Student Opportunities

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. 

STARTUP ANALYST FELLOWSHIP

Startup Analyst Fellows will specifically be involved in the process of evaluating and selecting grant recipients for the NC IDEA SEED ($50K) grant program. Since its inception in 2006, NC IDEA SEED has awarded over $9 million to 199 companies across the state.

Startup Analyst Fellows can expect to assist in the review and evaluation of all SEED grant applications, make recommendations to the team based on due diligence findings, and actively participate in meetings with the NC IDEA staff and its review team of Angel/VC Investors, subject matter experts, and partners from across the state. As the pool of applicants narrows, the Analyst may also take on a modest coaching and advising role with the management teams of competitive applicants.

This program is ideal for graduate students interested in 1) having an investment career with an angel/venture capital firm or 2) entrepreneurs and entrepreneurially minded students looking to enhance their knowledge of the startup landscape in North Carolina and/or gain a better understanding of how young ventures are evaluated by investors. 

Interested applicants can view the 2024 NC IDEA Fellowship Opportunities Webinar Information Session and the Presentation Deck.

The Startup Analyst Fellowship application for 2024 is now closed. For any additional questions please email programs@ncidea.org.

Summer Graduate Startup Consultant Fellowship

Fellows receive the opportunity to work directly with emerging startups who have received NC IDEA SEED and MICRO grants. This is a paid, full-time, 10-week commitment during June-August. While the fellowship targets 1st year MBA candidates, students in other graduate programs with corresponding interests are encouraged to apply.

This program is ideal for entrepreneurs and entrepreneurially minded graduate students 1) looking to enhance their knowledge of challenges facing startups and the overall startup landscape in North Carolina, 2) considering working with startups after graduation, or 3) planning on an investment career with an angel/venture capital firm. 

Interested applicants can view the 2024 NC IDEA Fellowship Opportunities Webinar Information Session and the Presentation Deck.

The Summer Graduate Startup Consultant Fellowship application for 2024 is now closed. For any additional questions please email programs@ncidea.org.

Summer Undergraduate Internship

NC IDEA seeks talented undergraduate students with a genuine interest in startups and entrepreneurship, regardless of major, as demonstrated by taking an entrepreneurship class, starting a business, working at a startup, or some other relevant experience. Candidates should possess life experiences or personal perspectives relating to the underserved populations we serve through our grants and programs, including people of color, women, and rural or economically distressed communities.

This program is ideal for undergraduate students with 1) a real interest in startups and entrepreneurship, no matter what your major or 2) a desire, following graduation, to become involved in a startup company or organization supporting startups in North Carolina.

Interested applicants can view the 2024 NC IDEA Undergraduate Internship Webinar Information Session and the Presentation Deck.

Applications for the Summer Undergraduate Internship role are now closed.  For any additional questions please email programs@ncidea.org.