Solid match
Sofia Alvarez
University of Bristol
BSc Mathematics, Penultimate year
Predicted 2:1
Data Analyst, A scale-up
- Python
- SQL
- Dashboards
- Claude
Available part-time during term
Giving the brightest minds the best opportunities
The UK's top university students, trained to put AI to work, matched to real projects inside startups and SMEs.
The student path
- ApplyOne form
- ScreeningTEC review
- AI readinessCertificate required
- MarketplaceTalent bank
Only students who complete Master AI with Responsible Prompting (or another suggested AI Prompting Course) and upload the certificate to the portal enter the talent marketplace. TEC is partnered with Remy Foucher and the team at Santander.
Developed with
Durham University Venture Lab
For Students
Applying as a student?
Freesecond-round plan
- How does applying work?
- Application is free. One form, then AI readiness and a written pitch in your portal. The marketplace opens when those tasks are complete.
- What kind of work will I do?
- On request, you put AI workplace integration into action inside the firm, while working on their other project work.
- How am I assessed?
- People read your application and assess you against the project(s). A pass on the course shows you have the skills to make a real difference inside SMEs.
- Am I guaranteed a match?
- No. A match is not guaranteed. A strong application and a pass put you in front of hundreds of firms.
We require AI readiness for entry into the marketplace, and require proof of certification based on the free courses we endorse.
For Businesses
Hiring a student?
Freesecond-round plan
- What do I need to bring?
- A brief that sets out the work, and whether you want the student solely on AI workplace integration consulting, or that work alongside your other project work.
- How does matching work?
- All year round. We recommend students based on your brief and what you need. You can still browse our exceptional pool and choose the right fit.
- Who gets put forward?
- Undergraduates, master's and PhD students who have passed the TEC AI Workplace Integration Course. Ready to make the business more efficient, and to take on your project work.
- Which businesses do you work with?
- Startups and SMEs, across the industries we match into.
We recommend students based on your brief and what you need. You can still browse our exceptional pool and choose the right fit.
Durham University Venture Lab
Natwest Accelerator
Future Planet CapitalDurham University Venture LabNatwest AcceleratorFuture Planet CapitalMarketplace
We recommend students based on your brief and what you need. You can still browse our exceptional pool and choose the right fit.
Sign in to shortlist, message and match.
Solid match
Amelia Whitfield
University of Cambridge
MEng Information Engineering, Penultimate year
Predicted 1st
Research Assistant, Cambridge AI Lab
- Testing AI answers
- Search over documents
- Python
- Responsible prompting
Available Summer 2027, full-time
Solid match
Priya Raghunathan
King's College London
BSc Computer Science, Penultimate year
Predicted 1st
Software Engineering Intern, Payments company
- TypeScript
- Python
- Shipping updates
- Testing before launch
Available part-time during term
Solid match
Tom Hughes
University of Edinburgh
MA Economics, Penultimate year
Predicted 1st
Operations Intern, A 40-person firm
- Excel
- Notion
- Process mapping
- Stakeholder updates
Available Summer 2027, full-time
Solid match
Rohan Mehta
London School of Economics
BSc Economics, Penultimate year
Predicted 1st
Summer Analyst, Mid-market private equity fund
- Spreadsheet models
- Company research
- Python
- Writing memos
Available Summer 2027, full-time
Solid match
Isabelle Marchetti
University of Oxford
MBiochem Biochemistry, Final year
Distinction
Regulatory Affairs Intern, Clinical-stage biotech
- Lab automation
- Data analysis
- Scientific writing
- Python
Available full-time, graduate
Demo
Student portal and Business Hub
Open either side. The student portal includes tasks, messages, and marketplace match cards. The Business Hub mirrors marketplace, messages, selection, and plan.
The matching service
Recruits trained to make the firm more efficient
The UK's top university students, trained to put AI to work, matched with businesses. They can help you use AI inside the firm, and take on your other project work too.
Train, accredit, get matched
One application, at no charge. AI readiness is required before the marketplace opens. Placements run in summer or during term, against a written brief.
- Application is free for all students
- AI readiness is required: Master AI with Responsible Prompting (or another suggested AI Prompting Course), then upload the certificate
- Your profile posted to the marketplace, in front of hundreds of firms
- Matched all year round to project work inside businesses
- Monthly newsletter, live Q&A, and further perks coming soon
Submit a brief
You define the work. TEC puts forward students from the talent marketplace who can deliver it, including AI workplace integration inside the firm.
- Access to a talent marketplace of the UK's top university students, trained in AI workplace integration
- We recommend students based on your brief and what you need. You can still browse our exceptional pool and choose the right fit.
