Startups are facing difficult times due to COVID-19 while many university students and researchers are at home, unable to work because their offices and labs are closed. The #ISOLATIONINTERN platform connects these bright minds to startups through flexible internships so that expertise like data science, marketing, and development can be engaged on a part-time basis.
“Talent is the life-blood of startups; without the brightest minds, they cannot develop and adapt at the pace the market demands. Venture Capital, startups and academia are all part of a close-knit ecosystem, which has been put under pressure in the current COVID-19 crisis. It became clear to us at Blackfinch that we were in a position to act proactively to help secure that network and supercharge startup recruitment – and so #ISOLATIONINTERN was born.” - Richard Cook, CEO, Blackfinch
The scheme is backed by a number of prominent investment industry partners such as Nexus Investments, Breed Reply, Shakespeare Martineau, Clarendon Fund Managers, Mercia Asset Management and the Development Bank of Wales.
A number of leading universities will help by promoting the scheme to their students and researchers, including Lincoln, Bath, Southampton and the Department of Computer Science at the University of Oxford.
The #ISOLATIONINTERN platform is already hosting a number of intern jobs and is open to the investment industry and universities to sign up as partners. All listing fees will be donated to charities like The Access Project that help talented young people from disadvantaged backgrounds gain access to UK’s top universities.
The need for the #ISOLATIONINTERN initiative was identified through conversations between Blackfinch Group and the technology-enabled companies they invest in. As part of Blackfinch’s investment research process, it became clear that talent acquisition was already a problem for many startups, even before it was exacerbated by COVID-19 movement restrictions.
“We are very happy to support the #ISOLATIONINTERN initiative during these difficult times. It will allow our talented students access to exciting opportunities with innovative start-ups that they are able to undertake remotely. The commercial and entrepreneurial experience they gain will be a significant addition to their education.” - Dr Oliver Sampson, Industry Liaison Administrator at the Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford
Blackfinch is an award-winning investment specialist and trusted provider working in partnership with advisers. With a heritage dating back over 25 years, Blackfinch brings significant experience. Its businesses cover tax-efficient solutions, early-stage investing, managed portfolio services and property financing. Blackfinch is entrusted with over £300M in assets under management and administration.
