Meet the Seed Interns

“I hope to learn more about a new place, health needs in Africa, and understand how a specialty clinic works.”

Aishwarya Venkatramani

PhD, Bioengineering, ’24

Company & Location

Renal Dialysis Center, Nigeria

Internship Focus

Aishwarya is researching and developing a strategic way to ensure quality dialysis at an affordable price.

“I want to make an impact, develop my business acumen, and learn how to navigate a healthcare system, all while utilizing my PhD skills.”

Alan Itakura

PhD, Biology, ’19

Company & Location

Inqaba Biotec, Nigeria

Internship Focus

Alan is helping Inqaba Biotec start a new subsidiary in Nigeria. This subsidiary will perform molecular diagnostics for clinicians.

“I know how difficult it can be to bring innovation to developing economies and how important it is for companies to cause a good impact in these places.”

Alexandre Simoes Gomes Junior

MS, Management Science & Engineering, ’20

Company & Location

Dudutech, Kenya

Internship Focus

Alexandre is working with a company that develops solutions for crop pest management. He is using a company database to get insights about the company’s products and how they should be modified.

“I’ve long been passionate about the intersection of design and healthcare. I am eager to take a leap forward in this field.”

Amanda Tu

BS, Product Design & Creative Writing, ’20

Company & Location

KM Best Medical Works, India

Internship Focus

Amanda is leading design research at KM Best Medical Works, a durable medical equipment company. She will make recommendations for a strategic product line expansion.

“I wanted to gather a better understanding of the corporate workspace at home in India. [..] I wanted a more technical internship and Seed offered just that in the right environment for me.”

Amita Gondi

BS, Computer Science, ’22

Company & Location

Tenovia, India

Internship Focus

Amita is creating a centralized business intelligence tool that will pool industry insights and competitor data to aid the analytics wing of the company.

“Working outside of my comfort zone, being constantly surrounded by a new cultural environment and expanding my personal network will immensely help me expand my horizons.”

Andre Zumtaugwald

MBA, ’20

Company & Location

CrossBoundary, South Africa

Internship Focus

Andre is interning at CrossBoundary, a firm that supports investors conduct due diligence on companies in Southern Africa.

“I am excited to share stories from the various Seed internship sites with people who do not have the chance to experience these places themselves. I hope to encourage more understanding and collaboration, and amplify the reach and impact of Seed.”

Andrea Chung

MFA, Documentary Film and Video, ’20

Company & Location

Stanford Seed - India, Ethiopia, Kenya, Botswana, South Africa

Internship Focus

Andrea is working with the Seed communications team, documenting the Seed internship experience on the ground through social media, photography, and short videos. She is also making a series of 360-degree videos to give the audience a sense of life in the locations where Seed interns are living and working.

“I chose Seed because it is truly a once in a lifetime experience, in the sense that I get to work directly with entrepreneurial leaders in a foreign country with the support of Stanford administration.”

Andrew Ng

MA, Policy, Organization, and Leadership Studies, ’20

Company & Location

Danco Capital, Kenya

Internship Focus

Danco Capital is a water and irrigation solutions company. Andrew is helping them commercialize their products in the retail space and expand offerings to neighboring countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and others.

“I chose to do a Seed summer internship because I see it as an excellent opportunity to use my new skills gained at the Graduate School of Education while serving the larger global community. I am excited to experience West Africa!”

Anne Huntington

MA, International Comparative Education, ’19

Company & Location

Learn@ease, Nigeria

Internship Focus

Anne is working as a college counselor, helping students navigate the application process to American universities. She will also help Learn@ease directors with curriculum development.

“Seed interns have far more responsibility than one could get staying close to Stanford, while still being part of high-quality organizations.”

Arjun Ramani

BS, Mathematical and Computational Science & Economics, ’20

Company & Location

DreamOval, Ghana

Internship Focus

Arjun is developing a mobile money product at DreamOval, a fintech company

“The Seed internship will allow me to explore my aspirations of going back home or to the continent after graduation while also learning from a great startup/company in an emerging market.”

