TNB Aura Mentors Southeast Asia’s Next Wave of Talents through Internships and MBA Consultation Projects
Ecosystem

TNB Aura Mentors Southeast Asia’s Next Wave of Talents through Internships and MBA Consultation Projects

At the forefront of this exciting transformation are venture capital (VC) firms which invest in promising companies and play a crucial role in developing the next generation of business leaders.

Engaging actively with the student ecosystem, TNB Aura collaborates with universities through dynamic internship programmes, management consulting projects, guest lecturing, and flagship initiatives like Startup Wars. These efforts aim to bridge academia and industry, equipping the next generation with hands-on experience and insights into the world of venture capital and innovation.

The TNB Aura internship program is designed to cultivate the next generation of finance leaders by equipping students with the right approach to investing in Southeast Asia’s dynamic startup ecosystem. Open to undergraduate and MBA students, the programme offers a hands-on experience at the forefront of the venture capital industry.

Interns gain an immersive experience by working closely with the team, participating in daily calls and collaborating directly with partners on deal flow analysis, investment research, and market strategy. They also attend a series of “VC 101” classes, which provide foundational knowledge on topics like market sizing, financial modelling, and due diligence, thereby building on technical skills and decision-making processes of a venture capitalist (how to evaluate market potential, assess risks, and identify opportunities in startups that can shape the future of the region).

Beyond the Classroom: The TNB Aura & NUS MBA Partnership

TNB Aura’s partnership with the National University of Singapore (NUS) MBA programme bridges the gap between academic theory and real-world business challenges. Through this collaboration, students tackle live consulting projects that contribute directly to TNB Aura’s research and strategic initiatives, offering them valuable exposure to the venture capital industry while delivering actionable insights.

In the past, students have worked on projects like developing a unicorn methodology, which analysed the pathways Southeast Asian startups take to achieve unicorn status, and a comprehensive study of the region’s IPO and M&A landscape. This research provided key insights into sectors, trends, and opportunities for exits, helping to inform strategic decisions for both startups and investors.

Currently, TNB Aura is overseeing two major projects in collaboration with NUS. The HR Project, in partnership with the NUS PE Club, runs from December 2024 to January 2025. This initiative maps the career trajectories of partners in 20 Chinese and 10 Indian VC funds, exploring their academic backgrounds, prior roles, and post-partnership ventures to analyse the evolution from VC 1.0 to VC 2.0. The final report aims to provide insights into the top universities, industries, and roles that shape successful VC professionals.

The second project, the Deep Tech Research Project, runs from January to April 2025 with the NUS MBA Consulting Team. This effort focuses on ESG and EDBI vertical matching using TNB Aura’s top-down methodology, culminating in a sprint-style research document and potential deal-sourcing opportunities.

Expanding its reach, TNB Aura has also begun collaborating with Singapore Management University (SMU) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU). These partnerships incorporate TNB Aura’s value creation process into student projects, further strengthening the firm’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of venture capital and entrepreneurial leaders.

 

Startup Wars: A Unique Platform for Cultivating Southeast Asia’s Next Leaders

We run Startup Wars, a distinctive competition designed for university students across Southeast Asia. Unlike traditional startup competitions focused on creating businesses to attract funding, Startup Wars immerses participants in the realities of the venture capital and entrepreneurial world through two dynamic rounds:

  • Founder’s Perspective: Students step into the shoes of founders from our portfolio companies, tackling real-world business challenges and crafting actionable solutions.
  • VC Investment Committee: Acting as members of a venture capital investment committee, participants pitch a potential startup for investment, demonstrating their strategic and analytical capabilities.

We extend our thanks to our university partners, NUS and SMU in Singapore, BINUS in Indonesia, and Ateneo De Manila University in the Philippines, as well as our startup and corporate collaborators. Your support plays a crucial role in enabling us to create opportunities for the next generation of entrepreneurs and investors, helping them develop the skills and experience needed to thrive in the venture capital and startup ecosystem.

At TNB Aura, we focus on creating meaningful case studies that connect academic theory with real-world applications. Through these opportunities, we aim to nurture the next generation of leaders, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience necessary to drive innovation and leadership in Southeast Asia’s dynamic startup ecosystem.

Building the Future: A Shared Vision for Southeast Asia

TNB Aura understands that the future of Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem depends on strong leadership. Through the TNB Aura internship programme and NUS MBA partnership, we provide hands-on experience, industry insights, and networking to equip the next generation of venture capitalists.

These initiatives not only benefit TNB Aura but contribute to a thriving VC ecosystem across the region, driving innovation and growth. Joe Zhang, a Partner at TNB Aura, exemplifies the impact of these programmes, having progressed from an NUS MBA graduate and associate to a key partner within the firm.

Read more about his journey here.

Join the Journey

If you’re an undergraduate or MBA student passionate about venture capital and Southeast Asia’s startup scene, the TNB Aura internship programme is your opportunity to gain hands-on experience, develop key business skills, and build valuable connections in the VC ecosystem. Whether you’re just starting or aiming to specialise, TNB Aura offers a unique platform to launch your career.

The TNB Aura internship programme offers diverse opportunities across four areas:

  • Investment Intern: Gain exposure to deal flow analysis and investment research alongside experienced venture capitalists. Learn the ropes of identifying promising startups and making impactful investment decisions.
  • Corporate Development Intern: Join the team spearheading fundraising and investor engagement while building investor pipelines from outreach to due diligence to deal closure. Gain valuable experience in running roadshows, reporting, and strategy of the fund. 
  • Marketing Intern: Contribute to building TNB Aura’s brand, crafting marketing initiatives, and supporting potential portfolio companies. Develop your skills in communication, strategy, and brand development.
  • Finance Intern: Gain valuable experience in financial modelling, portfolio analysis, and supporting the firm’s fund operations and administration. Develop a strong foundation in financial analysis and contribute to the smooth running of the organisation.

Internship cycles run every three months, offering flexibility for students to join according to their academic schedule. Our programme accommodates varying availability, ensuring motivated students can participate when it works best for them.

To learn more about the TNB Aura internship programme and explore the possibilities, visit our LinkedIn.Take the first step towards your future in venture capital and join TNB Aura in shaping the future of Southeast Asian business; send your resumes to hireme@tnbaura.com.