Project Intern, Startup Collaboration

Hitachi•Santa Clara, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Hitachi America, Ltd. is the regional headquarters for Hitachi Group companies in the Americas, overseeing the U.S., Canada, and Latin America markets. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, Hitachi Americas has been deeply committed to its Social Innovation Business since its establishment in 1959, addressing society's most pressing challenges through innovative solutions. Leveraging its expertise and resources, Hitachi Americas and its subsidiary companies operate across diverse sectors, including transportation, energy, mobility, industrial manufacturing, healthcare, digital engineering, data analytics and others. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, Hitachi Americas remains at the forefront of pioneering solutions that shape the future. Through its Social Innovation Business (SIB) that brings together IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products, Hitachi contributes to a harmonized society where the environment, wellbeing, and economic growth are in balance. Hitachi operates globally in four sectors – Digital Systems & Services, Energy, Mobility, and Connective Industries – and the Strategic SIB Business Unit for new growth businesses. With Lumada at its core, Hitachi generates value from integrating data, technology and domain knowledge to solve customer and social challenges. Revenues for FY2024 (ended March 31, 2025) totaled 9,783.3 billion yen, with 618 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 280,000 employees worldwide. Hitachi’s R&D Center, located in Santa Clara, CA, serves as a pivotal technology hub to support Hitachi’s global Social Innovation business. The Startup Collaboration team identifies and engages with emerging startups whose technologies can accelerate Hitachi’s businesses, builds partnerships and proof-of-concept pilots between startups and internal business units, and runs accelerator programs and ecosystem-building activities that connect Hitachi with the broader innovation community. In this role, you will support the Startup Collaboration team across day-to-day operations, including startup scouting and research, pipeline tracking, preparing materials for partnership discussions, and helping coordinate accelerator programs and ecosystem events. You will work closely with team members to translate observations from startup meetings into concise briefs that inform internal stakeholders. This internship is a great opportunity to gain hands-on exposure to how a global industrial technology company engages with the startup ecosystem, and to sharpen your research, communication, and program-support skills in a fast-moving environment.

Requirements

Prior work experience with startups - including internships at startups, incubators, accelerators, or other startup-facing roles is a plus.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise briefs for senior audiences.
Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and comfort learning new tools quickly.
Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and operate independently in ambiguous environments.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with startup databases such as Crunchbase, PitchBook, or Dealroom.
Exposure to industries relevant to Hitachi’s business (mobility, energy, industrial systems, IT, or healthcare).
Experience coordinating events, programs, or student organizations.

Responsibilities

Conduct market and technology landscape research to identify emerging startups relevant to Hitachi’s business units.
Source and track startups using databases such as Crunchbase, PitchBook, or Dealroom.
Maintain and update the team’s startup pipeline, and internal tracking documents.
Take structured notes during startup pitches and partnership meetings, and translate them into concise briefs and one-pagers.
Draft summaries, slide content, and internal communications for business stakeholders.
Support the coordination of accelerator programs, demo days, and ecosystem events, including logistics, scheduling, and materials preparation.
Assist with preparing materials for partnership and proof-of-concept discussions between startups and internal teams.
Communicate findings, observations, and recommendations clearly to team members and stakeholders.