Asrat Getnet Alemu

BS, Human Biology, ’19 and Management Science and Engineering, ’21

Company & Location

Alpha Direct, Botswana

Internship Focus

Asrat is helping Alpha Direct, an insurance company, scale and expand into South Africa.

“I chose Seed mainly because of my interest in economic development and my passion for East Africa. This experience will give me insight into what a successful business in the region entails.”

Ayman Babikir

BS, Management Science & Engineering, ’22

Company & Location

Software Technologies, Kenya

Internship Focus

Ayman is interning at a company that develops software solutions and products on a cloud platform. He will be working with the Operations Director.

“Growing up in Honduras made me really aware of the needs of underdeveloped countries. It also taught me how small changes can make a huge difference. I decided to do a Seed internship because through my small contribution I will hopefully be able to make a difference.”

Barbara Cardona

BS, Management Science and Engineering, ’20

Company & Location

WARC Group, Sierra Leone

Internship Focus

Barbara is collecting data on WARC Group’s impact. The company brings technology to indigenous farming communities. Barbara will show this data to impact investors.

“I hope to gain a better sense of my place in the world as a global citizen, and experience solving problems and living outside of my comfort zone in the United States.”

Daniel Henry

BS, Symbolic Systems, ’20

Company & Location

Tenovia Solutions, India

Internship Focus

Daniel is interning at Tenovia Solutions, an e-commerce company. He is helping the company’s clients identify supply chain improvements so that Tenovia can better fulfill orders.

“Doing a summer internship with Seed will give me the possibility to implement technology to impact an organization.”

David Ihim

BS, Prospective Computer Science, ’22

Company & Location

SBlack Park, Ghana

Internship Focus

After studying the company’s current workflow, David will produce a self-service solution for clients that will eliminate human error and its associated cost.

“Seed’s overarching goal of eliminating poverty through private sector development aligns directly with my passions and future life goals.”

David Rosenzweig

BA, International Relations & Economics, ’20

Company & Location

Stanford Seed - India, Ethiopia, Kenya, Botswana, South Africa

Internship Focus

David is traveling across Africa and India to gather exciting photography and video content of Seed interns and companies. His work will highlight the growing Seed network and the exciting work that Seed interns are conducting.

“As the son of African immigrants, my African heritage is a large part of my identity. Despite this, I’ve never had the opportunity to visit the continent. Seed allows me to obtain an experience that I’ve longed for my whole life while simultaneously gaining professional experience.”

Dawit Gebre

BS, Symbolic Systems, ’19 & MA, Communication, ’20

Company & Location

Sauti Sol Entertainment, Kenya

Internship Focus

Dawit is helping Sauti Sol Entertainment with the strategy and implementation of an entertainment/music academy. The academy will offer various courses to cultivate talent within the Kenyan entertainment industry.

“I hope to learn how private businesses in Nairobi are spurring social change, including how they are working towards equitable access to healthcare.”

Edric Zeng

BS, Human Biology, ’19

Company & Location

ECONIC, Kenya

Internship Focus

Edric is designing financial structures and drafting hospital policies for a new, pro-bono outpatient medical facility that is currently under construction.

“As a budding entrepreneur, the Seed internship program gives me the opportunity to learn what goes into starting, sustaining and scaling a business in a developing economy.”

Edwina Owusu-Adjapong

BS, Energy Resources Engineering, ’19

Company & Location

Accents & Art Ltd., Ghana

Internship Focus

Edwina is helping the CEO of Accents & Art to start a design school that provides youth with industrial and management training. She is assisting with recruiting students through community outreach, curriculum development, stakeholder management and policy design.

“I wanted my experience this summer to be meaningful but also challenging in the sense of confronting me with the unfamiliar. I expect to learn much about Africa, about business, and about myself.”

