Summer Intern Program
Launch Tennessee connects students with impactful summer internships at TN startups, ecosystem builders, and venture capital firms.
Summer Intern Program
Launch Tennessee connects students with impactful summer internships at TN startups, ecosystem builders, and venture capital firms.
Ready to make an impact this summer?
Ready to make an impact this summer?
Join hundreds of interns that have gained invaluable experience working with host companies across Tennessee. Don’t miss the chance to work with high-growth startups, venture capital firms, or regional entrepreneur centers
Fast Facts
STUDENTS
Jump-start your career with LaunchTN's paid Summer Intern Program!
Are you looking for a paid opportunity to make an impact and build valuable professional experience this summer? LaunchTN Summer Intern Program alumni consistently share that their experiences and the relationships built proved memorable, enjoyable, and highly relevant in pursuing innovative career paths.
Interns work at any of 3 different types of Host Companies:
Startup
Work at a high-growth Tennessee based company. Startups are innovative companies that seek to offer unique products and services, and they’re often thought of as “disruptors” in their markets. Read this article to learn more about what a startup is.
Ecosystem Builder
Regional Entrepreneur Centers (RECs) are hubs for entrepreneurs, creators, and organizations in their communities providing support and resources to foster growth and connection. LaunchTN partners with eight TN RECs.
Venture Capital
Work at a VC firm that supports and invests in startups. Venture Capital investors provide young companies with capital (funds) in exchange for equity (an ownership stake). Read this article to learn more about what a VC is.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
- Earn $17/hour throughout the summer term, up to $8,160 total
- Participate from May to August 2025, with flexible start and end dates to accommodate student schedules and Host Company preferences
- Report directly to a supervisor at the Host Company
- Have access to mentors and advisors in addition to a supervisor
- Participate in professional development opportunities throughout the summer with the cohort
ELIGIBILITY
- Currently enrolled college student (including doctoral or master’s programs) or a recent graduate (no earlier than December 2024)
- Ability to reside in Tennessee during the internship (some remote internships available)
- Interest in innovation or entrepreneurship and working in a flexible, ever-changing environment
- A strong communicator, curious and adaptable
- Interest in entrepreneurship and innovation, startups, startup ecosystems, equity investing, and/or technology
TIMELINE
- NOV. 22, 2024: Applications open
- FEB. 14, 2025: Applications close
- FEB. 21, 2025: Applicants approved to the candidate pool
- EARLY MARCH 2025: Candidate pool applicants receive list of open positions to review
- MID MARCH 2025: Deadline for applicants to rank top locations
- MARCH 2025: Host Company interviewing period
- MARCH 28, 2025: Deadline for interns to be selected by Host Company
- APRIL 18, 2025: Agreements signed
- MAY 2025: Internships begin
- JUNE-AUG. 2025: Professional development opportunities
- AUG. 2025: Internships end
- SEPT. 5, 2025: Exit surveys
Student applications are currently closed for the 2025 Summer Intern Program.
Applications are open for the 2025 Summer Intern Program through February 14, 2025.
Participation in Launch Tennessee’s Summer Intern Program is subject to the availability of funding and resources. LaunchTN reserves the sole discretion to make decisions regarding the acceptance of both host organizations and interns.
HOST COMPANIES
Bring fresh new ideas to your business – host a LaunchTN intern!
We invite Tennessee-located startup companies, venture capital firms, and entrepreneur centers to apply to host a summer intern. LaunchTN facilitates intern recruitment, professional development for students, and in many cases shares the cost of the student stipend (dependent on host company ability to pay, as determined through application process). Interns have access to LaunchTN-hosted networking and professional development opportunities throughout the summer.
Host Companies continue to find value in summer intern placements and the caliber of work they complete throughout the summer. Many host companies extend their engagements with interns (some have even ended up hiring their interns, stating that the program provided a great means for testing skills prior to making a permanent hiring decision).
Program
- Host companies may select from LaunchTN’s applicant pool or suggest student candidates they identify on their own (pending approval from LaunchTN).
- Interns work a full or part time schedule (up to 40 hours/week) over a 12-14 week period (depending on students’ school schedules and your company’s needs).
- Host companies are not guaranteed an intern(s) placement. 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(s) payment throughout the duration of the internship period. LaunchTN will supplement up to 50% of the stipend (amount determined through review of information provided in application and number of host companies supported).
