Virtual Assistant / Analyst

SMEVentures employs an internationally proven buyout model known as the search fund, developed at Harvard and Stanford in 1984, to identify, acquire, and operate SMEs throughout Asia Pacific. We pair talented entrepreneurs with businesses in need of a succession plan, providing reliable continuity and peace of mind for the outgoing business owners, and dreams-come-true for the incoming entrepreneurs.

As a pioneer of the search fund model in Asia Pacific, our team is diverse and our activities are many. SMEVentures comprises management, entrepreneurs, analysts, interns, and freelance contractors, some at our Singapore headquarters and others working remotely around the globe. Together, we support our entrepreneurs through every step of the search fund process, from researching attractive industries to sourcing opportunities to negotiating deals to assembling boards and managing the acquired companies.

At a time when APAC is facing a family business succession crisis, SMEVentures is importing a proven model to address that problem. This is an exciting opportunity to make an impact at the very frontier of this innovative private equity model.

SMEVentures is hiring a VA with solid business acumen to support these entrepreneurs with high-quality research and our Managing Director with administrative support. Responsibilities will include the following:
Creatively searching various databases, organization websites, publications, and other sources for businesses in a defined industry and geography
Screening these businesses against our investment criteria (e.g. size, ownership type, customer segment)
Employing various tools and creative thinking to identify the name(s) and contact info of the business owner(s)
Conducting industry-specific research to identify risks and opportunities (e.g. competitors, trends, regulations, and technology risks)
Cleaning and completing large datasets
Identifying LinkedIn profiles that meet our selection criteria
Maintaining a clean and complete CRM
Publishing (not writing) blog and social media posts
Managing other contractors on UpWork
Meeting tight deadlines to ensure a full pipeline of leads for the entrepreneurs
Attending regular video calls and reporting daily to the SMEVentures team
Training and managing other VAs as the team grows

SMEVentures may be the right place for you if you meet the following description:
You have a university degree.
You have an interest in and a fundamental understanding of business analysis and markets
You derive a sense of accomplishment from efficiently producing large quantities of work daily.
You are a clear and collaborative communicator.
You have an interest in entrepreneurial endeavors.
You enjoy working with scrappy, we’ll-find-a-way entrepreneurs.
You are comfortable with basic productivity software (e.g. GSuite, Word, Excel, Pipedrive, Asana).
You have a strong, reliable internet connection.
You can work during APAC business hours.