Business Development Intern

About AIQ Markets

AIQ Markets is building the AI copilot for the U.S. corporate bond market. Our platform empowers traders, portfolio managers, and credit analysts with real-time intelligence, natural-language search across bond inventories, and AI-driven trade recommendations. We sit at the intersection of cutting-edge AI and one of the world’s largest asset classes—transforming how fixed-income professionals discover, analyze, and execute trades.

The Role

As a Business Development Intern, you will work directly alongside our CEO and founding team to help build AIQ Markets’ client base and strategic partnerships. This is not a side-project internship—you will contribute to real deals and revenue-generating initiatives from day one. You’ll identify prospects, engage traders and portfolio managers, support the sales cycle, and help expand AIQ Markets’ footprint across the U.S. corporate bond market.

What You’ll Do

• Research and identify prospective clients—including fixed-income traders, portfolio managers, and credit analysts—and build targeted outreach lists
• Draft and send personalized outreach emails and LinkedIn messages to engage prospects and schedule introductory calls
• Support the full sales cycle—from initial outreach through demos, follow-ups, and contract negotiations—working closely with the CEO
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify new verticals, buyer personas, and partnership opportunities
• Maintain and update the CRM pipeline, track outreach activity, and report on key BD metrics including conversion rates and pipeline value
• Own a meaningful BD initiative end-to-end—from prospect identification and outreach through closed conversations and onboarding handoff

What We’re Looking For

• Currently pursuing a B.S. or M.S. in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field (graduating 2026–2028)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills—you can craft a compelling pitch and hold your own in a conversation with financial professionals
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple prospects and follow-ups simultaneously
• Genuine interest in fintech, AI, or financial markets and eagerness to develop deep knowledge of the U.S. corporate bond market
• Comfort with outbound outreach—cold emailing, LinkedIn prospecting, or phone calls—and an ability to handle objections gracefully
• A competitive, results-oriented mindset: you are motivated by goals, take initiative, and thrive in a fast-paced startup environment

Nice to Have

• Experience with CRM tools (Salesforce, HubSpot, or similar) or sales engagement platforms
• Background in fixed income, capital markets, or financial services—either through coursework, internships, or personal interest
• Prior BD, sales, or account management internship experience, especially in B2B software or fintech
• Familiarity with tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Apollo, or ZoomInfo for prospecting and lead generation

What We Offer

• $17/hr compensation, 40 hours/week
• Direct mentorship from the CEO and exposure to every stage of an early-stage B2B sales process
• Front-row seat to building a business at the intersection of AI and one of the world’s largest asset classes
• A collaborative, fast-paced environment where interns make real impact
• Potential path to a full-time return offer based on performance

Location

New York, NY (Hybrid)

11 W 42nd St, 2nd Fl, Office #214

New York, NY 10036

Duration

10 Weeks (June 1 – August 7, 2026)

Team

Business Development

Reports To

Kevin Rutter, CEO

Schedule

Minimum 3 days per week in-office

Compensation

$17/hr, 40 hours/week