The Intern Group

What The Intern Group does

The Intern Group is a London-headquartered EdTech operator founded in 2011 that places university students and recent graduates into international internships across 9 destinations (London, Dublin, Madrid, New York, Tokyo, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Medellín) and 20+ career fields. The company runs four program formats — In-Person, Virtual/Remote, Blended, and Digital Nomad — each bundling guaranteed internship placement, accommodation assistance, visa support, airport transfers, cultural activities, and optional academic credit (administered via a School of Record partnership with Florida A&M University). The underlying technology is a HubSpot-based application portal (app.theinterngroup.com) augmented by Google Analytics, ZoomInfo, Facebook and TikTok pixels, and partnerships with Talkspace (mental health), Secutive (travel insurance), and Control Risks (crisis management protocol).

The business is monetized through one-time program fees paid by participants (e.g., ¥495,000 for Tokyo, €3,490 for Dublin, AU$5,600 for Melbourne), with a $30 application fee and a $250 two-sided referral discount. Distribution is hybrid: direct-to-consumer via the online application portal and admissions interviews, combined with a structured university partnership channel covering 150+ institutions that supply discounted referrals and academic-credit pipelines. The host side is a network of 3,000+ organizations providing internship placements.

Revenue reached $15M annually per CEO David Lloyd in a Mixergy interview, achieved without institutional venture capital — the company is bootstrapped with only a Start-Up Chile government grant and a 2020 Magma Partners involvement disclosed. The company maintains a wholly-owned Hong Kong subsidiary (Intern Hong Kong Limited) alongside its UK parent, and reports 15,000+ alumni, 40,000 annual applicants, and approximately 2,000 participants per year. Recognition includes consecutive GoOverseas Top Internship Provider for Safety awards (2023, 2025), Entrepreneur's 100 Most Brilliant Companies, and features in Forbes, BBC, WSJ, Bloomberg, CNN, Time, and the Financial Times.

Name

The Intern Group

Legal name

The Intern Group

Website

https://theinterngroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Intern Group is a London-based EdTech operator founded in 2011 that places university students and recent graduates into international internship programs across 9 destinations and 20+ career fields, monetized through program fees and distributed via a 150+ university partnership network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Internship Placement Services

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Employment Placement Agencies (561311)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Provider-Run International Internship Programs (Multi-Country/Multi-Industry) (EDAIAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Experiential Learning & Internships/Co-ops (EDALABAG), Internship Program Provider Housing (3rd-Party Placement Programs) (THAMAGAF)

Keywords

• International internship programs
• Internship placement services
• Career field internships
• Study abroad internships
• Professional development internships

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: Fees charged to participants for internship programs, varying by destination and program type. Includes placement, accommodation, airport transfer, and other services depending on program type. Payment structure: Initial deposit within 2 weeks, 50% within 30 days of deposit, remaining balance within 5 days of internship confirmation, full payment due 14 days before commencement.
2. University Partnerships: Revenue from institutional partnerships with 150+ universities, including referral fees, academic credit administration through School of Record partnership with Florida A&M University, and group discounts for partner institution students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Intern Group places university students and young professionals into international internship roles across 9 global destinations (London, Dublin, Madrid, New York, Tokyo, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Medellín) and 20+ career fields, via four program formats (In-Person, Virtual/Remote, Blended, Digital Nomad). Each program bundles guaranteed internship placement, accommodation, visa assistance, airport transfer, cultural activities, and access to professional development resources, with optional academic credit administration via a School of Record partnership with Florida A&M University.

