A Glimpse into Venture Capital with Cibus Capital

By Mia, Upper Sixth

The Downe House Internships Programme gives Sixth Form students the chance to gain professional experience in real-world industries, develop confidence, and explore their interests before university. Supported by the school, these placements allow students to see how businesses operate while learning skills that extend beyond the classroom.

This summer, I completed a three-day internship with Cibus Capital in London, a firm specialising in venture capital and private equity. During my placement, I was involved in updating research on one of their portfolio companies, BlueNalu, which develops cell-cultured seafood. I created a PowerPoint presentation summarising the company’s market position, strengths, risks, and ESG credentials, and explored how different departments at Cibus would assess the investment.

I also had the chance to speak with team members across the company, including the investment team, investor relations, mid-market team, venture capital team, COO, and the lawyers. Hearing about their varied roles and career paths was the highlight of my internship, and gave me a much clearer understanding of how venture capital and private equity operate from multiple angles.

It was such a great insight into a fast-moving and impactful industry, and has really helped me think more clearly about my future.

– Mia

One of the biggest lessons I took away from the experience was how important it is to be curious and proactive. Asking questions, showing initiative, and engaging with people made the internship far more valuable and enjoyable.

This placement perfectly illustrates the purpose of the Downe House Internships Programme: providing students with hands-on experience, exposure to professional environments, and the opportunity to develop personally and professionally in a supportive setting.