FAQs about the elea Talent Program

When does the elea Talent Program start?

The program starts on the first of September.

Can I start on a different date?

A smooth and structured onboarding experience for all participants is the basis for the success of the program and an opportunity to connect with the other new joiners. All members of the incoming eTP cohort should structure their agendas to be able to start together in September.

How many Associates does elea hire per year for the eTP?

We usually hire 2–4 Associates per cohort, depending on the needs of the organization at the time.

Do you sponsor work permits (for non-CH/non-EU/non-EFTA candidates)?

Unfortunately, we do not sponsor work permits for non-CH/non-EU/non-EFTA candidates.

What qualities make a strong candidate?

We are looking for highly talented and ambitious candidates that have: 

• Outstanding quantitative, analytical, and conceptual skills 

• A creative problem-solving attitude, demonstrating a high degree of initiative 

• A global mindset, with a passion to work in diverse cultures and an appreciation of the related challenges 

• A high motivation to work with innovative companies in the early growth stage 

• The ability to manage a heavy workload effectively and deliver quality work with superior attention to detail 

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills 

• A deep self-awareness combined with the ability to reflect on your skills and career journey

What level of education is required?

The eTP is designed for individuals with a master’s degree and limited work experience (less than one year). Individuals with a bachelor’s degree may also apply if they have especially relevant experience and a drive to develop along a steep learning curve. Unfortunately people with a PhD or MBA cannot be considered for the eTP.

Can I apply if I did not study business, finance or entrepreneurship but adjacent studies like international affairs, economics, data science, etc.?

Yes, if your background aligns with the skills and knowledge relevant to the various aspects of the role, we encourage you to apply.

What kind of financial expertise is expected?

While prior knowledge of financial statements and analysis is not required to apply, we expect our candidates to be enthusiastic about learning how to read and analyze financial statements. Upon receiving an offer from elea, we encourage prospective members of the eTP to invest some time in learning necessary financial vocabulary before the start of the program. During the program, we will provide the necessary support in developing the financial judgement needed to succeed at elea.

What language skills are required?

A minimum English proficiency of C1(advanced level) is required to ensure effective communication in our international environment. Additional language skills, such as German, French or Spanish, are an asset.

What does the application process look like? What is the timeline?

The application window is open from April 1 until April 21, 2025. You will have to hand in a motivation letter, your CV and diplomas/certificates/job references. Additionally, you will have to research a venture that meets elea’s investment criteria and submit a venture-pitch in a format of your choice (the criteria can be found on our website).

There are 3 interview rounds in which you have the opportunity to meet various elea team members. The interviews consist of questions geared at getting to know you, your motivations and your interests, as well as assessing your ability to do the work required of an Associate. The second round typically consists of “mini-cases” and “situational questions” from elea’s day-to-day activities. This includes, for example, questions about a business situation at one of our ventures (e.g. during a crisis situation like the Covid-19 pandemic) where we would like to understand how you would react and what decisions you would take.

It is our goal to complete the recruiting process by the end of June 2025.

What do I need to prepare for the different interview rounds?

Take some time to learn about elea, impact investing, and our portfolio of impact ventures. Explore our website, publications, and social media channels to gain a better understanding of our work.

How long does it take until we hear back from elea?

• You will be informed within two weeks after the application window closes.
• After an interview, you can expect to hear from us within 1–2 weeks.

Will I receive feedback on my application?

While every application will be answered within two weeks after the application window closes, please understand that we can only give individual feedback to applicants who make it to the interview rounds.

What are the types of tasks / responsibilities I will have?

The main role of Associates is to identify and propose impact companies to elea’s Investment Committee. On a day-to-day basis this includes online research, scouting tours, networking with incubators and co-investors, and evaluating recommendations from partners in elea’s ecosystem. Members of the eTP then join due diligences and work on in-depth evaluations of the ventures. They participate in valuation and contract negotiations, and when an investment is closed, they support more senior elea team members in advising the founders on the venture’s growth journey.

Associates also work on a variety of additional tasks during their two-year program. The additional tasks assigned depend on elea’s needs and the skill sets of the specific person. Example tasks include engaging with elea’s philanthropic investors, contributing to the annual impact measurement process, organizing events and conferences, and writing social media posts.

What will I learn while at elea?

As an eTP you will learn:

• How to evaluate businesses based on their business model, financials, impact potential, and the founders’ ability to deliver on their strategy

• The purpose and application of different investment instruments 

• Soft and hard skills that enable you to make good business judgement and interact with various stakeholders across the impact investment ecosystem  

• How to identify your professional strengths as you develop a specialization path within elea 

• How elea achieves its purpose through the elea Flywheel

Will I get a mentor during the time in the eTP?

Yes, we invest considerable time in the development of our colleagues. As a member of the eTP you will have a dedicated Mentor that supports you in growing both professionally and personally.

Do you travel? How often?

Travel is an integral part of our work and Associates have the opportunity to travel for scouting and due diligence purposes. Travel opportunities are decided based on elea’s business needs. While travel is not a guaranteed part of the eTP, it is highly likely that Associates travel 2–3 times during the two-year program. You may also have the opportunity to visit one of our hubs in Johannesburg or Mexico City. Your main work location is in Zurich.

What’s the structure of the program (rotations etc.)?

Within the investment team, you will be assigned on a rotational basis to a specific topic and region to deepen your expertise and identify ventures. During the two years, you will cover all four investments areas (please see our portfolio Where does elea invest? - elea). Additionally, you will rotate between elea’s different units, including Investors & Partnerships, Finance & Impact Measurement, Communities & Awareness, and Communication.

Why is the eTP designed for two years?

Our goal is to expose you to all areas of elea’s operations during the eTP. When designing the program, we considered the time needed to identify and successfully complete an investment. We want to create the best setting for members of the eTP to have a chance to contribute to investment success at least once during the program. Given that the period from identifying a venture to closing an investment can take anywhere from 3–12 months (or even longer) and that the sourcing and due diligence process is obviously only one part of our work, 24 months has proven to be the ideal length of the eTP.

What is the salary?

Our compensation is in line with what graduates typically can expect when starting their career. Additionally, we offer the possibility to gain experience while working on exciting and meaningful tasks. elea has a flat hierarchy and team members enjoy a modern workplace in the heart of Zurich as well as flexible home office regulations.

What is expected in terms of work load?

People at elea are intrinsically driven to move projects forward because we love what we do. We have weeks that can be quite intense, but all team members are encouraged to maintain a healthy balance.

What happens after the program? What have others done after completing the two-year program?

Typically, graduates of the eTP stay at elea after completing the program. However, people who join the eTP with a bachelor’s degree might leave immediately, or soon after the eTP to pursue their master’s degree. Former colleagues of ours went on to work in the private sector (e.g. consulting, financial services) and the public sector (e.g. large international development organizations).