Interns to work with US angel

Budding entrepreneurs have a chance to learn from the best with an internship on offer from the University of Auckland incubator, The Icehouse.

Up for grabs is the opportunity to work alongside US angel investment guru Bill Payne during his six-month stint as the BNZ University of Auckland Business School entrepreneur-in-residence at The Icehouse.

Payne has been at the forefront of US angel investment since the early 1980s.

Interns will "be on Bill's bag" as he travels around New Zealand mentoring angel investors, connecting start-ups with funding for overseas expansion, advising the Government on how to convert research and development ideas into businesses and teaching university students.

The Icehouse chief executive Andy Hamilton said the aim of the internship was to expose technology-focused students - those studying science, engineering, medicine and computing - to business.

"We've got one of the world's best and knowledgeable angel investors, so let's find a couple of technology undergraduate or post-doctoral students who will learn everything," said Hamilton.

The two paid internship places are open to current or recent University of Auckland students.

The two placements on offer are for 10 to 20 hours a week of work, over 12 weeks each - the first from the beginning of February until mid-April, the second from mid-April until early July.

* Students interested in the internship should contact Robbie Paul, Icehouse project manager on 09 308 6210 or robbie.paul@theicehouse.co.nz.

The deadline for applications for the first position is next Monday at 5pm.

THE APPRENTICE
* Two 12-week internship opportunities to work alongside American entrepreneur Bill Payne.
* Applications open to current or recent University of Auckland students studying science, medicine, engineering or computing.
* Paid for 10 to 20 hours a week.
* First internship starts early February (applications close January 25), second starts mid-April.