Eli Navarro

BS, Undeclared, ’22

Company & Location

Autoboys, South Africa

Internship Focus

Eli is integrating data and business analytics into the day-to-day decision making at an auto parts company. He will leave behind a functioning system that the company can use well into the future.

“You can work at a tech company or do research at any time of the year, but immersing yourself in a totally new environment? That’s a rare opportunity!”

Eric Zhou

BS, Computer Science, ’22

Company & Location

Pony Transport, Botswana

Internship Focus

Eric is interning with a transportation logistics company. He is helping the company incorporate new software and AI techniques into their planning and workflow.

“Seed allows me to work closely with a partnering organization to obtain a relationship that can’t be found through detached research.”

Eunice Jung

BA, Anthropology and International Relations, ’21

Company & Location

Happy Kids School, Ghana

Internship Focus

Eunice is developing leadership programming for the school. She is also assisting teachers with alternative forms of learning and education to empower young students.

“I hope to better observe the operations of a social-impact oriented company in East Africa. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to learn from business leaders intent on helping their wider society.”

Farouk Grissom

BS, Management Science and Engineering, ’21

Company & Location

Ten Senses Africa, Kenya

Internship Focus

Farouk is helping Ten Senses Africa, a company dedicated to organic, fair trade and ethical business practices. As an operations intern, Farouk is working to optimize farmers’ customer experience.

“I am passionate about the future of sustainable energy systems and reliable electricity capacity expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as policy and economic pathways to achieving them.”

Folasade Ayoola

PhD, Energy Resources Engineering, ’23

Company & Location

Adpack, Kenya

Internship Focus

Folasade is interning at Adpack, a packaging manufacturing company. She is running analytics on the company’s machinery in order to improve sustainability and productivity.

“I’m passionate about economic empowerment in Africa, and I’d like to use my skills and knowledge in a very intentional and meaningful way.”

Jack Nichols

BS, Earth Systems and East Asian Studies, ’18

Company & Location

Q-Sourcing, Uganda

Internship Focus

Jack is interning at Q-Sourcing, a company focused on improving labor productivity in Eastern Africa. He is helping the company optimize its training technologies.

“I hope to learn about development projects in the African context and contribute to the larger international development sector.”

Joanna Sundharam

MA, International Education Policy Analysis, ’19

Company & Location

Stanford Seed, Kenya

Internship Focus

Joanna is developing an impact evaluation project for 4-6 Seed companies. She is based at the Seed office in Nairobi, Kenya.

“Working in India through Seed will help me better understand how to consider and respect the unique perspectives of other nations in any future policy-related work.”

Jordan Blue

BA, Political Science, ’20

Company & Location

Tenovia, India

Internship Focus

Jordan is interning at Tenovia, an eCommerce firm that helps companies build a presence online. He is helping Tenovia’s data and analytics department.

“Stanford’s Seed Program is a crucial stage in my journey towards managing the construction of buildings and infrastructure in developing economies.”

Jose Antonio Alcalde Ramirez

MS, Sustainable Design & Construction Management, ’19

Company & Location

Dutum, Nigeria

Internship Focus

Jose is contributing to the planning of a proposed 500-unit real estate development project in Lagos. He is also working on a proposal for a logistics depot at Lungi International Airport in Sierra Leone.

“When I was young, I had a fascination for world geography and had a desire to travel to places far from home. Working at Pony Transport will be an incredible cultural immersion experience.”

JP Tang

BS, Mathematics, ’22

Company & Location

Pony Transport, Botswana

Internship Focus

JP is interning at an extreme terrain transport company. He is creating a scalable logistics algorithm that will increase transport efficiency and optimize the company’s services.

“Having previously done physics lab research, I was looking to move towards an industry setting. Being from Ethiopia, I have always been interested in learning about the culture and development of the continent.”

Kay Anley

BS, Physics, ’21

Company & Location

Autoboys, South Africa

Internship Focus

Kay is helping an automotive parts company that has recently implemented Tableau as a data visualization tool. She is teaching the company how to better display data so they can make business decisions with more agility.

