During my internship at Tamer Fund for Social Ventures portfolio member Plentify, a South African startup specializing in clean energy technology, I contributed to their mission of helping households optimize energy consumption, achieve relevant savings, and protect against power outages, particularly in the South African context. When I started my internship, Plentify was preparing to launch a new product compatible with solar photovoltaic systems, presenting a major growth opportunity in markets with high solar adoption. In particular, I was responsible for assessing the attractiveness of the Australian market, where approximately 38 percent of households have solar photovoltaic systems, positioning it as a prime candidate for international expansion. Additionally, considering that an international expansion requires sufficient funding, I was responsible for leading weekly meetings with investors to present relevant findings and secure their early buy-in. The final piece of my work was to understand the key criteria that make a technology startup appealing to potential partners, which allowed the management team to refine their company KPIs, ensuring Plentify was positioned strategically for future deals and partnerships.

The MBA program equipped me with relevant skills that I was able to apply directly during my internship at Plentify. For instance, the Strategy Formulation class provided me with methodologies for conducting competitive analysis and forecasting markets, which were crucial for assessing market opportunities. The Accounting course enhanced my ability to analyze financial reports, allowing me to comfortably review the 10-K filings of potential partners. Additionally, the Business and Climate Change elective proved invaluable in helping me understand key industry concepts, which I applied regularly in my role. Beyond technical skills, I was able to leverage the soft skills I've been developing throughout the MBA. These skills, particularly around executive presence and effective communication, played a key role in my interactions with investors and in delivering a presentation to the company. I was able to communicate my findings clearly and confidently, helping secure early buy-in and align key stakeholders.

One of the first challenges I faced was fully understanding the product. While the concept behind it is simple, the underlying technology is complex. This was crucial for identifying competitors capable of offering the same level of sophistication, which required analyzing technical details of their products. I overcame this challenge by collaborating closely with Plentify's technicians, who provided valuable insights into how the technology works and confirmed my hypothesis. Another challenge was navigating the dynamics of an unfamiliar market. The Australian solar market has unique players, including government bodies, regulators, and providers, each with specific roles and standards. I had to research and understand these nuances to assess the market properly. A final challenge was coordinating stakeholders across multiple time zones, such as investors in California and partners in Australia, while I was based in Cape Town. Managing these differences effectively was essential to maintaining smooth communication and meeting deadlines.

I aimed to secure a meaningful internship in green energy technology with a social impact, as this is an industry I want to explore in the future. Gaining hands-on experience in this field was essential to help me stand out when re-entering the job market after my MBA. My internship at Plentify provided invaluable experience working within a startup environment, allowing me to gain insights into the clean energy sector's market dynamics. I became more comfortable with solar technologies, a critical area of focus for the future as the world transitions to more sustainable energy sources to tackle climate change. Beyond the professional experience, living and exploring South Africa was an incredible personal journey. The country’s vibrant culture and warm, welcoming people made the experience even more enriching. I am eager to return to reconnect with my “Plentify family,” who made my time there unforgettable and always gave me the best recommendations.