MBA Intern, Planetary Health

Novo Holdings is seeking an MBA Intern to support the Planetary Health Investments team in its investment activities over the course of the fall/spring semester in its San Francisco office.

Novo Holdings is the holding company of the Novo Group and is a Danish private limited liability company wholly owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. As of 2024, the Novo Nordisk Foundation had total assets under management of USD 136 billion, including an investment portfolio of USD 29 billion. The purpose of Novo Holdings is to improve people’s health and the sustainability of society and the planet by generating attractive long-term returns on the assets of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Novo Holdings is the controlling shareholder of Novo Nordisk and Novonesis (the Novo Group companies) and manages an investment portfolio with a long-term return perspective.

The Planetary Health team invests in transformative solutions that address the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Our mandate is to deliver competitive financial returns while accelerating the transition to a sustainable economy, with a focus on Food & Agriculture, Cities / Urbanization, Materials, and Energy. We seek to back visionary companies and technologies that can scale to improve planetary health and resilience while seeking financial returns. Our portfolio includes venture, growth, and buyout profiles with a focus on buyout transactions in the U.S.

Headquartered in Copenhagen, with affiliates in San Francisco, Boston, Singapore, and Shanghai, Novo Holdings is a world-leading life science and sustainability investor with a focus on creating long-term value.

Further information: www.novoholdings.dk

The Job

The Planetary Health Investments team invests in scalable, high-growth companies developing solutions for a sustainable future. The team takes a thematic approach to investing, focusing on specific ecosystems across our four priority domains:

• Food & Agriculture – enabling sustainable and secure food systems
• Cities / Urbanization – advancing resource-efficient and resilient urban living
• Materials – accelerating the shift to low-impact and circular material solutions
• Energy – supporting the transition to clean, reliable, and affordable energy systems

As an intern, you will join Novo Holdings’ Planetary Health Investments team in San Francisco and support the team in all aspects of its investment efforts.

Your tasks will include:

• Market landscaping across thematic areas, including mapping out a space, identifying key unmet needs, and identifying current (incumbents) and novel solutions (new companies/potential investments)
• Conducting financial analysis to assess new deal opportunities and strategic initiatives at existing portfolio companies (mix of venture, growth equity, and buyout transactions)
• Assisting in due diligence processes on new investment opportunities
• Preparing investment materials and internal memoranda on potential and existing investments
• Supporting management of team CRM systems and vendor platforms

Working at Novo Holdings

We have a respectful and collaborative work culture where your opinion is valued. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, welcome and celebrate individuals of all backgrounds, orientations, and identities. You will enjoy being part of a dedicated, international and dynamic team with diverse backgrounds.

Professional Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an MBA program
• Demonstrated interest or passion for sustainability, climate innovation, or the Planetary Health investment focus areas (Food & Agriculture, Cities / Urbanization, Materials, and Energy)
• Has achieved strong academic results and is interested in pursuing a career in financial services such as investment banking, venture capital, or private equity
• Possesses strong verbal and written English communication skills
• Is a demonstrated self-starter with a high level of integrity and accountability
• Exhibits strong intellectual curiosity and detail orientation
• Strong work ethic and is eager to work in a fast-paced environment

Personal Characteristics

• Excellent analytical skills with the right combination of overview and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently with structure
• Highly motivated self-starter
• Team player who wants to actively contribute and has a positive can-do attitude
• Quality-conscious and impact-oriented

Compensation will be on an hourly basis, with an expected commitment of 10–25 hours per week. The role will pay $26.00 per hour. While we encourage the intern to work on-site at least once per week, we offer flexibility in the exact schedule to accommodate academic and personal commitments. Lunch is offered in the office on a daily basis. Interns will also be reimbursed for commute-related expenses, up to $400 per month.