NC IDEA’s Startup Analyst Fellowship

NC IDEA’s Startup Analyst Fellowship program consists of a year-long/two-semester fellowship. This program is targeted at 1^st year MBA students (and into their 2^nd year), but students in other related programs are welcome to apply.

This program is ideal for students interested in 1) having an investment career with an angel/venture capital firm or 2) 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. Students typically receive school credit during both the Spring and Fall 2019 semesters. Students are responsible for making those arrangements with their instructor(s).

About NC IDEA
NC IDEA is an independent private foundation committed to supporting entrepreneurial ambition and economic advancement in North Carolina. Today, the organization fulfills this mission through multiple grant and assistance programs. More on information on NC IDEA and its programs be found at www.ncidea.org.

NC IDEA works closely with innovative startups across the state by providing early financing in the form of grants through its program NC IDEASEED. Since its inception in 2006, NC IDEA SEED has awarded over $5.6 million to 131 companies across the state.

Startup Analyst Fellow Role and Responsibilities
Throughout the course of the year-long engagement, Startup Analyst Fellows (3-4 will be selected) can expect to be part of a team reviewing over 300 SEED grant applications (business plans) from growth-oriented startups across North Carolina in business categories such as (software, IP-based technologies, medical device/diagnostics, consumer products). These applications are evaluated through an “investor’s lens,” as the principal goal of NC IDEA SEED is to position companies for further growth and/or funding. 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.

*Startup Analyst Fellows for NC IDEA SEED will also move to “first-in-line” for NC IDEA’s full-time, paid summer internship. Students serving in this capacity have opportunities to fully engage with winning SEED grant companies over the course of the summer.

Expectations/Commitment
During the Spring and Fall semesters, Startup Analyst Fellows will work with NC IDEA on a part-time basis (approximately 10 hours per week) supporting the SEED grant cycle application process. Fellows typically receive class credit for this work and are responsible for making those arrangements with their instructor(s).

Responsibilities for each semester include:

• Help in the facilitation of the SEED grant cycles by working closely with the Program Director and NC IDEA
• Evaluate SEED grant applications (business plans) and provide feedback to the applicants.
• Attend and actively participate in review meetings (3-4 each grant cycle), including final pitch day.
• Conduct due diligence during semi-finalist and final rounds of the SEED grant cycle, including assisting in the final selection of SEED grant recipients.
• Process improvement initiatives as deemed necessary.

In addition, Startup Analyst Fellows are considered valuable members of the NC IDEA team for the duration of the year-long engagement and are encouraged to participate in the weekly staff meetings and/or various grant update meetings to receive the advice and mentorship of the staff.

For full consideration, please apply by Wednesday, October 31^st here. Additional questions can be directed to programs@ncidea.org.