Venture Development Intern (m/f/d)

About Us

Smalt is the AI-first backoffice and growth engine empowering skilled tradespeople to become entrepreneurs, backed by General Catalyst, Owl Ventures, noa and other top global VCs. Since our founding in 2023, we've raised €12M and built strong revenue traction (€4–5M) through our integrated service delivery business. We help craftsmen launch and grow their own businesses by providing a digital backoffice – from company setup and registration to invoicing, documentation, and growth tools. Founded by Harvard and Stanford alumni Khurram Masood (Stanford, ex-McKinsey) and Marius Westhoff (Harvard MBA with high distinction, ex-McKinsey), Smalt combines Tier-1 strategy and execution DNA with deep operational expertise in the trades.

Now, we're scaling our partnership model – and we're looking for a Venture Development Intern (m/f/d) who will help our partner craft businesses (Handwerksbetriebe & Neugründungen) grow their top line. This role is crucial to the success of Smalt's business – only if our partners are successful will Smalt be able to grow its revenue-share model. The role combines commercial strategy, marketing experimentation, and hands-on activation to make our partners successful. You'll work at the intersection of operations, marketing, and technology – driving growth, testing playbooks, and shaping how Smalt empowers trades entrepreneurs to scale.

⭐️ Your Impact

As a Venture Development Intern (m/f/d) at Smalt, you’ll connect the dots between Product, Operations, and Growth. You’ll help design the systems, automations, and playbooks that enable Smalt – and our network of Meister-led craft partners – to scale efficiently.

You’ll gain first-hand exposure to the challenges and opportunities of a high-growth startup, working side by side with our leadership team to drive operational excellence and product innovation.

As Intern Venture Developer, you will:

• Set up integrations and automations (Make, Zapier, n8n, Attio, Smalt tech) to streamline internal processes
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to inform product and strategy decisions
• Develop and document SOPs and playbooks for our internal backoffice teams
• Support partner onboarding workshops and create structured materials for our training library
• Maintain and update key financial and operational models (basic P&L and forecasting inputs)
• Help structure our product management process: collect feature ideas, support PRD creation, and manage prioritization
• Build a scalable template library for partner app questionnaires
• Collaborate closely with the Chief of Staff team on ad-hoc strategic projects across Product, Operations, and Growth

✨ What Makes You a Great Fit

Experience & Skills:

• Currently studying business, engineering, computer science, or a related field – ideally at a top university
• Strong analytical mindset and structured problem-solving skills
• Tech-savvy, curious, and excited to experiment with AI tools (Make, Zapier, n8n, Attio, Aircall, 11x, Telli, etc.)
• Hands-on, proactive, and comfortable figuring things out independently
• Fluent in German and English, with empathy for craftsmen and small business owners
• (Bonus) Previous internship experience in tech, consulting or venture capital

Mindset & Working Style:

• Entrepreneurial: You take ownership and thrive in fast-moving environments
• Systems thinker: You bring order to chaos and document processes clearly
• Curious: You enjoy exploring tools, data, and automation to create scalable solutions
• Collaborative: You communicate openly and enjoy working cross-functionally with diverse teams

☀️ Why You'll Love Working With Us

• Direct exposure to Smalt’s founders and Chiefs of Staff - learn from experienced operators and investors
• Competitive internship compensation
• Deutschlandticket or Urban Sports ClubMembership
• Steep learning curve at the intersection of tech, product, and operations
• Hybrid work setup (Berlin preferred)
• Flat hierarchies, fast feedback, and a supportive, ambitious team
• Real ownership and impactful projects from day one

• Start: ASAP
• Duration: 3–6 months
• Location: Berlin (hybrid)
• Compensation: Competitive internship salar