2027 Private Equity Summer Associate Internship

Position Summary

Vista is a preeminent technology investor, specializing in enterprise AI and software, with over $100 billion in AUM. Through our three private equity funds – Endeavor, Foundation, and Flagship – we partner with companies at all stages of growth.

Our 10-week Summer Associate Program – taking place exclusively in Chicago – offers first-year MBA students hands-on experience in private equity investing, including valuation, due diligence, deal execution, and portfolio value creation. The internship provides exposure to multiple funds. Candidates will be asked to share a fund preference to help align opportunities with their skills and interests. 

Upon completion of the program, successful Summer Associates may be considered for full-time opportunities beginning in Summer 2028. These roles are expected to be available in one of our primary office locations, including Chicago, IL; Austin, TX; or San Francisco, CA, subject to business needs and availability.

Application Process:

To be considered, please submit your application and complete the following items: research our funds and submit the application form indicating your fund preferences, and complete the online cognitive assessment. All items must be completed by November 29, 2026, at 11:55 P.M. CT. A link to the assessment will be sent automatically via email once your application is submitted, and completion of the assessment is a required part of our holistic evaluation process. The assessment is considered complete once you are returned to the iCIMS application portal.

Please be sure to finish all parts of the assessment. You must go through each assessment prompt until you’re sent back to the application portal. Your application will only show as complete once you’ve answered each question and returned to the portal.

To best prepare for the role and recruitment process, we encourage you to explore our Company Essentials course on Forage. This resource provides a deeper understanding of Vista Equity Partners, our investment philosophy, fund strategies, and how each fund operates, helping you better understand our approach to software investing.

If you require a disability-related accommodation to complete the cognitive assessment, please contact us at campusrecruiting@vistaequitypartners.com. 

The annualized base pay range for this role is expected to be between $120,000 - $150,000. 

Responsibilities

As a Summer Associate, you will:

• Support the evaluation of prospective investment opportunities through financial analysis, due diligence, and assessment of key investment considerations and risks.

• Build and analyze financial models to assess company performance, valuation, capital structure, and potential investment returns.

• Prepare financial analyses, investment materials, and presentations to support investment team discussions and decision-making.

• Gain exposure to the investment lifecycle by contributing to active deal processes, including diligence, transaction execution, and closing activities, as applicable.

• Analyze portfolio company financial and operating performance, including key business drivers, growth opportunities, and performance against plan.

• Collaborate with investment professionals and Vista colleagues on projects related to portfolio company strategy, operational improvement, and value creation.

• Participate in team meetings, investment discussions, and other opportunities to gain insight into Vista's investment approach and portfolio management practices.

• Take ownership of assigned analyses and project deliverables, working closely with investment team members throughout the internship.

Qualifications

We are seeking candidates who demonstrate:

• Enrollment as a first-year MBA student with an expected graduation of Spring 2028.
• Prior experience in investment banking, with private equity a strong plus; other backgrounds in financial services, consulting, or related roles will also be considered.
• Exceptional analytical, financial modeling, and business judgment skills.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• A demonstrated interest in investing, financial markets, and technology industry sectors/trends.
• High levels of personal and professional maturity, with a strong work ethic and accountability.
• Self-motivation and a high degree of initiative. 

Company Overview

Vista is a preeminent technology investor, specializing in enterprise AI and software, with over $100 billion in AUM. For over 25 years and across every technology cycle, Vista has been pioneering new approaches to software investing, delivering consistent and compelling results at scale. Today, we're applying that expertise to help harness the transformative potential of AI to redefine how work gets done. Further information is available at vistaequitypartners.com. Follow Vista on LinkedIn, @Vista Equity Partners, and on YouTube.