Venture Debt Investment Intern - Summer 2027

Connecticut Innovations (CI)

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CI is Connecticut’s strategic venture capital arm and one of the most active early-stage investors on the eastern seaboard. CI has a portfolio of 250+ companies across 5 equity funds and a 1 venture debt fund. We have $550 million in assets under management, and our venture portfolio employs 4,000 jobs. In a typical year, we deploy $50 million and write between 60-80 checks. We review 750 companies per year and invite over 100 founders in to pitch us each year. We add 30 new companies to our portfolio annually, and we also invest as an LP in Connecticut-based venture capital funds.
We measure success through both financial returns and economic impact, including job creation. Over the past decade, CI has generated more than $400 million in returns and cumulatively, our portfolio companies have raised over $8 billion.
Fiscal 2026 was our best year on record. We generated $76.1 million in cash proceeds from all investment activities. Most of those proceeds came from our strong New Haven bioscience sector. In FY26 actuals, we invested $59.3 million into 75 early-stage companies and venture funds, and those deals pulled an additional $1.2 billion of outside capital into the state.
As of July 2026, CI earned the #1 spot in New England for portfolio exit value and ranked among top 5 East Coast venture firms investing at the Series B stage or earlier. Over the past 365 days, CI generated more than $125 million in cash returns.
Our culture is vibrant, diverse, collaborative, and inclusive. We embrace perspective and have mission alignment on our impact to Connecticut's innovation ecosystem.
Venture Debt Fund CI’s Venture Debt Fund provides flexible financing to early- and late-stage tech companies through venture and mezzanine debt. This type of capital helps startups grow without giving up significant equity. Mezzanine debt is a hybrid of debt and equity — typically offering higher interest rates and including warrants (the right to buy equity) as part of the return. We offer loans from $150,000 to $2 million, with fixed interest rates between 6% and 12%, terms of 3 to 5 years, and liens on company assets as collateral.We invest in technology-driven companies that are based in or open to relocating to Connecticut, with a focus on bioscience, IT, clean tech, photonics, and advanced materials. As an intern, you’ll get hands-on experience with startup financing, due diligence, and portfolio evaluation—ideal for anyone interested in venture capital, structured finance, or supporting innovation at the early stages.We seek MBA or undergraduate students with a strong interest in venture debt, who are eager to gain hands-on experience at the intersection of venture capital and lending.
Venture Debt Team InternshipJoin CI’s Venture Debt Team to gain hands-on venture capital experience in a fast-paced, innovative environment. Interns contribute to projects that strengthen the venture infrastructure, support due diligence, and drive portfolio success.
The Venture Debt Team is small in size, but each team member plays a pivotal role. The team values diverse perspectives, bold thinking, and mission alignment.
ResponsibilitiesCollect and analyze data on portfolio activity, industries, markets, and competitorsSupport investment monitoring, financial analysis, and market researchAssist with due diligence, including business plan assessment and company evaluationsBuild financial models and prepare presentations for the CI Investment CommitteeContribute to lead generation, sourcing, and business development activities
QualificationsCurrent MBA or undergraduate studentStrong interest in venture capital and early-stage innovationAnalytical and financial modeling skills or coursework in finance, economics, or accountingBased in or studying in ConnecticutAvailable to work hybrid in New Haven
Skills & CompetenciesPassionate about startups and community buildingCurious, proactive, and adaptableHighly organized with strong follow-throughSkilled communicator who can synthesize complex dataTeam-oriented with a positive attitude and sense of humor
The CI Intern ExperienceAs a CI Intern, you'll dive into Connecticut's startup ecosystem—learning, building, and connecting along the way.
You'll have an opportunity to:Participate in a structured venture capital curriculum, including investor-led workshops on pre-investment, diligence, and post-investment topicsWork alongside CI staff on active investments, from sourcing and diligence through post-investment supportProvide hands-on support to portfolio companiesPartner with interns across CI teams on cross-functional projectsMeet entrepreneurs, portfolio teams, and industry leadersAttend live pitches and executive sessionsJoin day trips to portfolio companies and fund partnersEnjoy fun events, exclusive CI swag, and catered lunches
What's next? Interns build relationships that can lead to opportunities after the program, including a potential path into CI's Analyst Program and introductions to roles inside our portfolio companies.
How We Work – The CI Way
We think as individuals and invest as a team. Our goal is never consensus — it is the best decision. Titles do not determine whose ideas matter. The best argument wins.We distinguish bad decisions from bad outcomes. Good decisions sometimes produce disappointing results, and poor decisions sometimes get lucky. We grade the quality of the thinking.Courage is a job requirement. When we believe an investment is wrong, we say so — in the room, on the record.Founders come first. Within the bounds of good judgment, we go out of our way to help entrepreneurs. We are allies, not obstacles.Humility and institutional memory. Every investment starts with a blank page. We are often wrong, so we stay open. We capture what each deal taught us so the next decision is better than the last.
Equal Opportunity EmployerConnecticut Innovations is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. xzbcwsv We welcome applicants of all backgrounds regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.