Product overview

The Intern Group offers a portfolio of international internship programs designed to place students and recent graduates in professional work experiences across 9 global destinations and 20+ career fields. The core offerings consist of four program formats: In-Person (traditional on-site internships at host organizations), Virtual/Remote (online internships from home), Blended (hybrid model combining remote and in-person), and Digital Nomad (flexible remote work while traveling). All programs include guaranteed internship placement, accommodation assistance, visa support, airport transfers, and cultural activities. The company provides supplementary services including academic credit pathways (via home institutions or Florida A&M University School of Record), scholarship and financial aid programs, travel insurance partnerships (via Secutive), mental health support (via Talkspace), and lifetime alumni network membership with career coaching. The technology platform includes an online application portal built on HubSpot infrastructure. The business model relies heavily on university partnerships (150+ institutions) to recruit participants and corporate host organizations for internship placements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• In-Person Internship Programs On-site international internship placements at host organizations in one of nine global destinations (London, Dublin, Madrid, New York, Tokyo, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Medellín). Includes guaranteed internship placement, accommodation, airport transfer, visa support, cultural activities, and 24/7 emergency support. Targeted at students and young professionals seeking immersive international work experience.
• Virtual/Remote Internship Programs Online internships conducted remotely via internet, allowing participants to intern with international companies from their home location. Includes 24/7 virtual emergency support, professional development resources, and guaranteed placement.
• Blended Internship Programs Hybrid internship model combining remote work with in-person components, offering flexibility for participants who want partial international experience. Includes the same support services as in-person and remote formats.
• Digital Nomad Programs Flexible internship program designed for participants who wish to work remotely while traveling to different locations during their internship period, combining remote work with destination experiences.
• Career Field Internship Placements Internship placements across 20+ career fields including Architecture, Business, Consulting, Engineering, Finance & Accounting, Government & Politics, Hospitality, IT & Computer Science, Journalism, Law, Marketing, NGOs, and more. Participants can select their preferred career field as part of the 1-on-1 placement process.
• Academic Credit Programs Academic credit pathway allowing students to earn credit for internships through their home institution or The Intern Group's School of Record (Florida A&M University). Credit ranges from minimum 3 to maximum 12 credits based on program length.
• University Partnership Program Partnership network with 150+ universities worldwide offering exclusive discounts, academic credit coordination, and institutional reporting for students from partner institutions.
• Scholarship & Financial Aid Program Need-based financial aid and scholarship opportunities including support for Turing, Erasmus, New Colombo Plan, and Prime Minister's Scholarship programs, plus The Intern Group's own scholarship opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% of alumni rate the program 9+/10
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• University of PennsylvaniacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner university offering exclusive discounts and academic credit pathways for students participating in international internship programs. Students receive financial benefits and can earn academic credit.
• Cornell UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAcademic collaboration partner providing students access to international internship programs with potential for academic credit.
• London School of EconomicscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner university with student discount program for international internship placements.
• University of TorontocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner university offering exclusive discounts and pathways to international internship programs.
• Florida A&M UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool of Record partnership for academic credit administration. Students can earn academic credit through Florida A&M University's accreditation for internship programs.
• Control RiskscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal risk consultancy that co-developed The Intern Group's crisis management protocol called First Response. Framework ensures teams know how to act quickly, calmly, and effectively in emergency situations.
• TalkspacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health support partnership providing all interns with three months of fully anonymous access to licensed therapists via text. Service included at no extra cost and accessible worldwide.
• SecutivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecommended travel insurance provider for international internship programs. Insurance plan specifically designed for The Intern Group's programs with comprehensive coverage.
• Host Organizations (3,000+ companies)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of 3,000+ companies across 9+ destinations providing internship placements for program participants. Includes diverse industries and companies from startups to established organizations.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): One of the largest U.S.-based nonprofit providers of international internships, study abroad, and work-exchange programs. Closest direct competitor to The Intern Group in multi-country, multi-career-field internship placement for university students.
• IES Abroad: Chicago-based nonprofit running internship and study abroad programs across multiple global cities. Directly comparable to The Intern Group in destination breadth, university partnerships, and academic credit integration.
• AIESEC: Global youth-run nonprofit placing students and recent graduates in international internships and volunteer experiences across 100+ countries. Directly comparable offering with a broader geographic footprint and a much lower price point.
• Intern Abroad HQ: Provider of international internship placements across many destinations and career fields, with both in-person and remote programs. Closely mirrors The Intern Group's core product, GTM, and target customer.
• Global Experiences: U.S.-based provider of international internship programs in Europe and Asia, partnering with universities to offer credit-bearing placements. Comparable scale, product mix, and university partnership channel.
• CRCC Asia: Specialist provider of international internships with a focus on China and Asia-Pacific destinations. Comparable in placement model, university partnerships, and career-field breadth, though narrower geographically.
• Absolute Internship: Provider of international internships across Europe, Asia, and Latin America targeting university students and recent graduates. Comparable on destinations, career fields, and bundled housing/support model.
• CEA Study Abroad: Study abroad and international internship provider with multiple global destinations and university partnerships. Directly comparable in academic credit integration, bundled services, and student demographic.

Emerging players

• Parker Dewey: U.S.-based micro-internship platform connecting students and recent graduates with short-term paid project work. Comparable in target customer and career-development value proposition, with partial overlap to The Intern Group's virtual internship program.
• Forage: Virtual experience and internship platform partnering with employers to offer free, self-paced career simulations for students. Adjacent rather than directly competing, but increasingly substitutes for paid virtual internships in the same buyer segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/theinterngroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheInternGroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-intern-group
• Instagraminstagram.com/theinterngroup
• TikToktiktok.com/@theinterngroupint
• Pinterestuk.pinterest.com/theinterngroup
• Xx.com/theinterngroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Intern Group