Associate, Farmhand Ventures

ImpactAlpha Inc.; United States; Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Travel opportunities

Close to St. Louis or Central Valley

Job summary

Farmhand Ventures is seeking an Associate or Senior Associate to act as an operating partner with the General Partner. You will help run day-to-day operations, build strategic relationships with startups, investors, and industry partners, and represent the firm publicly at events and panels.

The role blends back-office operations with front-facing project management and investment support, with increasing responsibility over time.

Qualifications

• Understanding of agriculture and enthusiasm for the sector’s problems and opportunities.
• Experience managing investor and/or customer relationships.
• Comfort with Airtable and modern AI tools.
• Ability to learn new systems quickly and work independently.
• Strong written and spoken communication skills.
• Willingness to travel for events and partner meetings.

Responsibilities

• Own operational tasks and maintain systems to keep the firm running smoothly.
• Assist with deal flow, diligence, and portfolio relationships as needed.
• Support investor relations including LP communications and reporting cadence.
• Design thesis-aligned projects with startups and recruit into Build initiatives.
• Represent Farmhand Ventures at events and across social channels.
• Lead partner meetings and author due diligence memos.
• Maintain and iterate the CRM and support data rooms.

Skills

Agriculture understanding

Investor relations experience

Communication skills

Proactive mindset

Attention to detail

Ability to learn quickly

Travel willingness

Tools

Airtable

Modern AI tools

Job description

About Farmhand Ventures

Farmhand Ventures is an impact-first investment firm dedicated to reshaping the future of work in agriculture. The firm operates with a mission to enable strategic programs and innovation that make farm work more attractive, productive, profitable, and resilient. By focusing on improving the lives and livelihoods of farmers, farmworkers, and rural communities, Farmhand Ventures combines venture capital investment with direct engagement in the agricultural sector to drive meaningful change. The firm works closely with founders, researchers, and a network of limited partners to identify and back category-defining agtech companies. Farmhand Ventures takes a hands-on approach to supporting its portfolio companies and the broader agtech ecosystem by providing not only capital but also strategic guidance, industry connections, and operational support. This collaborative model extends beyond traditional venture investment into farmer-driven programming that connects startups with essential resources for growth and success. Farmhand Ventures actively partners with academic and research institutions to deliver educational and accelerator programs. The firm co-powers UC ANR Innovate’s Connect Field Day programs and Build CRL-advancement programs, demonstrating its commitment to bridging the gap between research, innovation, and practical farm implementation. Additionally, the firm collaborates with Washington University’s Bursky School of Public Health on the Growing Health Challenge, showcasing its commitment to addressing health and sustainability issues within agricultural communities.

About this Role

Farmhand Ventures is seeking an Associate or Senior Associate to serve as a core operating partner to the General Partner. This role is critical to keeping the firm’s operations running smoothly while simultaneously building and deepening the firm’s strategic relationships with startups, investors, and industry partners. The successful candidate will represent Farmhand Ventures publicly at events, on panels, and across the community, serving as an ambassador for the firm’s mission and values. This position uniquely combines back-office operational work with front-facing relationship and program management. You will work directly with startups to develop and shape projects aligned with the firm’s investment thesis, recruit founders and researchers into the Build ecosystem, and maintain relationships with the limited partners and investors who fund the firm’s operations. Your work will directly impact how effectively the firm identifies investment opportunities, supports portfolio companies, and executes its strategic initiatives in the agtech space. The role requires both tactical execution and strategic thinking. You will be responsible for maintaining systems and processes that keep the firm organized and responsive, while also contributing to investment decisions, portfolio strategy, and firm-wide initiatives. As you grow into the position, you will take on increasingly complex responsibilities, including leading partner meetings, authoring due diligence analyses, and representing the firm at major industry events.

Responsibilities

• Keep the firm’s operations running smoothly by owning operational tasks, managing and building systems, proactively following up on items, re-engaging on dropped threads, and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks
• Assist with deal flow, diligence, and portfolio company relationships as needed, including written analysis and preparation for investment decisions
• Support the General Partner in managing day-to-day investor relations, including LP communications, reporting cadence, and relationship-building to keep the investor base engaged and informed
• Design and shape thesis-aligned projects with startups and recruit startups and researchers into Build projects
• Connect founders to Farmhand’s network and resources to support their success
• Represent Farmhand Ventures at industry events, on panels, and across social channels
• Shadow the General Partner on startup calls and LP calls to learn the investment process
• Deliver startup project and investment write-ups and iterate on feedback
• Schedule meetings and manage calendars for the General Partner and team members
• Support Field Days and other events, which may include directing traffic, running audio/visual equipment, communicating clearly with the team and external partners
• Conduct research on specific agricultural problem areas and corresponding solutions
• Lead or co-lead partner meetings, including agenda preparation, deck creation, and time management
• Author due diligence memos for investment opportunities
• Own, iterate upon, co-design, and maintain the Farmhand Ventures CRM system
• Support the General Partner in LP data room creation and maintenance
• Represent Farmhand Ventures at conferences and events, interacting with investors, startups, farmers, farmworkers, and policy‑makers
• Support the General Partner through the full startup investment process, including sourcing, diligence, negotiations, closing, and portfolio support
• Co-design and own systems for portfolio management
• Influence firm decisions around projects, startups, LP communications, marketing, and other strategic areas
• Deliver and receive constructive feedback directly to and from the General Partner on a quarterly basis

Requirements

• Understanding of agriculture and genuine enthusiasm for the sector’s problems and opportunities
• Experience managing investor and/or customer relationships
• Comfort working with Airtable and modern AI tools
• Ability to pick up new systems quickly and learn independently
• Ability to learn from feedback and improve performance
• Strong communication skills in both writing and in-person interactions
• Proactive mindset with ability to identify what needs to happen and take initiative without waiting to be asked
• High integrity and genuine belief in Farmhand Ventures’ mission and values
• Willingness to take risks, stretch yourself, and be accountable for mistakes
• Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, small firm environment

Benefits

• Opportunity to work at the center of a small, ambitious firm with outsized reach in AgTech
• Direct impact on shaping outcomes for founders, researchers, and the future of the food system
• Regular travel for events, field days, and partner meetings
• Hybrid work arrangement with flexibility between remote and in-office options
• Preferred locations with proximity to St. Louis, Missouri or Central Valley, California
• Opportunity to influence firm decisions and strategic direction
• Quarterly feedback and professional development from the General Partner
• Exposure to a broad network of investors, founders, researchers, and agricultural industry leaders