Illumen Capital is a fund of funds addressing systemic inequities by reducing racial and gender bias in investing. We invest in high-performing venture, growth and private equity funds, and work with those managers to implement research-informed strategies and tools designed to reduce racial and gender bias. This work helps fund managers better identify, evaluate, and invest in overlooked and underestimated entrepreneurs, with the aim to drive outperformance and unlock returns. We believe an inclusive and optimal asset management industry will be a cornerstone of an equal and equitable future.
A Black-owned firm, Illumen Capital invests into the top impact funds across venture capital, growth equity, and private equity, with a focus on health & wellness, education, climate & sustainability, and financial inclusion. In 2019, we published peer-reviewed research in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that validated our thesis: race influences the decision making of professional investors. Illumen Capital partners with Stanford SPARQ to design and apply research to bias reduction tools, and partners with Impact Experience to deliver experiential learning opportunities for fund managers and investors to help connect the dots between slavery, historical racism, and present-day implicit bias found in the asset management industry.
Role Overview
Interns will play a pivotal role in supporting their respective teams at Illumen. This is a unique opportunity for undergraduate or graduate students with an interest in investing, bias reduction, investor relations, operations, and diversity, equity, and inclusion in financial markets.
The internship will provide an opportunity to own the full scope of distinct projects, as well as provide meaningful support on existing projects. The remote internship will consist of 10 hours of work per week, for 10 weeks (September-November). Interns will be compensated with a stipend of $2,500 for the entirety of the Internship.
Responsibilities
Each intern will be responsible for independently executing 1-2 long-term projects. Interns will be required to virtually attend weekly “Lunch and Learns”, weekly check-ins with their Program Manager, and regular check-ins with their dedicated department throughout the internship.
Projects may include but are not limited to:
Investment Intern
- Complete a custom research project relating to Illumen’s thesis, with the opportunity to publish externally
- Prepare weekly Market Update memos summarizing key news and market research from the prior week
Bias Reduction Intern
- Support the creation and maintenance of Illumen’s bias reduction curriculum, with potential autonomy to lead on the creation of certain lessons or components. Create tools that allow investors to more easily execute and build strategies and processes to reduce bias
- Prepare weekly Market Update memos summarizing key news and market research from the prior week
Operations & Investor Relations Intern
- Build redundancy by interviewing each Illumen business unit and documenting core processes across the firm. Provide recommendations for each workflow on how to increase efficiency and consistency across the business unit and the wider organization
- With strict adherence to the SEC Marketing Rule for Registered Investment Advisers, support in the creation of and execution of a firm-wide communications strategy (i.e. blog posts, social media, and other field-building communications tools)
- Prepare weekly Market Update memos summarizing key news and market research from the prior week
Desired Traits and Skills
- A demonstrated passion for building a more equitable, inclusive world, starting with the fundamental belief that working with investors to reduce bias can lead to deeper impact and better returns
- An eagerness to learn and willingness to tackle new projects
- Excellent time management and communication skills (verbal and written)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; especially, comfort around compiling data in Microsoft Excel and presenting complex ideas in digestible ways
- A demonstrated interest (through lived experience or prior work) in reducing biases, and increasing racial and/or gender equity
- The ability to work independently and in a fast-paced environment across various teams
To Apply
To be considered for this position please follow the below directions:
We look forward to reviewing your application!
We are an equal opportunity employer.
Illumen Capital is committed to equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Illumen Capital are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and/or related medical conditions), marital status, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information/ predisposition or carrier status, veteran status, citizenship or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. Illumen Capital will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.
