connecting deep-tech talent, scientists, engineers, and innovators with enterprise and cross-sector collaboration opportunities. We're fast-tracking the UK's position as a global tech leader by bridging STEM talent gaps and establishing ourselves as the key informal connector between breakthrough innovation and industry demand.
We're a lean, high-impact team and we're looking for our SDR intern to help us scale outreach to various stakeholders who should be part of our ecosystem.
The Role
As SDR Intern at Innovators Guild, you'll own outbound prospecting and qualification for our most valuable audience:
technical founders, deep-tech engineers, enterprise innovation teams, and STEM researchers
who are solving complex, real-world problems. You'll research prospects, craft thoughtful outreach, qualify genuine opportunities, and set meetings that our core team can close into partnerships, sponsorships, or community participation.
This is a
highly visible role
. In a lean team, everything you do directly impacts our growth. You're not buried in a large sales department - you're working directly with leadership, learning our business inside-out, and your contribution is immediately visible.
Your Day-to-Day Responsibilities
Strategic prospecting
: Build targeted lists of high-potential engineers, founders, and innovation leaders using LinkedIn, company research, and industry intelligence. Understand the distinction between hype and genuine deep-tech.
Thoughtful outreach
: Craft personalised, technically credible emails and LinkedIn messages that resonate with sophisticated technical audiences (not template spam)
Qualification conversations
: Screen prospects to understand their current challenges, innovation focus, and fit with Innovators Guild. Know when to pass and when to escalate.
Relationship building
: Maintain detailed CRM records and nurture prospect relationships over time. Not every conversation closes in week one.
Pipeline contribution
: Feed meetings into our sales pipeline that our team can close into memberships, event attendance, sponsorships, or collaboration opportunities
Market intelligence
: Share insights about trends, pain points, and opportunities you uncover in conversations. Help us refine our positioning and strategy.
What We're Looking For
This role requires someone who can function independently while integrating seamlessly into a small, tight-knit team. We're hiring for
long-term potential
, so we need to assess during your first month whether you're someone who thrives in this environment.
Essential Competencies
Intellectual curiosity about deep-tech
: You understand (at least conceptually) the difference between AI hype and genuine deep-tech innovation. You're genuinely interested in the sectors we cover - fintech, biotech, quantum, advanced materials, etc. You read tech blogs. You follow founders. This isn't a job to you; it's interesting.
Self-directed problem-solving
: When you hit a roadblock, you figure it out before asking. You don't need hand-holding or micromanagement. You own your learning.
Resilience with grace
: Cold outreach gets rejections. You understand this and don't take it personally. You iterate, improve, and move forward without needing constant encouragement.
Communication that punches above its weight
: You write crisp, intelligent emails. You listen more than you talk. You can explain what we do to a technical founder without sounding like a recruiter or generic sales person.
Team-first mentality
: In a three-person team, everyone matters. You're not here to build a personal brand or use us as a stepping stone. You're here to contribute to something meaningful and grow with us. You ask "how can I help?" without being asked.
Cultural fit - seriously
: We're mission-driven, not money-driven. You're attracted to impact and learning, not just compensation. You respect rigour, intellectual honesty, and pushing boundaries.
Ideal Background
Previous experience in sales, business development, recruiting, or customer-facing B2B roles (the context matters less than the transferable skills)
Demonstrated success hitting targets or driving measurable results
Genuine interest or background in technology, startups, or innovation (even if not in sales)
Experience working in small teams or startups where autonomy is expected
(Highly valuable) Background in or genuine understanding of deep-tech, STEM, or scientific problem-solving
The First Month Assessment
Here's how we'll evaluate whether this is a long-term fit:
Week 1-2
: Can you ramp quickly? Do you understand our mission? Are you hitting quality standards on research and outreach without needing redirection?
Week 2-3
: Are you thinking strategically about prospect fit? Are you asking good questions in conversations? Are you becoming genuinely curious about our space or just going through motions?
Week 3-4
: Are you showing initiative? Are you anticipating team needs? Do you ask how to help? Can we trust you to own a project end-to-end? Most importantly: do you wantto stay?
We're not assessing activity; we're assessing potential, fit, and genuine interest in the mission. A candidate who brings five brilliant leads is worth infinitely more than someone who makes 50 calls and learns nothing.
What Happens After Month One
Strong fit
: We move toward a longer-term internship or potentially a part-time/freelance role with flexibility and potential for growth into a full-time position
Good fit but needs development
: We extend your internship with clearer expectations and a development plan
Not a fit
: We part ways professionally with no hard feelings and a genuine reference from us for what you willbe great at
What We're Offering
Real learning
: Work directly with founders and innovation leaders. Understand B2B GTM, how early-stage funding relationships work, and what drives enterprise partnerships. This is an education, not busywork.
Impact
: Your work directly feeds our mission. You're not in a large company where your contribution is invisible. You'll see the results.
Long-term growth opportunity
: Exceptional interns transition into paid roles, with potential for equity participation or other upside as we scale
Flexible arrangements
: remote
No corporate theatre
: We're lean, direct, and results-focused. You're judged on impact, not attendance.
How to Apply
Send your application to us with:
A 2-3 sentence pitch
: Why Innovators Guild specifically? What draws you to deep-tech and innovation? (Generic "I want a sales job" gets rejected.)
Your CV
(1 page, ideally)
A specific example
of when you learned something complex independently and how you approached it. What did you learn about yourself in that process?
A sample cold email draft
: We'll give you a fictional deep-tech founder persona. Write one email you'd send them. This shows us your ability to research, think strategically, and communicate authentically.
(Optional) A voice message or short video
introducing yourself. Tell us what excites you about innovation and why you're the right person for this team.
Selection Process
Initial screening
(20 mins): Communication, curiosity, and genuine interest in the mission
Practical exercise
: Research and prospect identification task (we'll provide targets)
Final conversation
: Meet the team. Ask your questions. Assess mutual fit.
Potential trial week
: Depending on fit, we may invite you to work alongside us for a week before a final decision
Timeline
Rolling applications. Ideal start: mid January 2026