Junior Analyst

Overview

Join to apply for the Junior Analyst role at ZNEXT (by Zanichelli Editore).

We are looking for a Junior Analyst to join our team in Milan. This is a rare opportunity to operate at the intersection of innovation, capital, and impact - driving both the creation of new ventures and the acquisition and growth of exceptional companies.

About ZNEXT

At ZNEXT, we are building the next generation of technology businesses that unlock human potential. Backed by Italy’s leading educational publishing house Zanichelli Editore, ZNEXT is a €60 million build-and-acquire initiative launched to develop world-class technology businesses in the fields of EdTech, Future of Work, Lifelong Learning, and Wellbeing.

We operate through two synergistic divisions:

• Venture Building: acting as a co-founder to entrepreneurs building new companies in EdTech, Future of Work, Lifelong Learning and Wellbeing.
• M&A: acquiring majority stakes in high-potential companies that are ready to scale with smart capital and operational support.

More at https://www.znext.io/

Mission

We believe that the technologies reshaping how we learn, work, and live will define the next era of progress. That’s why we don’t just invest: we co-build. As co-founders, operators, and growth catalysts, we bring together patient capital, hands-on support, and an ecosystem of educators, technologists, and industry leaders to help visionary teams go further, faster.

Our approach is data-informed, human-centric, and long-term. We’re not chasing short-term wins. We’re building a European ecosystem that reimagines education and work from first principles. Our ambition goes beyond financial returns: we aim to contribute to technological, cultural, and social progress through companies that outlast hype cycles and shape generations.

Values

At ZNEXT, we act as catalysts for the companies and people that will define the future of learning, work, and human potential. We’re not here to follow playbooks. We partner with those who want to rewrite them.

Our values reflect the kind of founders, leaders, and teammates we seek to build with:

• Knowledge hunters - Relentlessly curious, always asking questions;
• Adaptable - Learn from failure, continuously evolving, and embracing change;
• Data-backed human instinct - Blending scientific data and analytics with gut instinct;
• Vibrant leaders - Energize teams and unlock human potential;
• Commercial conviction - Unwavering in vision but commercially pragmatic, prioritising product-market-fit.

About the role

We are looking for a Junior Analyst to join ZNEXT in Milan. This is a unique entry point into the world of Venture Building, Venture Capital and M&A, offering broad exposure to the creation and scaling of innovative companies.

As a Junior Analyst, you will support both the Venture Building and the M&A division with research, analysis, and strategic project execution. You will work closely with senior team members and portfolio companies, developing skills that are highly valued in investment banking, private equity, and start-up ecosystems.

What You’ll Do

Market Research & Competitive Analysis

• Conduct in-depth mapping of key players in EdTech, Future of Work, Lifelong Learning, and Wellbeing, analyzing market size, growth dynamics, segmentation, and entry barriers
• Identify emerging macro and micro trends in the industries of interest for ZNEXT and assess their strategic fit within ZNEXT’s investment thesis
• Segment and cluster relevant competitors for each new venture and acquisition target, mapping their positioning, business models, revenue streams, pricing strategies, and go‑to‑market approaches
• Perform quantitative benchmarking (e.g., EV/EBITDA, EV/Sales, user engagement metrics) alongside qualitative profiling to capture competitor strengths, weaknesses, and market differentiation.

Financial Analysis & Business Case Support

• Build and maintain light financial models, integrating commercial projections with macroeconomic assumptions to calculate ARR, CAC, LTV, unit economics, and contribution margins.
• Contribute to business cases and investment decks for new ventures in pre-seed phase (e.g. modeling MVP scaling, customer acquisition, and break-even analysis) and potential acquisition targets (e.g. supporting DCF, multiples, scenario testing, and sensitivity analysis)
• Support due diligence efforts—including commercial, financial, legal, and tech, coordinating requests and synthesizing findings
• Draft clear internal diligence memos highlighting risks, dependencies (e.g., tech stack, key personnel), and red flags
• Help prepare pitch decks and integration materials that summarize transaction merits for ZNEXT investment committee

Operational Support for Early-Stage Ventures

• Collaborate with founding teams to refine and test go-to-market strategies, including pricing frameworks, user acquisition channels, and KPIs identification
• Help implement and monitor operational performance systems (e.g. dashboards, KPI tracking etc.) to enable data-driven decision making
• Support design and conduct qualitative research to validate product hypotheses and positioning (e.g. smoke tests, customer interviews etc.)

What We’re Looking For

Education

• Currently pursuing or recently graduated with a Master’s degree from a top-tier university in Business, Finance or Economics or other quantitative field
• Strong academic track record with demonstrated interest in entrepreneurship, technology, innovation, finance, or strategy
• International exposure (e.g. study abroad, double degrees, or multilingualism) is a plus

Previous internships in Investment Banking, Consulting, VC/PE, or startup environments are a plus, but not mandatory.

Technical Skills

• Solid command of Microsoft Excel and presentation tools; ability to build and format clear financial models, charts, and concise presentations
• Familiarity with financial concepts (unit economics, valuation, business case modeling) and market research methodologies (e.g., competitor benchmarking, market sizing, industry trend analysis)
• Basic understanding of start-up metrics (ARR, churn, CAC, LTV) and the ability to synthesize quantitative and qualitative information into actionable insights

Mindset and values

We’re looking for individuals who are empathetic, humble, curious by nature, driven by a genuine passion for technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and eager to grow in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same.

You are someone who asks the right questions, not just follows instructions. You take ownership of your work, demonstrate a hands-on approach, and are unafraid to roll up your sleeves when faced with a challenge. You thrive in dynamic and ambiguous situations, adapting quickly and learning fast when the context changes.

You combine strong analytical thinking with the ability to zoom out and connect dots between data, market trends, and business strategy. You are energised by the opportunity to work at the intersection of start-up creation, technology, and investments, and you are motivated by the impact that companies can have on how people learn, work, and live.

You believe in teamwork, diversity of thought, and bringing a positive, collaborative energy to everything you do. While you dream big, you also understand the importance of commercial reality: you know that ambition must be grounded in rigorous analysis, market validation, and sustainable business models.

Languages

Fluent in Italian and English. A third language is a plus.

How to Apply

Fill out this application form: https://tally.so/r/3y8DDB

ZNEXT is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, parental status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.

All hiring decisions are made based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We are dedicated to ensuring a respectful, supportive, and harassment-free environment for all team members.