2025 Summer Graduate Startup Consultant Fellowship
NC IDEA is seeking two talented students with a demonstrated interest in startups and entrepreneurship for a summer opportunity providing consulting support to startups. 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 to gain leadership experience while 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 students are encouraged to register for the 2025 NC IDEA Summer Fellowship and Internship webinar on Wednesday, November 13th at 3 PM.
About NC IDEA
NC IDEA is an independent private, 501(c)(3) foundation whose vision is to help North Carolinians achieve their entrepreneurial ambition to start and grow high potential companies. NC IDEA fosters sustainable economic development with competitive grants and programs for entrepreneurs and funding to strengthen the North Carolina entrepreneurial ecosystem. NC IDEA offers grant funding and support on the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Learn more at www.ncidea.org.
Role and Responsibilities
Fellows will receive the opportunity to
work directly with emerging startups who have received NC IDEA’s SEED and
MICRO grants. This experience will allow fellows to dedicate their summer to a
diverse range of projects including, but not limited to:
Competitor analysis
Customer discovery
Customer segmentation
Financial modeling
Investor/valuation research
Marketing
Marketing segmentation and/or research
Pitch creation and feedback
Pricing analysis
Supply chain/procurement
Responsibilities include:
- Leading project teams, including creating and managing project schedules and overseeing undergraduate intern participation
- Scoping projects submitted by NC IDEA companies and staff
- Preparing project proposals
- Managing 10-12 projects over the course of the summer
- Mentoring undergraduate interns
- Independently managing calendar and project work, including meeting deadlines and preparing deliverables
Commitment
The fellowship requires a full-time, 40-hour/week commitment for 10 weeks during June-August. Selected candidates will be compensated at a rate of $1,500 a week.
Additional Benefits
Guests from the NC IDEA network will be invited to meet with fellows on topics of interest to further their knowledge of the startup landscape and develop connections that could be beneficial after the summer.
Fellows are considered valuable members of the NC IDEA team and will participate in the weekly staff meetings. Depending on their schedules, fellows are also invited to take part in NC IDEA meetings and events that are of interest, including NC IDEA grant recipient update meetings, ECOSYSTEM partner gatherings, and MICRO programming. They will also receive the advice and mentorship of the staff and will be afforded opportunities to network with entrepreneurs, investors, and advisors from around the state.
Resumes will be accepted until positions are filled. Additional questions can be directed to programs@ncidea.org.