The Founders Bay Impact Accelerator is an intensive, six-month, full-time program for startup teams, running twice a year. As pioneers in supporting startups outside major metropolitan areas and in rural regions, we get involved in the early stages – ideal for teams that already have more than one concept or prototype.

Our unique approach combines the advantages of rural areas with impact know-how and first-class startup support: individual support, targeted workshops, impact learnings and weekly meetings as well as collaborative work in our Founders Homes distributed throughout Germany.

You don’t want to make coffee – you want to help build the deal flow engine for a real accelerator. With AI, startup instinct, and an eye for founders emerging outside the bubble.

Our niche is rural areas. That’s not a limitation – it’s our edge. Finding startups there means thinking differently, searching differently, evaluating differently. Your internship will be anything but standard.

What you will do with us

Startup Scouting & Research

You’ll discover startups that nobody knows about yet – in rural areas, off the beaten track. You’ll develop a knack for spotting exciting founding teams.

• Active research via LinkedIn, local networks, universities, funding programs and events
• Identifying suitable startups based on our program criteria

Communication & Relationship Building

You are one of the first faces of Founders Bay for many founders. You actively approach them, conduct initial interviews, and guide them through the application process.

• Initial contact and outreach via email, LinkedIn, etc. – also on a cold calling basis
• Conducting initial interviews and qualification calls with founding teams
• Building and maintaining relationships with relevant startup communities and local networks

Deal flow process & screening

You structure the incoming applications and help to keep track of who is a good fit, who is not, and why.

• Evaluation and pre-qualification of incoming applications according to clear criteria
• Maintenance and documentation in CRM (Notion / Airtable)

Automation – together with us

We want to gradually automate the deal flow process with AI – and you’ll help us build it. You don’t need to be a developer, but curiosity and a willingness to learn are essential.

• Joint development of scouting and screening workflows using tools such as Make, n8n or Clay
• Use of LLMs (e.g., Claude) to support research and analysis

• You are enrolled as a student at a university and/or have already gained initial experience in high-growth startups or other high-performing environments such as strategy consultancies, investment banks or in the field of venture capital.
• You have a strong affinity for impact trends, innovations, and technologies.
• Strong communication skills and enjoyment in approaching strangers – even without a warm introduction.
• You enjoy working independently and are highly results-oriented.
• Experience with tools such as Claude, Perplexity, Make / n8n, Notion, Slack.
• An affinity for impact issues, innovations and rural areas is an advantage.

• You’re building something that actually works – and contributing to the next generation of impact startups.
• Direct access to founders, investors and a startup ecosystem away from the usual hubs
• Short decision-making processes, real responsibility from day one.
• Long-term development opportunities and a genuine network in the startup world

Does this sound like the perfect workplace for you? Then apply now and become part of our team!

We value humility and are as interested in your character as your talent. Please apply even if you don’t meet all of the listed criteria. Diversity fosters innovation, and we offer an international and friendly work environment with a dynamic company culture.