- Host companies may apply for more than one intern on a single application, as long as they fill out the requested description information for each position.
Eligibility & Requirements
- A Tennessee-located startup, entrepreneur center, or venture capital firm
- Clear and meaningful internship scope of work for potential intern
- Define a specific project or general scope of work for the intern position and create a management plan.
- Participate in the interview process:
- LaunchTN conducts the initial review of applications.
- LaunchTN matches interested candidates with companies and shares student applications
- Host companies reach out to candidates and conduct interviews.
- Host companies extend offers to selected candidate(s), and once accepted notify LaunchTN.
- Assign a supervisor for the intern who will conduct weekly (minimum) check-ins.
- Identify a mentor/advisor for the intern (other than the supervisor).
- Willing and able to directly pay student throughout summer internship
- Host company will directly pay intern at least $17/hour in alignment with approved per week hours listed on your application.
- At $17/hour, an intern working a full 40-hour week for 12 weeks would be paid $8,160 total.
- LaunchTN may award host company partial financial support toward intern payment.
Benefits
- Program promotion to recruit student applicants
- Tailored applicant pool of interested candidates
- Selected candidate information packets provided to host companies
- Student contracts
- Partial stipend support toward intern payment
- Networking and learning events for interns
Timeline
- NOV. 22, 2024: Applications open
- JAN. 31, 2025: Applications close
- LATE FEB. 2025: Host Companies selected
- EARLY MARCH 2025: Tailored candidate list sent to Host Company
- MARCH 2025: Host company interviewing period
- MARCH 28, 2025: Interns selected by Host Company
- APRIL 18, 2025: Agreements signed
- MAY 2025: Internships begin
- JUNE-AUG. 2025: Professional development opportunities provided to interns
- AUGUST 2025: Internships end
- SEPT. 5, 2025: Exit surveys
Host Company applications are currently closed for the 2025 Summer Intern Program.
Participation in Launch Tennessee’s Summer Intern Program is subject to the availability of funding and resources. LaunchTN reserves the sole discretion to make decisions regarding the acceptance of both host organizations and interns.
STUDENTS
Jumpstart your career with LaunchTN's paid Summer Intern Program!
Are you looking for a paid opportunity to make an impact and build valuable professional experience this summer? LaunchTN Summer Intern Program alumni consistently share that their experiences and the relationships built proved memorable, enjoyable, and highly relevant in pursuing innovative career paths.
Interns work at any of 3 different types of Host Companies:
Startup
Work at a high-growth Tennessee based company. Startups are innovative companies that seek to offer unique products and services, and they’re often thought of as “disruptors” in their markets. Read this article to learn more about what a startup is.
Ecosystem Builder
Regional Entrepreneur Centers (RECs) are hubs for entrepreneurs, creators, and organizations in their communities providing support and resources to foster growth and connection. LaunchTN partners with eight TN RECs.
Venture Capital
Work at a VC firm that supports and invests in startups. Venture Capital investors provide young companies with capital (funds) in exchange for equity (an ownership stake). Read this article to learn more about what a VC is.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
- Earn $17/hour throughout the summer term, up to $8,160 total
- Participate from May to August 2025, with flexible start and end dates to accommodate student schedules and Host Company preferences
- Report directly to a supervisor at the Host Company
- Have access to mentors and advisors in addition to a supervisor
- Participate in professional development opportunities throughout the summer with the cohort
ELIGIBILITY
- Currently enrolled college student (including doctoral or master’s programs) or a recent graduate (no earlier than December 2024)
- Ability to reside in Tennessee during the internship (some remote internships available)
- Interest in innovation or entrepreneurship and working in a flexible, ever-changing environment
- A strong communicator, curious and adaptable
- Interest in entrepreneurship and innovation, startups, startup ecosystems, equity investing, and/or technology
TIMELINE
- NOV. 22, 2024: Applications open
- FEB. 14, 2025: Applications close
- FEB. 21, 2025: Applicants approved to the candidate pool
- EARLY MARCH 2025: Candidate pool applicants receive list of open positions to review
- MID MARCH 2025: Deadline for applicants to rank top locations
- MARCH 2025: Host Company interviewing period
- MARCH 28, 2025: Deadline for interns to be selected by Host Company
- APRIL 18, 2025: Agreements signed
- MAY 2025: Internships begin
- JUNE-AUG. 2025: Professional development opportunities
- AUG. 2025: Internships end
- SEPT. 5, 2025: Exit surveys
Applications are open for the 2025 Summer Intern Program through February 14, 2025.
