Anderson Center

Startup Internship Support Program

Anderson Center

Program overview

The Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ACEI) Startup Internship Support program connects University of Tennessee, Knoxville, students with meaningful internship experiences at early-stage ventures and emerging businesses while reducing financial barriers to startups hiring talent. The ACEI provides financial support by reimbursing qualified startups 50 percent of student intern wages, up to $2,500 per student per semester.

Anderson Center Startup Internship Support Program

Startup Internship Support Goals

Student Experience Objectives

  1. Provide substantive, real-world entrepreneurial experience where students work on meaningful projects, not administrative tasks
  2. Develop entrepreneurial skills and mindset through exposure to startup culture, problem-solving and innovation
  3. Build professional networks and mentorship relationships with entrepreneurs and startup ecosystem leaders
  4. Create career pathway opportunities in entrepreneurship, innovation and startup environments
  5. Apply academic learning to practical business challenges through hands-on project work
  6. Enhance employability through demonstrated initiative, adaptability and startup experience

Startup/Ecosystem Development Objectives

  1. Support early-stage Tennessee ventures with access to affordable, high-quality student talent
  2. Strengthen connections between UT and regional entrepreneurship ecosystem
  3. Increase Tennessee post-graduation retention through startup employment pathways
  4. Generate economic development impact through startup growth and job creation

Startup Eligibility Criteria (Please make this section click to expand)

  • Company no older than five years
  • Tennessee-based
  • Annual revenue under $1 million
  • Commitment to providing meaningful learning experiences and mentorship in a safe work environment
  • Must pay interns at least minimum wage and comply with all labor laws

“We had an intern through the program, and we connected and liked her so much that we decided to extend a full-time job offer to her before she started her senior year.”

-Anna Douglas, Skynano

Anderson Center

Startup Internship Support Process

Startup Application and Selection

  • Startup representative submits an application describing the internship role, learning objectives and supervision plan
  • ACEI reviews applications based on internship quality, venture viability and student learning potential
  • ACEI notifies selected startups
  • Startup representative posts internship on Handshake

Student Recruitment and Placement

  • ACEI promotes approved internships to qualified UT students across all colleges
  • Startup conducts interviews and make hiring decisions
  • ACEI provides an internship agreement template outlining expectations and reimbursement terms

Internship Execution

  • Startup pays intern wages directly (bi-weekly or monthly in accordance with their payroll process)
  • Student completes internship, working five to 20 hours per week during a semester or up to full-time during summer
  • ACEI conducts mid-semester check-in to assess experience quality

Reimbursement Process

  • Startup representative submits monthly reimbursement request with timesheet and proof of payment
  • ACEI program coordinator reviews request and verifies documentation completeness and accuracy
  • UT processes 50 percent reimbursement, up to $2,500 per semester

Program Evaluation

  • End-of-semester surveys from students and startups assess experience quality and learning outcomes
  • Students submit a brief reflection on skills developed and learning achieved
  • ACEI tracks student outcomes: continued employment, venture launches, career pathways

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