Empowering the Next Generation: The Investment Analyst's Apprenticeship

The recent appointment of Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim reignited my reflection on #mentorship and professional growth. As we near the end of 2024, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible impact of internships on young minds. From early career guidance that shaped my professional trajectory to senior leaders who generously shared their wisdom, I've been the beneficiary of transformative mentorship. Each mentor I've encountered has been like a coach on the sidelines of my professional journey—offering insights on not just work but also family, challenging my perspectives, and helping me navigate complex professional landscapes. They were especially invaluable when I was contemplating switching industries from academic to venture equity and eventually to venture debt. Those moments of guidance were more than just advice; they were pivotal turning points that defined my career path. Now, watching our interns grow, learn, and develop reminds me of the power of mentorship – a virtuous cycle of knowledge transfer and professional development.

As a Manchester United fan since 1994 when I was a student in Glasgow, hearing about Amorim's journey under Jose Mourinho's mentorship (photo above credited to NY Times The Athletic article Nov 2024) struck a profound chord. It was more than just a football narrative – it was a compelling allegory of how transformative guidance can help shape young professionals at the beginning of their career. Imagine a young coach, absorbing every tactical nuance, strategic decision, and leadership principle from a legendary mentor. Just as Amorim didn't merely observe Mourinho, but immersed himself in the art of football management, learning lessons that transcend the pitch, we at Genesis Alternative Ventures have crafted a similarly experiential internship experience.

Our internship journey was conceived in April 2020, at the start of the global Covid-19 pandemic – a time of unprecedented challenge and uncertainty. Supported by Enterprise Singapore Global Ready Talent programme, we hired our first intern on 1st June 2020 and she’s certainly one brave individual who navigated the entirely remote work environment.?

What truly distinguishes our programme is our unwavering commitment to depth over brevity. Where many internships offer fleeting exposure, we demand a rigorous six-month engagement. We fundamentally believe that meaningful learning is not a sprint, but a deliberate, immersive journey. True mastery requires time, patience, and consistent practice.

Just as Amorim sat beside Mourinho, studying every tactical decision and management nuance at one of football's most prestigious clubs, our interns are embedded deeply within our investment ecosystem. They're not mere observers, but active participants – learning the art and science of venture investment by living it day by day. They've moved beyond textbook theories, getting hands-on experience that most can only dream of – participating in deal originations, conducting due diligence, and presenting directly to our investment committee. Through our programme, we aim to nurture talent, ignite passion, and create pathways to long-term success. We are proud of our interns' achievements and their contributions to our firm. Seeing them grow and carve out their own opportunities is incredibly rewarding.

Since the inception of our internship programme, we've proudly graduated 22 interns with 2 more joining us in January 2025. Among these interns, we have hired one exceptional individual who has continued to excel within our firm, while others have launched impactful careers across investment banking, corporate banking, and venture capital. They carry with them not just skills, but a comprehensive understanding of the investment ecosystem that can only be gained through genuine mentorship and hands-on experience.

If you are a motivated individual looking to kickstart your career in private credit and venture debt or curious about the world of venture capital, we encourage you to apply for our internship programme. In 2025, we are embarking on a cross-border internship experience where budding interns will get to experience venture debt and banking across Singapore and Jakarta, Indonesia. For those of you who are keen to learn more, please reach out. Let's shape the future together and turn potential into success.

To close, a quote that captures our spirit: "The future of investment isn't just about numbers – it's about nurturing the minds that will transform those numbers into visionary strategies”. At Genesis Alternative Ventures, we don't just offer internships; we forge the future architects of venture investment, one ambitious intern at a time.

Merry Christmas to everyone and looking forward to an excellent 2025!