Business Development Intern

The Founders; Mumbai; On-site; INR 167,000 - 391,000; Part time

Job summary

The Founders in Mumbai is seeking a Business Development & Events Intern to work closely with the founders on building and scaling our events, programs and business initiatives. This role is highly execution-oriented with exposure to sales, partnerships, sponsorships, events, and the startup ecosystem.

You will drive revenue across offerings including ticket sales, sponsorships and courses, while supporting end-to-end planning and execution of events.

Qualifications

• Pursuing or completed degree in Business or related fields.
• Experience or interest in events, startup ecosystem and sponsorships.
• Strong communication and relationship-building abilities.

Responsibilities

• Drive sales across events, courses, accelerator programs and other offerings.
• Identify and develop prospective customer and participant pipelines.
• Conduct outbound outreach via calls, WhatsApp, email, LinkedIn and other channels.
• Coordinate with founders, speakers, investors, partners and sponsors for events.
• Support end-to-end event planning, registrations, logistics and on-ground coordination.
• Build long-term relationships with sponsors, ecosystem partners and participants.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Prospect follow-up

Relationship building

Networking

Commercial awareness

Organisation

Coordination

Execution mindset

Target orientation

Education

BBA / BMS / B.Com / MBA / Finance / Economics / Marketing / Business Analytics / Management

Job description

We are looking for aBusiness Development & Events Internto join our team and work

closely with the founders on building and scaling our events, programs, and business

initiatives.

This is a highly execution-oriented role with significant exposure tobusiness development,

sales, partnerships, sponsorships, events, and the startup and investment

ecosystem.

The candidate will be responsible for driving revenue across our offerings, includingevent

ticket sales, sponsorships, partnerships, courses, and accelerator programs, while

also supporting the end-to-end planning and execution of events.

The role is particularly suited for someone who wants to build a career inbusiness, finance,

Key Responsibilities

1. Business Development & Sales

Drive sales across the organisation's events, courses, accelerator programs and

other offerings.

Identify and develop prospective customer and participant pipelines.

Conduct outbound outreach through calls, WhatsApp, email, LinkedIn and other

Engage with founders, students, professionals, investors and potential participants to

understand their requirements and communicate relevant offerings.

Manage the sales funnel fromlead generation and qualification to follow-up and

conversion.

Maintain accurate records of leads, conversations, follow-ups and conversions.

Work towards defined revenue and conversion targets.

Take ownership of ticket sales and registrations for founder, investor and

startup-focused events.

Develop and execute outreach strategies to drive event participation.

Coordinate with speakers, founders, investors, partners, sponsors, vendors and

Support the end-to-end execution of events, including pre-event planning,

registrations, logistics and on-ground coordination.

Ensure a seamless experience for participants, speakers, sponsors and partners.

Support post-event follow-ups and relationship management.

3. Sponsorships & Strategic Partnerships

Research and identify relevant brands, companies and ecosystem organisations for

event sponsorships.

Develop and maintain a pipeline of potential sponsors and partners.

Conduct outreach and pitch sponsorship and partnership opportunities.

Assist in preparing customised sponsorship proposals and commercial offerings.

Coordinate negotiations, follow-ups and closure of sponsorship opportunities.

Build long-term relationships with sponsors, communities, institutions and ecosystem

partners.

Drive enrolments for our courses, workshops and learning programs.

Identify prospective participants and communicate the value proposition of relevant

programs.

Sell and promote ouraccelerator programsto eligible startups and founders.

Engage with prospective founders to understand their requirements and guide them

towards suitable programs.

Follow up with leads and maintain a structured conversion pipeline.

Work closely with the founding team to continuously improve the sales process and

messaging.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who demonstrates:

Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Confidence in speaking with new people and initiating conversations.

Ability to independently follow up and manage prospects.

Strong relationship-building and networking skills.

Commercial awareness and an ability to understand and communicate value

propositions.

Strong organisational and coordination skills.

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Ownership mindset with a strong bias towards execution.

Willingness to work on targets and take responsibility for outcomes.

Comfort with attending and managing events on-ground.

Preferred Background

Candidates pursuing or having completed a degree in:

BBA / BMS / B.Com / MBA / Finance / Economics / Marketing / Business Analytics /

Managementor related disciplines will be preferred.

However, we are equally open to candidates who demonstrate strong communication, sales

ability and genuine interest in the business and investment ecosystem.

What You Will Gain

This internship is designed to providepractical exposure rather than a purely

observational experience.

You will get the opportunity to:

Work directly with the founding team.

Develop practical business development and sales skills.

Learn how sponsorship and partnership deals are developed and closed.

Gain hands-on experience in event management and execution.

Understand how startup events and investor networks are built.

Interact with founders, investors and senior professionals.

Develop exposure toVC, PE and Investment Banking ecosystems.

Understand the startup fundraising and investment lifecycle.

Build a professional network across the entrepreneurial and investment ecosystem.

Develop skills in negotiation, pitching, communication and relationship management.

Take ownership of real business targets and initiatives.

For candidates interested in building a long-term career infinance, investment banking,

venture capital, private equity, startups or business, this role offers an opportunity to

gain direct exposure to the ecosystem while developing core commercial skills.