The internship program at the Zell Lurie Institute helps startup companies and venture capital firms hire University of Michigan students for a 12-week hands-on work experience. This program gives students the opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills while accelerating the advancement of the host company or their own venture.
There are three ways University of Michigan students can pursue an internship:
Company Driven - Host company sourced by the Zell Lurie Institute
External host companies from across the country connect with the Zell Lurie Institute to provide internship opportunities to U-M students.
Student Driven - Host company sourced by the student
Students take the initiative to recruit a host and shape the internship opportunity with a startup company or venture capital firm.
Self Hosted - Host company is the student startup
A limited number of internship opportunities are available for University of Michigan students to spend the summer executing their own business plans. Student founders are encouraged to apply for this opportunity if they have a complete business plan and have not received outside equity financing.
The host companies benefit from the knowledge and expertise of a University of Michigan student. Interns are an excellent resource for leading essential projects for a startup company to reach the next stage in business development. Within a venture capital firm, U-M student interns add immediate value by performing due diligence and researching investment strategies in new markets.
Are you a startup company or venture capital firm interested in hosting a U-M intern? Learn more about the Zell Lurie Internship Program by emailing zliinternships@umich.edu.
Venture Capital and Entrepreneurial Internship Postings Sophomores, Juniors, and MBA1s interested in an internship with a venture capital firm or startup company may review the internship postings on the Zell Lurie website. Please check back to find out more about the application process and informational session.
Participating Host Companies for 2023 - Current Postings
Augment Ventures
BackPac Technologies
Detroit Venture Partners
FoodFinder
Invest Detroit Ventures
Ocuphire Pharma
Poisera – and more!
Applications for 2023 are now live. Check below for the application forms for Company Driven, Student-Driven, and Self-Hosted Internships.
ZLI Internship Program Founders and Sponsors
The internship program through the Zell Lurie Institute is generously supported by the following individuals and foundations:
Marcel Gani
Supporting the belief that students can learn to be successful entrepreneurs through hands on experience with new venture companies, Marcel Gani's gift is used expressly for student internships. The Marcel Gani Internship Program finances students to spend their summer gaining outstanding hands-on experience with start-up companies and venture capital firms. Marcel Gani received an MBA (1978) from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and serves as an Advisory Board member to the Institute.
Robert & Judith Hooker
Liu Family & Bistrong Family
Applebaum Family Dare to Dream Internship Fund
Jeff & Cheryl Weedman
Brian & Jennifer Hermelin
Millard H. Pryor