In the framework of the Summer Internship Program, undergraduate and graduate students have participated in Tennessee’s startup community via paid summer internships. Interns work at one of the funding source's statewide partner entrepreneur centers, high-growth startups, or venture firms across Tennessee.

Tennessee-based startups, venture capital firms, and entrepreneur centers are invited to apply to host a summer intern. LaunchTN will facilitate intern recruitment, and onboarding support, and may share costs for the student stipend. For selected interns, they offer networking and professional development opportunities throughout the summer.

The program offers three different tracks - Startup, Ecosystem Builder, and Venture Capital - to provide interns with hands-on experience in their chosen field.

• Startups: Interns will have the opportunity to work with a Tennessee-based startup, learning on the job from successful entrepreneurs. 
• Ecosystem Builder: The Ecosystem Builder Track allows interns to work at Tennessee-based entrepreneur centers, which support founders in cities statewide. 
• Venture Capital: Venture capital firms offer interns the chance to work with a venture capital team that's investing in startups. 

Interns:

• Compensation begins at $15 per hour
• Participate in the program from May to August 2023, with flexible start and end dates depending on student schedules and company preferences
• Report directly to a supervisor at the host company or entrepreneur center
• Have access to a mentor(s) or advisor(s) in addition to their assigned supervisor
• Participate in a LaunchTN onboarding event, join professional development events, and have the opportunity to participate in the Summer Summit.

Companies:

• Host companies accepted into the program may receive funding from LaunchTN to help cover the cost of the intern.
• Host companies may recruit their own student candidates and are not required to select from LaunchTN’s applicant pool.
• Interns will be on a full-time schedule (40 hours/week) over a 12-14 week period (depending on students’ school schedules).
• Host companies are not guaranteed an intern. Successful placements require mutual interest from the company and the intern applicant, as well as adherence to the timeline and program requirements.
• Host companies are responsible for intern payment throughout the duration of the internship period.
• Host companies may apply for more than one intern on a single application. 

Company Benefits:

• Program promotion to recruit student applicants
• Applicant screening
• Selected candidate-information packets to host companies
• Intern management plans, as needed, in conjunction with host companies
• Student contracts
• Networking and learning events for interns
• Social media platforms and other opportunities for alumni and current participants to connect on
• Education for interns on resources in the startup community
• Exit surveys and program data