Participation in Launch Tennessee’s Summer Intern Program is subject to the availability of funding and resources. LaunchTN reserves the sole discretion to make decisions regarding the acceptance of both host organizations and interns.
Student applications are currently closed for the 2025 Summer Intern Program.
HOST COMPANIES
Bring fresh new ideas to your business – host a LaunchTN intern!
We invite Tennessee-located startup companies, venture capital firms, and entrepreneur centers to apply to host a summer intern. LaunchTN facilitates intern recruitment, professional development for students, and in many cases shares the cost of the student stipend (dependent on host company ability to pay, as determined through application process). Interns have access to LaunchTN-hosted networking and professional development opportunities throughout the summer.
Host Companies continue to find value in summer intern placements and the caliber of work they complete throughout the summer., Many host companies extend their engagements with interns (some have even ended up hiring their interns, stating that the program provided a great means for testing skills prior to making a permanent hiring decision).
Program
- Host companies may select from LaunchTN’s applicant pool or suggest student candidates they identify on their own (pending approval from LaunchTN).
- Interns work a full or part time schedule (up to 40 hours/week) over a 12-14 week period (depending on students’ school schedules and your company’s needs).
- Host companies are not guaranteed an intern(s) placement. 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(s) payment throughout the duration of the internship period. LaunchTN will supplement up to 50% of the stipend (amount determined through review of information provided in application and number of host companies supported).
- Host companies may apply for more than one intern on a single application, as long as they fill out the requested description information for each position.
Eligibility & Requirements
- A Tennessee-located startup, entrepreneur center, or venture capital firm
- Clear and meaningful internship scope of work for potential intern
- Define a specific project or general scope of work for the intern position and create a management plan.
- Participate in the interview process:
- LaunchTN conducts the initial review of applications.
- LaunchTN matches interested candidates with companies and shares student applications
- Host companies reach out to candidates and conduct interviews.
- Host companies extend offers to selected candidate(s), and once accepted notify LaunchTN.
- Assign a supervisor for the intern who will conduct weekly (minimum) check-ins.
- Identify a mentor/advisor for the intern (other than the supervisor).
- Willing and able to directly pay student throughout summer internship
- Host company will directly pay intern at least $17/hour in alignment with approved per week hours listed on your application.
- At $17/hour, an intern working a full 40-hour week for 12 weeks would be paid $8,160 total.
- LaunchTN may award host company partial financial support toward intern payment.
Benefits
- Program promotion to recruit student applicants
- Tailored applicant pool of interested candidates
- Selected candidate information packets provided to host companies
- Student contracts
- Partial stipend support toward intern payment
- Networking and learning events for interns
Timeline
- NOV. 22, 2024: Applications open
- JAN. 31, 2025: Applications close
- LATE FEB. 2025: Host Companies selected
- EARLY MARCH 2025: Tailored candidate list sent to Host Company
- MARCH 2025: Host company interviewing period
- MARCH 28, 2025: Interns selected by Host Company
- APRIL 18, 2025: Agreements signed
- MAY 2025: Internships begin
- JUNE-AUG. 2025: Professional development opportunities provided to interns
- AUGUST 2025: Internships end
- SEPT. 5, 2025: Exit surveys
Host Company applications are currently closed for the 2025 Summer Intern Program.
Here's what participants had to say
INTERN
I was nervous about what opportunities would be available for me right after I came home from college, with this summer internship it was the perfect transition I needed! I learned so much in just a few months, and showed my full potential as an employee that led to me receiving a full time position at the same agency!
MAELEY DERRYBERRY
Ayers Entrepreneur Center
HOST COMPANY
The opportunity to host interns through the LaunchTN Intern Program has allowed us to source exceptional talent in a scalable and sustainable way. This program has become a key part of our strategy for building a strong, innovative team as we continue to grow.
IDICULA MATHEW
Hera Health Solutions
INTERN
KATHERINE ALEJANDRA MIRANDA
YAYA Scientific
Past Host Companies
