Private Equity Internship (Unpaid) - Summer 2025

Who we are

Palmetto & Pine is an entrepreneur-led private equity firm with a simple but ambitious mission: acquire and grow one great small business in a way that honors its legacy and its people. We believe business can be a force for good—when done thoughtfully, with a long-term mindset and real respect for the people behind the work. Backed by a close-knit group of experienced investors and operators, we take a hands-on approach to investing in the kinds of companies that keep our communities running. Our founder brings over a decade of experience across strategy, operations, venture capital, private equity, and M&A—and our extended network includes everyone from consultants and investors to seasoned business owners. We’re small, scrappy, and serious about doing work that matters.

What you’ll do

We’re looking for sharp, motivated undergraduates to join us as Private Equity Interns this summer, working directly with our founder to identify and acquire a small business. You’ll get a rare, front-row seat—learning by doing, asking great questions, and diving deep into real companies. This internship offers hands-on exposure for anyone curious about private equity (especially search funds), investment banking, consulting, sales, or entrepreneurship. By the end of the program, you’ll have built skillsets that are not only impressive on paper, but valuable across a handful of career paths—whether you're pitching an investment, leading a client engagement, or building your own venture.

Here’s a taste of what you’ll learn:

• Strategy and consulting – industry and company analysis, project management
• Finance and investing – building investment theses, financial modeling, due diligence
• Entrepreneurship and sales – prospecting, outbound campaigns, relationship-building

Your typical day could include:

• Researching industries and identifying investment ideas.
• Managing outreach campaigns and building a pipeline of potential acquisition targets.
• Reviewing business models, financial statements, and information from Confidential Information Memoranda (CIMs). Supporting live deals as needed.

Our internship program includes training sessions and events to make sure you're learning, connecting, and getting the most out of your time with us. This is an unpaid, remote internship requiring a commitment of 10 to 20 hours per week and will run from late May through August. However, exact timing is flexible to accommodate academic calendars and other obligations.   

Sound like you below? Apply through Handshake and send your resume and 3-4 sentences on 1) why you're interested and 2) how your experience could make an impact on Palmetto & Pine to alex@palmettoandpine.co .

• Currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Business, Finance, or related field (all years welcome – freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior).
• Creative problem-solver with a get-(stuff)-done attitude. You’re scrappy, proactive, and not afraid to try something new.
• Sharp thinker who sweats the small stuff. You ask smart questions, catch the little things, and think a few steps ahead.
• Comfortable navigating financials and Excel. You don’t need to be a modeling wizard, but you know your way around a spreadsheet and can make sense of a P&L.
• Bonus points if you've interned for a search fund, private equity fund, or investment bank.