Summer Internship with Dangerous Ventures
Eliza Harrison, Daytime MBA 2026
As part of a wonderfully rich and learning-filled summer, I continued working with Dangerous Ventures: an early-stage, climate-focused venture firm.
My time was split between research, deal work, and internal operations. While I came into the role with an early draft of a biomass industry map I’d started during Fuqua mentored study, I continued to build on and refine that landscape analysis in support of Dangerous’ work. Concurrently, I was able to participate more directly in deal flow: reviewing decks, joining diligence calls, and helping to draft memos. Finally, I spent time evaluating systems to streamline deal tracking and manage pipeline data more efficiently. Beginning to understand the opportunities and challenges of various AI tools helped support Dangerous’ deal flow operations while allowing me to refine skills related to process optimization through technology adoption.
One of the clearest lessons from the summer was that climate investing requires technical fluency, patience, and a real sense of timing. The best founders I met were obsessed with the details of their science and supply chains but also deeply aware of the hurdles to commercialization. Another lesson was how much of venture depends on relationships. Finally, I came to better appreciate how effectively deploying capital can accelerate climate impact.
While venture remains a highly competitive field, my work with Dangerous affirmed my enthusiasm and commitment to the space. I’m drawn to the mix of complexity and urgency that venture and impact investing demand—as well as the chance to support founders tackling hard and meaningful problems. I’m also walking away with a clearer idea of the skills I want to build over the next academic year: technical fluency in low-carbon building materials, stronger sourcing instincts, a better understanding of valuation strategies, and a sharper eye for what makes a strong team.
This internship was supported by the Summer Internship Fund, which enables first-year Duke MBA students to learn about the rewards and challenges of using business to drive positive impact without making a significant financial sacrifice. The program enables organizations that otherwise could not afford to hire MBA student interns to benefit from students’ expertise. Funds are raised through student fundraising and from donors who believe in the mission of the program. If you would like to contribute, you can donate online using your credit card.