FELLOWS & INTERNS
fellows AND INTERNS
Fellows are considered valuable members of the NC IDEA team, assisting in the review and evaluation of grant applications, making recommendations and, at times, taking on modest coaching roles with competitive applicants.
NC IDEA has three different opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to support our work and engage directly with NC startups. Competitive candidates for all opportunities will have a demonstrated interest in startups and entrepreneurship. Learn more about each of the opportunities.
“The NC IDEA internship proved to be the perfect opportunity to familiarize myself with the entrepreneurial ecosystem in North Carolina, all while making a real impact on the development of our community. The structure of the program, the people at NC IDEA, and the inspiring work that interns get to involve themselves in make the internship an incredible all-rounded experience that constructively prepares students for the future!”
Arya Ranjan2023 Summer Undergraduate Intern
“Working as an NC IDEA Summer Fellow was extremely energizing. I loved diving into unfamiliar industries and working directly with founders to tackle their business challenges. I gained so much from the Fellowship, from learning new skills to mentoring interns to deepening my understanding of entrepreneurship and economic development. I can't say enough great things about the NC IDEA team - a mix of business, nonprofit, and philanthropic backgrounds, all working to expand opportunity for North Carolinians.”
Thomas Cheng2023 SUMMER GRADUATE FELLOW
"The Summer Fellowship was truly a phenomenal experience. It's unique in the sense that you get exposure to so many different types of companies, business models, and industries while you're working hand-in-hand with early stage founders. I was able to hone my technical skills with financial modeling projects, while also working on the creative side of things by developing marketing strategies. My favorite part was gaining exposure to the NC entrepreneurial ecosystem, and there is no better place to do that than NC IDEA!”
Joe Janey2023 SUMMER GRADUATE FELLOW
"Through my internship at NC IDEA, I learned the markers of a successful startup. Looking beyond the funding I also developed a deeper appreciation for the importance of mentorship and ecosystem building to startup success. My experiences played a key role in landing a job offer in venture capital and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the NC IDEA team."
Kirti Nimmala2022 SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE INTERN
“The NC IDEA internship proved to be the perfect opportunity to familiarize myself with the entrepreneurial ecosystem in North Carolina, all while making a real impact on the development of our community. The structure of the program, the people at NC IDEA, and the inspiring work that interns get to involve themselves in make the internship an incredible all-rounded experience that constructively prepares students for the future!”
Arya Ranjan2023 Summer Undergraduate Intern
“Working as an NC IDEA Summer Fellow was extremely energizing. I loved diving into unfamiliar industries and working directly with founders to tackle their business challenges. I gained so much from the Fellowship, from learning new skills to mentoring interns to deepening my understanding of entrepreneurship and economic development. I can't say enough great things about the NC IDEA team - a mix of business, nonprofit, and philanthropic backgrounds, all working to expand opportunity for North Carolinians.”
Thomas Cheng2023 SUMMER GRADUATE FELLOW
"The Summer Fellowship was truly a phenomenal experience. It's unique in the sense that you get exposure to so many different types of companies, business models, and industries while you're working hand-in-hand with early stage founders. I was able to hone my technical skills with financial modeling projects, while also working on the creative side of things by developing marketing strategies. My favorite part was gaining exposure to the NC entrepreneurial ecosystem, and there is no better place to do that than NC IDEA!”
Joe Janey2023 SUMMER GRADUATE FELLOW
"Through my internship at NC IDEA, I learned the markers of a successful startup. Looking beyond the funding I also developed a deeper appreciation for the importance of mentorship and ecosystem building to startup success. My experiences played a key role in landing a job offer in venture capital and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the NC IDEA team."
Kirti Nimmala2022 SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE INTERN