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Strategic Partnerships Intern

SupplyBistro
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# Strategic Partnerships Inters

 

## About SupplyBistro

SupplyBistro is building the data engine behind the food economy.

Small and mid-sized food operators represent **40–60% of total food sales**, yet their operations remain fragmented and under-digitized. Our SaaS platform transforms operational workflows into **real-time, doubly validated data**, helping operators increase sales, reduce operating costs, and create visibility for distributors, brands, and CPG companies.

Beyond serving individual businesses, SupplyBistro enables organizations to create **private marketplaces and collaborative ecosystems** that strengthen relationships among their members. Our platform helps institutions facilitate commerce, collaboration, procurement, and knowledge sharing within their communities.

 

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# The Role

We are looking for a Business Development Intern to help expand SupplyBistro through strategic partnerships with organizations that bring businesses together.

This role focuses on identifying and engaging institutions that want to create value for their members by promoting transactions, collaboration, networking, procurement, and business growth.

Target organizations include:

* Universities
* Chambers of Commerce
* Venture Capital Funds
* Startup Accelerators
* Business Incubators
* Trade Associations
* Industry Associations
* Economic Development Organizations
* Professional Associations
* Government Programs
* Nonprofit Organizations
* Corporate Innovation Programs

This internship combines **business development, strategic partnerships, customer discovery, market research, and sales strategy**.

You will work directly with company leadership to help establish long-term partnerships that expand the reach of the SupplyBistro platform.

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# Main Responsibilities

## Strategic Partnership Development

Identify organizations that could benefit from a branded marketplace or collaboration platform.

Research:

* Database Generation
* Ensuring that the partnerships are a success
* Primary and secondary research
* Organizational mission
* Membership size
* Industries served
* Existing member services
* Technology initiatives
* Partnership opportunities

Develop outreach strategies tailored to each organization.

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## Business Development

Support the complete partnership development process by:

* Building prospect lists
* Identifying decision-makers
* Preparing documentation
* Preparing outreach campaigns
* Scheduling meetings
* Participating in introductory calls
* Following up with prospective partners
* Maintaining CRM records and pipeline updates

Develop professional relationships with executives and organizational leaders.

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## Customer Discovery

Conduct discovery conversations to understand:

* Member needs
* Existing challenges
* Current technology solutions
* Networking and marketplace initiatives
* Procurement processes
* Economic development goals

Help determine where SupplyBistro creates measurable value for both the organization and its members.

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## Go-to-Market Strategy

Work with leadership to refine SupplyBistro's institutional partnership strategy by helping define:

* Ideal partner profiles
* Value propositions
* Market segmentation
* Partnership models
* Pricing approaches
* Adoption strategies

Support the development of repeatable business development playbooks.

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## Market Research

Research trends affecting:

* Higher education
* Economic development
* Entrepreneurship
* Business associations
* Digital marketplaces
* Procurement technology
* B2B networking platforms

Identify emerging partnership opportunities and competitive solutions.

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## Proposal & Presentation Development

Support the preparation of:

* Partnership proposals
* Presentation materials
* Business cases
* Demonstrations
* Partnership agreements
* Follow-up documentation

Help communicate the value of the SupplyBistro platform to diverse audiences.

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## Cross-Functional Collaboration

Collaborate with:

* Customer Discovery
* Product Strategy
* Marketing
* Customer Success
* Leadership

Provide market insights that influence product development, partnership strategy, and customer acquisition.

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# What We're Looking For

* Experience in sales and partnerships
* The capacity to make these programs stick and grow
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills
* Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities
* Interest in business development and strategic partnerships
* Curiosity about how organizations create value for their members
* Strong organizational and research skills
* Self-motivated with a proactive approach to problem-solving
* Comfortable speaking with executives and organizational leaders

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# Preferred Qualifications

Students pursuing degrees in:

* Business Administration
* Entrepreneurship
* Marketing
* Economics
* Communications
* Public Administration
* International Business
* Political Science
* Hospitality Management
* Management

Experience with business development, partnerships, consulting, sales, entrepreneurship, or nonprofit organizations is a plus but not required.

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# Important Attributes

### Relationship Builder

You enjoy connecting with people and developing long-term professional relationships built on trust.

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### Strategic Thinker

You understand that successful partnerships are built by creating value for all parties involved.

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### Curiosity

You ask thoughtful questions to understand an organization's mission, challenges, and goals before proposing solutions.

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### Communication

You are comfortable presenting ideas, facilitating conversations, and communicating with senior leaders.

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### Initiative

You actively seek new partnership opportunities and take ownership of moving conversations forward.

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# What You'll Gain

* Hands-on experience developing strategic partnerships for a growing SaaS startup
* Direct interaction with university leaders, chambers of commerce, venture funds, and industry associations
* Experience conducting customer discovery and executive-level business conversations
* Exposure to startup growth strategy, marketplace development, and B2B sales
* Experience developing partnership proposals, business cases, and go-to-market strategies
* Mentorship from founders and executive leadership

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# Compensation

This is an **unpaid internship** designed for students seeking meaningful experience in business development, strategic partnerships, entrepreneurship, and startup growth.

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# Who Should Apply

Students who are passionate about building relationships, developing partnerships, and helping organizations create stronger business ecosystems.

If you're interested in entrepreneurship, strategic partnerships, economic development, and marketplace innovation, this internship offers the opportunity to help shape how universities, chambers of commerce, venture funds, trade associations, and other institutions connect their members, foster collaboration, and drive economic activity through technology.

At SupplyBistro, business development is about more than acquiring customers—it's about building ecosystems where organizations and their members can grow together.