- On request, they help you use AI inside the firm, and take on your other project work
- Or they can focus solely on AI workplace integration consulting — you set the scope in your brief
- TEC does not take a cut of what you agree with the student
Top 10
UK university partners
Year-round
Matching into the talent marketplace
250+
Summer '26 applications, trial round
Accredited
AI workplace integration training
Process
How it works
01
Application or brief
Students submit one application. Businesses submit a brief, including whether the work is AI workplace integration only, or that plus other project work.
02
AI readiness
Students complete Master AI with Responsible Prompting (or another suggested AI Prompting Course) and upload the certificate to the portal. TEC is partnered with Remy Foucher and the team at Santander. The marketplace opens when those tasks are done.
03
Shortlist
The business receives a shortlist from the talent marketplace, matched to the brief. Students are put forward where they can make a real difference inside the firm.
04
Preparation
Onboarding is set to the tools the team uses. Start dates are agreed. Matching runs all year round.
05
Placement
The student enters the firm. On request they put AI workplace integration into action, while working on your other project work.
Industries
Across the industries we match into
Private Equity & Venture CapitalReal EstateFamily OfficesAccounting & ConsultingInsuranceAI & LLMsEdtech & FintechHealthtech & BiotechClimatetechLife Sciences & PharmaEngineering & AerospaceCybersecurity & DefenseEnergyAgricultureManufacturing & IndustrialsConstructionConsumer Brands & DTCRetail & E-commerceArchitecture & DesignMedia, Sport & HospitalityMarketingWellness & LifestyleGamingOther
Compared with standard hiring
How TEC differs from the usual internship process
The Current Route
The Too Early Co
Application
Fragmented forms, fees and rigid deadlines. Little visibility for the top applicants and strain on business leaders.
One application into the talent marketplace. Course, assessment and accreditation included. Dates flex around summer or the academic year.
Screening
Opaque CV filters that reward strong formatting over demonstrated capability.
Candidates are assessed against the specific project(s), and have passed the AI workplace integration course.
For businesses
Generic vacancies, high layered agency fees and inexperienced hires.
Submit a brief. Students can make the firm more efficient with AI workplace integration, and take on your other project work. TEC recommends based on your needs; you can browse the pool too.
Outcome
Coffee-fetching internships with little lasting value.
A student in the firm, trained and ready. AI integration on request, alongside defined project work.
The team
Built by students, for students
Charlie Bramwell and Rory Edwards built TEC while studying at Durham University. They work from inside the same university system, graduate market, and business networks their users are in.
Charlie Bramwell
LinkedIn- PPE student at Durham University
- BlackRock intern in Private Equity (RE) Investing
- Durham University 1st XI Football
- Head Boy at Repton School
Rory Edwards
LinkedIn- Studying Economics at Durham University
- Versus Acta intern in climate-tech (Incoming)
- Captain of Durham University 1st XI Football
- Scaled Spanish teaching platform and YouTube channel "Spanish with Rors"
Students
Free
to apply as a student
Applying to TEC is free for students. We require AI readiness for entry into the marketplace, and require proof of certification based on the free courses we endorse. A strong application puts your application in front of hundreds of businesses. Newsletter and live Q&A included. Further perks coming soon.
Businesses
Free
to use the marketplace
They can help you use AI inside the firm, and take on your other project work too. We recommend students based on your brief and what you need. You can still browse our exceptional pool and choose the right fit.
How does the application work?
Application is free. Confirm when you are available, then complete three tasks in your portal: the application, AI readiness, and a written pitch to TEC. The marketplace opens when those tasks are done.
Who is The Too Early Co. for?
Undergraduates, master's and PhD students at leading UK universities, and businesses that want recruits for the future of the firm. Students who can make the business more efficient with AI workplace integration, and take on project work.
Am I guaranteed a match?
No. A match is not guaranteed. A strong application, AI readiness and the written pitch put you on the marketplace in front of hundreds of firms.
What AI training is required?
AI readiness is required before the marketplace opens. Complete Master AI with Responsible Prompting (or another suggested AI Prompting Course) and upload the certificate to the portal. TEC is partnered with Remy Foucher and the team at Santander to deliver AI skills training.
How are students matched to businesses?
Submit a brief. We ask whether you want the student solely on AI workplace integration consulting, or that work alongside your other project work. Candidates are then assessed against that brief.
What does it cost?
Compensation is agreed directly between the business and the student. TEC does not take a percentage of the student's salary.
When do internships take place?
All year round. Summer or during the academic year, depending on what suits the student and the business. Exact dates are agreed once a match is made.