“I chose Seed due to its mission of aiding African business development. Also, due to my namesake [renowned Kenyan Olympic athlete Kipchonge Keino], I have always wanted to visit Kenya.”

Keino Davis

MS, Materials Science and Engineering, ’20

Company & Location

FunKidz, Kenya

Internship Focus

Keino is analyzing how FunKidz can use byproducts (such as coconut fibre and re-processed wood) as recyclable materials for new furniture and items.

“As a Seed intern, I will be given a rare opportunity to make an impact on a company’s future - within my personal fields of interest, including finance and business development.”

Kyle Zhu

BS, Computer Science & Economics, ’22

Company & Location

Software Technologies, Kenya

Internship Focus

Kyle is interning at a firm that develops software products to help companies manage human resources and payroll, contract management, and corporate governance. He is developing strategies to empower resellers to expand geographically.

“I am passionate about the African continent. Being African in the diaspora, and at Stanford has opened my eyes to the potential that my country, and other African states enclose.”

Latifah Mashenge Keza

BA, Undeclared, ’21

Company & Location

Les Enfants de Dieu, Rwanda

Internship Focus

Latifah is helping the administration of a childrens’ orphanage create a rehabilitation curriculum for street children. She is also developing fundraising and marketing processes.

“I chose Seed because of how different it is to the typical summer internship. I hope to learn more about startups in developing countries.”

Lorenzo de la Puente

BA, Economics & Computer Science, ’21

Company & Location

WARC Group, Sierra Leone

Internship Focus

Lorenzo is interning at a start-up in Sierra Leone that provides farmers with advanced technology and introduces new agricultural practices. He is focusing on data analysis.

“I’ve worked as a part-time intern for Seed since last year, and I’ve begun to understand how Seed’s work can create lasting change for participant companies and the people those companies serve. I’m excited to help out in a different dimension of Seed’s work.”

Luke Miller

MS, Computer Science, ’21

Company & Location

Stanford Seed, Kenya

Internship Focus

Luke is an action research intern for Seed in Nairobi, Kenya. He is helping Seed evaluate the program’s impact by conducting interviews with Seed companies around Nairobi.

“I chose Seed to experience another side of Africa than the one I come from. I hope to not only gain a stomach full of new flavors but also a professional acumen for engineering culture and conducting business in East Africa.”

Mamadou Diallo

BS, Computer Science, ’20

Company & Location

Upande, Kenya

Internship Focus

Mamadou is developing a payment solutions system so that tenants can easily pay and take control of their water bills.

“I want to explore business opportunities in Africa and experience a new culture.”

Man (Sherry) Zhu

MS, Management Science and Engineering, ’19

Company & Location

Society Stores, Kenya

Internship Focus

Man is helping Society Stores, a supermarket, establish an e-commerce platform so the company can sell things online.

“I am interested in conducting research and programming in a developing region, and the Seed summer internship is the perfect way for me to get a taste of it!”

Melanie Leung

MA, International Education Policy Analysis, ’19

Company & Location

CARE Group of Institutions, India

Internship Focus

Melanie is studying student engagement at an engineering and architecture college. She is conducting pilot programs to explore how the campus can be modified to better engage students.

“The ability to work closely with a world-class entrepreneur in an emerging market for a summer is once-in-a-lifetime, and to have the opportunity vetted and funded by Seed is simply incredible.”

Mike Lewis

MBA, ’20

Company & Location

AC Group, Rwanda

Internship Focus

Mike is interning at AC Group, a leading provider of transportation solutions to bus operators in Rwanda. He is working closely with the company’s founder and CEO to examine the most attractive possibilities for new products and new markets.

“I chose Seed because it is allowing me to explore the intersection of the arts, identity, and business. I hope to come away from this internship knowing how to collaborate artistically with different African cultures than my own.”

