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 $8.4 million to 187 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. A full job description is available here.

Interested applicants can view our previously recorded 2023 NC IDEA Fellowship Opportunities Information Session.

The Startup Analyst Fellowship applications for 2023 is officially closed. Applications typically open in the Fall for the following year.  For any additional questions please email programs@ncidea.org.

Summer Graduate Fellowship

Fellows receive the opportunity to work directly with emerging startups who have received NC IDEA SEED and MICRO grants or participated in NC IDEA LABS. This is a paid, full-time, 10-week commitment during June-August. While the opportunity is targeted at first year MBA candidates, students in other graduate programs with corresponding interest are also 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 our previously recorded 2023 NC IDEA Fellowship Opportunities Information Session.

The application for Summer 2023 is now closed. 

Summer Undergraduate Internship

Interns will learn about startups and the organizations across North Carolina that support entrepreneurship.  The internship is specifically targeted at entrepreneurially-minded undergraduate students who identify as a female, person of color, or reside in a hometown in a Tier 1 or Tier 2 economically distressed county of North Carolina.  Representing more than one of these criteria is a plus. This is a paid, full-time, 10-week commitment during June-August.  

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 our previously recorded 2023 NC IDEA Summer Undergraduate Internship Webinar Information Session.

The Summer Undergraduate Internship Application for 2023 if officially closed. Applications typically open in the Fall for the following year.  For any additional questions please email programs@ncidea.org.