Associate - Private Equity (m/f/d)

About the role

Project A is a Berlin-based technology investor managing more than EUR 1.3 billion in assets across two dedicated approaches: early-stage venture investments and co-investments with established private equity funds in buyout and growth deals. The firm has backed over 130 businesses, including well-known European names such as sennder, Trade Republic, Spryker, LUQOM, and yoummday. Its platform organization includes over 120 specialists who help portfolio companies strengthen their capabilities in tech, growth, data, and people.

Since 2016, Project A has partnered with leading private equity firms such as EQT, Oakley, and Bregal on mid-market buyout and growth transactions. The current fund has six active portfolio companies. The business is now expanding from a pure co-investment approach into a broader direct private equity strategy focused on small-cap companies with strong growth potential in the DACH region.

To support this next phase, Project A is launching a new buyout fund with approximately EUR 200 million in equity commitments and is hiring a (Senior) Associate to join the founding team led by two seasoned Private Equity Partners. The role is entrepreneurial, based in Berlin, and sits within a broader tech investing platform.

What you will do

• Use applied AI to keep improving investment workflows and portfolio value creation through tailored tools and process design.
• Source deals by developing investment themes, building networks, reaching out to targets, and uncovering platform and add-on opportunities, including off-market transactions.
• Carry out market, company, and competitive research; build financial models, including LBO models; and help prepare investment materials and refine deal theses.
• Coordinate and support diligence and execution across commercial, financial, legal, tax, operational, technology, and ESG workstreams, including acquisition financing and SPA negotiations.
• Support portfolio companies after acquisition as a non-executive board member, contribute to growth and operating plans, help identify and execute add-ons, and prepare businesses for exit.

What the employer is looking for

The ideal candidate has a strong academic track record, typically through a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or MBA from a leading university with excellent results. You should bring at least 2 years of experience in small- or mid-cap private equity, corporate M&A, investment banking, or strategy consulting, along with demonstrated exposure to financial modelling, due diligence, M&A, or transaction advisory work.

The role calls for a highly analytical and entrepreneurial mindset: you should be curious, proactive, self-driven, and comfortable operating in a fast-moving environment. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills are important, especially when working with entrepreneurs, management teams, advisors, and legal or finance counterparties from both blue-collar and white-collar industries. A confident but grounded style is valued. Fluency in both German and English is required.

This position is based in Berlin.

What is offered

• A meaningful role in shaping and scaling Project A’s direct private equity strategy, with strong visibility across the organization.
• Considerable autonomy to originate opportunities, drive analysis, and contribute to decisions.
• Wide exposure to the full investment lifecycle, with room to develop into more senior responsibilities over time.
• Close collaboration with an experienced investment team and the platform experts in operations, data, and technology within a dynamic, fast-growing environment known for a fun, humble, and meritocratic culture.
• Competitive compensation, plus carry participation in the fund.

Commitment to diversity

Project A states that it hires with a focus on diversity and equal opportunity for applicants, candidates, and employees. The company values people from all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.