Mylan Gray

BA, African and African American Studies & Theatre and Performance Studies, ’20

Company & Location

Accents and Arts, Ghana

Internship Focus

Mylan is working closely with the company owner to develop an Art and Design Institute in Accra. The Institute will formally educate West African youth in sculpture making and metal work, so they can learn certified skills that will make them employable as artists.

“I hope to gain a greater understanding of the world of cosmetics and skincare, as well as an appreciation for working internationally.”

Natalie Sada

BA, American Studies & Data Science, ’21

Company & Location

FC Beauty College, Ghana

Internship Focus

Natalie is interning at FC Beauty College, a provider of quality beauty education and products. She is focusing on business development, marketing and branding.

“I chose to do a Seed internship because of the glowing accounts from several of my peers who participated last summer. The exposure to a country and culture so distinct from that which I am familiar will be incredibly valuable.”

Nick Kinglsey

BA, Political Science & Economics, ’20

Company & Location

Stanford Seed, India

Internship Focus

Nick is conducting impact evaluation of Seed’s small and medium enterprises. He is based at Seed’s India office.

“Growing up in the US, but being of Nigerian heritage, I hold Africa very close to my heart. I want to be a part of the story in which its potential is realized.”

Oladoyin Oladapo

MBA, ’20

Company & Location

Bellanaija, Nigeria

Internship Focus

Oladoyin is interning at the Nigerian media platform Bellanaija. He is focusing on content strategy and production.

“I am passionate about developing and scaling businesses in emerging markets. I also want to immerse myself in the Rwandan culture, as well as build my network on the continent.”

Olamide Aladesuru

MBA, ’20

Company & Location

AC Group, Rwanda

Internship Focus

Olamide is interning at a tech company that provides smart transport solutions. After introducing WiFi on all public buses in Kigali, the company is expanding to other countries. Olamide is helping the company shape its expansion strategy.

“More than half of global population-growth in the next twenty years will come from Africa. Seed offers the opportunity to learn first-hand from leading entrepreneurs servicing this dynamic continent.”

Oseas Ayerdi

MS, Management Science and Engineering, ’19

Company & Location

Autoboys, South Africa

Internship Focus

Oseas is supporting the design and implementation of Move, a management system for independent workshops across South Africa.

“I hope my Seed internship will help me understand the dynamics in Kenya and Africa in general, more deeply. And perhaps even shatter any misconceptions I had.”

Pallavi Sathyababu

MS, Management Science and Engineering, ’20

Company & Location

Norda Industries, Kenya

Internship Focus

Pallavi is interning at Kenya’s leading snacks producer. She will be focusing on marketing and helping the company identify strategies to improve sales.

“I hope to gain project experience of capacity planning and supply chain analysis in a different geographic context. This will give me global perspective on hospital operations.”

Paul Serrato

MS, Management Science and Engineering, ‘20

Company & Location

Ruai Family Hospital, Kenya

Internship Focus

Paul is forecasting capacity requirements for a new, multi-specialty hospital in Kenya. The hospital is for lower and middle-income earners in the country.

“Being exposed to a different developing country, other than my own, will help me grow as an architect and allow me to approach issues in different ways.”

Paula Garza Gonzalez

BS, Architectural Design, ’21

Company & Location

Millenium Immobilier, Cameroon

Internship Focus

Paula is interning at a company that is building affordable, economic housing in Cameroon. She is working with eco-blocks and other sustainable materials.

“A Seed internship will help me develop a greater awareness of corporate cultures outside of the US. I will see how I can best prepare and position myself when I choose to start doing business in Sub-Saharan Africa.”

Peace Edem

BA, Human Biology, ’19

Company & Location

KAD Manufacturing, Ghana

Internship Focus

Peace is an intern at a leading apparel and clothing production company. KAD Manufacturing produces clothing for the local market (uniforms for students and industry), as well as for export.

“I believe the Seed program will be a wonderful learning experience as I navigate the start-up landscape within a developing economy.”

