excellent financial and analytical skills, including experience with financial modeling;
• Must be proficient in Apple, Microsoft Office with familiarity with databases and excellent IT/computer skills in general.

Remuneration

You will have a genuinely impactful role within a great entrepreneurial and global, sustainable organization that is growing fast. In addition we offer the ideal candidate:

• Flexible working hours and partially working from home are an option;
• An excellent salary package including participation profit sharing;
• Working in an international organization that values inclusiveness and diversity;
• Excellent introduction, quick integration and opportunities for professional development.

You’ll find yourself working in a challenging international environment collaborating within a growing and great team of professionals!

For more information or if you would like to apply directly, please get in touch with Marjolein Jetten (HR) marjolein@aqua-spark.nl and Sophie van Dongen (HR) at sophie@aqua-spark.nl. We look forward to receiving your application!