Five Questions for Joost van der Meijs, Impact Investment Intern
Imagine you’re (almost) finished with your studies and want to gain experience in impact investing or learn more about impact entrepreneurship before entering the job market. Joost van der Meijs, who recently graduated with a master’s in Sustainable Finance and Investments, started his Impact Investment internship at DOEN Ventures a few weeks ago. He’s eager to learn what it’s like to work with impact start-ups on a daily basis, how early-stage impact start-ups operate, and how investments in these companies are made. We asked him five questions about his internship with us.
You recently started as an Impact Investment Intern at DOEN Ventures. Why did you apply for this internship?
During my master’s degree in Sustainable Finance, I took a course on Impact Investing. The combination of simultaneously earning strong financial returns while making a lasting impact really interested me and motivated me to aim for a career in Impact Investing. DOEN Ventures really stood out compared to other impact venture capitalists due to the early phase of our investments and the impact-first approach.
What stood out to you in your first week at work?
What pleasantly surprised me was how I was part of the investment team from day one. This isn’t an internship where you are only given typical intern tasks; instead, I’m challenged to contribute to the entire investment process. The positive work atmosphere, combined with the social warmth, intelligence, and strong sense of entrepreneurship that drives everyone here, really stood out to me. The unique collaboration with DOEN Foundation and the Dutch Postcode Lottery is also very interesting and a valuable learning experience. But most importantly, I immediately noticed that this is truly an impact-first environment, where colleagues work together every day to create a better world.
What skills do you hope to gain from this internship that will be most useful in your future career?
I want to gain a deeper understanding of the impact investing landscape and learn how to better assess which business models have the highest potential for both impact and financial return. For me, it’s valuable to be involved in the entire investment process. From various partners, I get to work on all the key aspects of investing: from deal flow to initial investment screening, and from due diligence to portfolio management.
Which investment is your favorite so far, and why?
So far, I’ve mainly been involved with potential new investments, but a current partner that has especially caught my interest is Food for Skin. B2C start-ups are often overlooked in the Impact Investing landscape, while they have a huge impact and financial potential. This brand inspires me because they found an innovative and sustainable way to develop skincare products, and in that way is a real game changer with a tangible impact.
What would you say to someone who’s unsure about applying for the Impact Investment Internship?
Just go for it! And be quick, because I expect this internship will attract a lot of interest. What makes this internship special is that it’s not just about learning, although your learning curve will be steep. It’s about being part of a great team that values your ideas, encourages your growth, and makes work genuinely interesting and fun. You’ll get real responsibilities, be involved in all phases of the investment process, and get the opportunity to make impact from day one. I have quite a long commute to the office myself, but the office more than makes up for it: it’s a lively building, the lunch is amazing and there’s even a massage chair. For anyone studying at the intersection of sustainability and finance with an interest of working on the investment side, this is a fantastic career step.
Would you like to work in an environment like Joost, where you can truly make an impact and be part of a hand-on, professional and fun team that’s committed to a better world? Are you eager to learn, ready to take on real responsibilities, and passionate about sustainability and impact investing? Then this internship is for you. Apply now for the Impact Investment internship at DOEN Ventures and start your own impact journey!
Check out the vacancy and apply here!