Priscilla Agbeo

BA, African and American Studies & Global Studies, ’19

Company & Location

VConnect, Lagos

Internship Focus

Priscilla is an intern at VConnect, a company that helps people hire local service professionals. She is contributing to VConnect’s marketing and growth team as the company explores expanding to other African countries.

“I am passionate about bringing more equitable access to key resources and technology to people worldwide.”

Rebecca Colby

MBA, ’20

Company & Location

Alpha Direct Insurance Company, Botswana

Internship Focus

As a member of the business strategy leadership team, Rebecca is helping Alpha Direct explore innovative new products. The company operates in the insurance and insuretech space in Africa.

“Seed – and, in particular, an internship at Alpha Direct – lies at the intersection of entrepreneurism, cultural immersion, and social awareness.”

Rodolfo Isaac Arocha

BA, Economics, ’21

Company & Location

Alpha Direct Insurance Company, Botswana

Internship Focus

Isaac is helping Alpha Direct monitor its competitors, assess the viability of new markets, and enhance its internal strategies.

“As an Addis Ababa native, I’ve always wanted a career that would allow me to center and uplift the work of African people. I’m excited to expand my East African network.”

Saron Dea

MS, Management Science and Engineering, ’20

Company & Location

Uneeco Paper Products, Kenya

Internship Focus

Uneeco Paper Products is a top supplier to the East African print and packaging industry. Saron is working in operations, product management, and strategy, with the goal of increasing the company’s market share.

“Seed offers an interesting opportunity to explore a new work environment and brainstorm ideas to help developing businesses grow.”

Sushant Gupta

MS, Civil Engineering, ’19

Company & Location

Wood-Et-Al, Nigeria

Internship Focus

Sushant is helping Wood-Et-Al, a furniture manufacturing company in Nigeria, become more efficient. He is focusing on clearing bottlenecks within manufacturing in order to keep costs low.

“I wanted to use this summer to take me far out of my comfort zone. I was also excited about the unique opportunity of working directly under the CEO of a company.”

Susie Garcia

BA, Undeclared, ’22

Company & Location

CARE Group of Institutions, India

Internship Focus

CARE Group of Institutions runs educational programs in business and engineering at their Tamil Nadu campus. Susie is creating marketing materials to attract and encourage students who currently don’t have access to a quality education.

“I was born in Nigeria and lived there for nine years. Nigerians are hardworking and innovative people capable of breaking cycles of intergenerational poverty. Seed provides just the opportunity to do that.”

Taiwo Odunowo

BA, Public Policy & Economics, ’22

Company & Location

Alpha Beta Education Centre, Ghana

Internship Focus

Taiwo is an intern at Alpha Beta, a kindergarten-grade 12 school. He is working closely with the school’s top management to produce an operating manual, establish policies, and ensure the school’s sustainability.

“You can understand a culture and business context in depth and make friends by living and working in a new country. I’m excited for this immersive experience.”

Tanvi Chheda

PhD, Geology, ’21

Company & Location

Professional Marketing Services Group, Kenya

Internship Focus

Tanvi is helping PMS Group digitize and expedite their current manual data collection process. She is implementing the technology solutions that the company requires.

“I chose Seed to expand my understanding of the world, entrepreneurship, and culture. I want to broaden my perspective and Seed offered a powerful manner to do so.”

Xolotl A Cruz-De Jesus

BA, Undeclared, ’20

Company & Location

Upande, Kenya

Internship Focus

Xolotl is interning at a company that creates innovative solutions to agricultural and resource shortages. He is helping the company with marketing and advertising.

“I want to explore the possibility of a career pursuing global social impact through business.”

Zachary Burton

PhD, Geological & Environmental Sciences, ’20

Company & Location

Stanford Seed, India

Internship Focus

Zachary is conducting action research at Seed’s India office. He is studying the impact of Seed’s small and medium enterprises on customers, employees, suppliers, local communities, and the planet.