Most private equity and search fund internships revolve around sourcing deals or building financial models. This one doesn't. By the time a deal reaches you, the Letter of Intent has already been submitted. Your role begins when the real work starts. You'll help lead transactions from LOI through closing, working directly with brokers, coordinating diligence, supporting lender and investor communications, and helping move acquisitions across the finish line alongside me. This is execution, not prospecting. What You'll Do Manage a portfolio of live acquisition opportunities after LOIs have been submitted Serve as the primary point of contact with brokers throughout diligence Coordinate buyer diligence requests and keep transactions moving Participate in lender and investor discussions as deals are structured and financed Work directly with me on negotiations, deal strategy, and transaction management Learn how real acquisitions progress from signed LOI to closing You won't spend your internship cold calling, chasing leads, or working through hypothetical case studies. You'll work on active confidential transactions with real buyers, sellers, brokers, banks, and investors. Why This Internship Is Different You'll join an operating acquisition platform with a team of more than 40 people across sourcing, underwriting, diligence, and operations. The infrastructure already exists. Your job is to step into live transactions and help get them across the finish line. You'll gain exposure to: Live LOIs and purchase negotiations Due diligence management Debt financing and lender coordination Investor communications Broker relationship management Real transaction documents and confidential deal materials You'll see firsthand why deals close, and why some don't. Who We're Looking For We're looking for people who genuinely enjoy talking to people, are confident in professional conversations, and stay composed when navigating negotiations or difficult discussions. Ideal candidates include: MBA students Law students Undergraduate students Recent graduates Working professionals exploring private equity, search funds, or acquisition entrepreneurship Previous M&A experience is not required. Sales, business development, consulting, operations, legal, or client-facing experience is a significant plus. What matters most is that you're eager to learn, communicate professionally, build relationships quickly, and take ownership of the deals entrusted to you. Program Details Fully remote Unpaid internship August 3, 2026 – October 30, 2026 Approximately 16–24 hours per week Applications close July 31 Outstanding interns may have the opportunity to continue with Gardner Acquisitions & Closings beyond the internship as the firm continues to grow. Learn more at gardneracquisitions.com. How to Apply: Please answer the following questions as part of your application: Why are you interested in leading transactions from LOI through closing rather than sourcing or financial analysis? What interests you about private equity, search funds, or acquisition entrepreneurship? Tell me about a time you negotiated, managed an important relationship, or owned a project from beginning to end. A resume is welcome but not required. Clear, thoughtful responses tell me far more than a list of bullet points.