Intern/Praktikant - Startup Scout & Dealflow Manager (w/m/d)

About Founders Bay

Founders Bay Impact Accelerator is an intensive, six-month full-time program for startup teams, running twice per year. We pioneer startup support beyond major metropolitan areas and in rural regions, focusing on teams that have progressed beyond a concept or prototype. Our unique approach combines the advantages of rural spaces with impact expertise and top-tier startup support through individual mentorship, targeted workshops, impact learning, weekly meetings, and collaborative work in our Founders Homes distributed across Germany.

Role Overview

You'll build the dealflow engine for a real accelerator using AI and startup instinct, with a focus on finding founders emerging outside the bubble. Our niche is rural areas—not a limitation, but our competitive edge. Finding startups there means thinking differently, searching differently, and evaluating differently.

Key Responsibilities

Startup Scouting & Research

• Find startups unknown to the mainstream—in rural areas, beyond usual platforms
• Develop intuition for where exciting founder teams emerge
• Conduct active research via LinkedIn, local networks, universities, funding programs, and events
• Identify suitable startups based on program criteria

Communication & Relationship Building

• Be one of the first faces of Founders Bay to many founders
• Proactively reach out to founders and lead initial conversations
• Guide them through the application process
• Conduct initial outreach via email, LinkedIn, and cold outreach
• Lead qualification calls with founder teams
• Build and maintain relationships with relevant founder communities and local networks

Dealflow Process & Screening

• Structure incoming applications and maintain overview—who fits, who doesn't, and why
• Evaluate and pre-qualify incoming applications against clear criteria
• Maintain and document information in CRM (Notion/Airtable)

Automation & AI Integration

• Help gradually automate the dealflow process using AI—no developer experience required, but curiosity and willingness to learn are essential
• Build scouting and screening workflows together using tools like Make, n8n, or Clay
• Leverage LLMs (e.g., Claude) to support research and analysis

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled as a student at a university and/or have initial experience in high-growth startups or high-performing environments such as strategy consulting, investment banking, or venture capital
• Strong interest in startups and entrepreneurship
• Ability to work independently and proactively
• Excellent communication skills in German and English