Business development internships in Asia and beyond
Lead research, outreach and pitch decks with sales teams.
Overview
What the internship is about
Business development interns join sales teams at startups, software companies, agencies and distributors. You research markets and target accounts, build lead lists in HubSpot or Salesforce, write outreach emails and LinkedIn messages, prepare pitch decks and join sales calls to take notes and follow up. Many hosts are expanding into new Asian markets, and interns help work out who to approach first.
A typical week has a pipeline review, a round of outreach and a few calls or meetings where you see deals move. Thailand and Singapore are our strongest destinations, followed by Japan and Spain.
Why do it
What you'll get out of it
Study market trends and competitors to help shape business decisions. You learn how companies decide where and how to grow.
Practice networking with clients, partners and industry contacts. You learn how strong relationships lead to new business, and how to follow up so people remember you.
Help plan and run projects from first idea to delivery. You learn to set timelines, track tasks and keep everyone in the loop.
Your role
Find and research potential markets and clients, and build lead lists in a spreadsheet or CRM. Your work helps the team plan its growth.
Research industries, competitors and customers, then present clear findings. Your work helps the team make data-driven decisions.
Help write pitch decks, proposals and presentations for potential clients. You see how companies win new business.
Where to go
This is where we have the most host companies in this field, but you can do it in any of our destinations. See all destinations
Where you can do this
Prices
How much it costs
FAQ
Your questions, answered
What will I do on a business development internship?
You'll help a company find new customers and partners. Tasks can include market research, finding leads, preparing pitches and helping with sales and partnerships.
Do I need experience to get a business development internship?
No. Any degree can fit, though many interns study business. Good communication and confidence help most.
What skills and tools will I use?
You may use CRM tools such as HubSpot or Salesforce, LinkedIn, Excel and PowerPoint.
Where can I do a business development internship?
Popular destinations for business development internships include Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Spain, South Korea and Australia. Tell us where you'd like to go and we'll check what's possible.
Can I get university credit for my internship?
Yes, if your university accepts it: we provide the documents it needs (internship agreement, placement confirmation, supervisor evaluation and a host certificate of completion). Your university decides whether to give credit, and how much.
How much does it cost, and is it paid?
Programs start from $2,050 for 6 weeks on Explorer, depending on where you go. Most internships are unpaid.
In depth
- Research markets and find companies that could become customers or partners.
- Build lead lists and keep them up to date in a CRM such as HubSpot or Salesforce.
- Write outreach emails and LinkedIn messages.
- Prepare pitch decks and sales materials.
- Join sales calls and partner meetings, and take notes.
- Track the sales pipeline in Excel and report on it.
- Finding leads and working out which ones are worth the time.
- CRM tools, LinkedIn, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Writing outreach that gets replies.
- Pitching and following up with confidence.
- Doing business across cultures, with partners in several countries.
- A clearer idea of where you fit: sales, partnerships, strategy or market research.
- Thailand: business development is one of our strongest fields, and our team is based in Bangkok.
- Singapore: business development is among our strongest fields.
- Japan: business development is among our strongest fields there, and we have our own office in Japan.
- Spain: business development is among our strongest fields.
- South Korea: business development is among our strongest fields, and we have our own office in Korea.
- Australia: business development is among our popular fields there.
Intern stories
Hear it from our interns
Applications open all year
Your field, somewhere new.
It's free to apply, and you only pay a deposit once you're accepted.