Entrepreneur Internship Program and Fair
The Crews Center for Entrepreneurship Entrepreneur Internship Program connects University of Memphis students with startups and growing businesses for paid, hands-on internships. Students take what they learn in the classroom into real ventures. Employers get motivated local talent and help train the next generation of business leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs.
Internships last about 10 weeks and run during the Spring 2027 and Summer 2027 semesters.
Key Dates
- October 1, 2026
- Student and employer applications open
- October 31, 2026
- Student applications and Employer Interest Forms due
- November 6, 2026
- Selected businesses notified (rolling, no later than this date)
- November 12, 2026
- Entrepreneur Internship Fair, 2:30–5 p.m.
- January 5, 2027
- Employer hiring decisions due for Spring 2027 internships
- April 1, 2027
- Employer hiring decisions due for Summer 2027 internships
Entrepreneurs Internship Fair
Meet University of Memphis students and recruit interns for Spring and Summer 2027.
- DATE: Thursday, November 12, 2026
- TIME: 2:30 - 5:00 PM
- LOCATION: Crews Center for Entrepreneurship (3618 Walker Avenue, Memphis, TN)
Spend a semester working inside a startup or growth-stage company. Along with real work experience, you’ll build professional and leadership skills and become part of the Memphis entrepreneurship community.
Why Apply
- Test your skills. See what it takes to build an early-stage, innovative venture.
- Learn from entrepreneurs. Get front-row, hands-on experience working directly with founders.
- Put your coursework to work. Take entrepreneurship out of the classroom and into the real world.
- Get paid or earn credit. Most internships are paid. Some students may earn course credit when a paid internship isn’t available.
Industries
Host companies include startups, small businesses and mid-size companies in fields such as:
- Technology and AI
- Software engineering
- Healthcare and bioscience
- Marketing
- Accounting
- Fashion
- Nonprofit
New host companies are added through November.
Who Can Apply
- Students from any University of Memphis college or major may apply. You must:
- Be a sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student (freshmen and students graduating before the internship term are not eligible)
- Be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours during your internship semester
- Not be studying abroad during your internship semester
- Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Show an interest in entrepreneurship
What You’ll Need
- Your application will ask for:
- Your resume
- Your academic background
- Your skills and experience
- Your interest in entrepreneurship
What to Expect
- Interns work about 8–20 hours per week for roughly 10 weeks.
- You’ll join a weekly virtual check-in with the Crews Center for professional development and progress updates.
How to Apply
- Register for the Entrepreneur Internship Fair by October 31, 2026.
- Browse internship postings on Handshake, the Crews Center website and in Crews Center emails.
- Attend the fair on November 12 with copies of your resume.
Need entrepreneurial-minded interns? The Entrepreneur Internship Program gives your company exclusive access to talented University of Memphis undergraduate and graduate students for Spring and Summer 2027. Many participating companies hire new interns each semester or keep their interns on beyond the first term.
Why Host an Intern
- Add fresh talent. Bring motivated students with new perspectives and immediate support to your team.
- Build leadership experience. Mentor the next generation while gaining practice onboarding and leading new team members.
- Grow with local talent. Build a strong pipeline of top University of Memphis candidates as your company scales.
Who Can Participate
Your organization must be one of the following:
- Early-stage company: Started within the last 10 years, with 2–50 full-time employees (not contractors) at the time of application. Companies should have a promising business model with validation from customers or investors and be pre-Series B.
- Search fund–backed company: Acquired within the last two years.
- Established company in an industry ripe for disruption: Must have an innovation or research and development function. Special approval required.
- Entrepreneurship ecosystem partner: An organization that supports entrepreneurs and small businesses. Special approval required.
Companies selling products or services that are not legal in all 50 states (or in the country where the internship takes place) are not eligible.
Not sure if you qualify? Download the eligibility checklist.
Mentor Requirement
Each company must assign a mentor to its intern. The mentor should:
- Be a seasoned industry expert or entrepreneur with 10–15 years of relevant experience
- Be available to meet with the intern at least once a week
The mentor doesn’t have to be the intern’s day-to-day supervisor. If the founders don’t meet these requirements, an actively engaged board member or investor may serve as mentor.
How to Participate
- Submit the interest form. Complete the Employer Interest Form by October 31, 2026. We recommend applying early.
- Pay the registration fee. Once accepted, you’ll receive a link to the University of Memphis payment portal for the nonrefundable $50 registration fee.
- Attend the fair. Meet students at the Entrepreneur Internship Fair on November 12, 2026.
Have this information ready for the interest form:
- Company name and web address
- Contact person
- Company location
- Work location (remote, hybrid or onsite)
- Short job description
- Stipend or pay (if known)
Students
Who is eligible for the Entrepreneur Internship Program?
University of Memphis sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students in any major with a 3.0 GPA or higher. You must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours and not studying abroad during your internship semester.
Are the internships paid?
Most are. Participating companies are strongly encouraged to pay interns. A limited number of students may earn course credit instead when a paid internship isn’t available.
When do internships take place?
Internships run about 10 weeks during the Spring and Summer semesters. The program is not offered in the Fall.
How many hours will I work?
About 8–20 hours per week.
What else is required during the internship?
Interns attend a weekly virtual check-in with the Crews Center.
Employers
How much should we pay our intern?
We strongly encourage hourly pay, a stipend or a salary so your offer is competitive with other internships. Companies that offer less may have a harder time recruiting. Your company pays the intern directly. Benefits are not expected, and equity awards are not allowed.
How many internships can we post?
As many as you need. These HR position description templates can help you write your postings.
How will students find our internship?
Students can find your posting on Handshake, on the Crews Center website and through targeted emails to students seeking internships. They’ll also meet you at the Entrepreneur Internship Fair, and you can direct them to apply through Handshake.
Who manages interviews and offers?
Your company does. You’ll review Handshake applicants, schedule interviews and send offer letters. We encourage you to make offers as soon as you find the right candidate.
When do we need to make hiring decisions?
By January 5, 2027, for Spring internships and April 1, 2027, for Summer internships. Please let the Crews Center know who you hire.
What if we need to cancel?
Space is limited, so please let us know right away if you need to cancel. Other employers may be waiting to register. The registration fee is nonrefundable and nontransferable, including for no-shows.
Contact
Questions? Email the Crews Center for Entrepreneurship at crewscenter@memphis.edu..