Missouri State University

Pilot Program

Lead Labs

Help tech startups find their first customers — while building real-world sales and marketing skills.

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Introducing Lead Labs

Lead Labs is a student-powered initiative from Codefi and efactory designed to support high-growth tech startups across Southern Missouri with one of their biggest challenges: finding and converting their earliest customers. Funded by the Missouri Technology Corporation’s MOBEC grant program, this internship provides students with practical, real-world experience in sales, marketing, and customer acquisition, while contributing to the success of regional startups.

This is not your typical internship. Lead Labs interns are embedded in real sales pipelines, using professional tools and guided by experienced startup mentors. You’ll learn how to research, engage, and nurture customer leads — a high-demand skill set that translates into almost any career path.

What You'll Do

As a Lead Labs intern, you’ll be part of a dynamic, structured program that balances training and execution. Your responsibilities will include:

  • Assist with Developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for key Marketing Channel Activities – Examples include:
    • SOP’s for Social posts and Blogs
    • SOP’s for Email drip campaigns
    • Other
  • Assist with Executing and Tracking Key Results (KR) for Marketing Channel Activities, like:
    • Social posts
    • Email drip campaigns
    • Other
  • Lead Generation & Research: Use prospecting tools and platforms (e.g. CRM, OpenAI) to build and refine lead lists based on target customer profiles.
  • Outbound Engagement: Execute outreach campaigns across email, phone, and social platforms to identify and qualify potential customers.
  • CRM & Funnel Support: Support sales operations by logging activities in CRM tools, updating customer funnels, and tracking KPIs.
  • Startup Collaboration: Work directly with startup founders to understand their go-to-market strategies and provide lead generation support tailored to their needs. Includes assisting founders with idea validation interviews.

Why Join Lead Labs

  • Real-world experience working with actual tech startups
  • Skill-building in high-demand areas like sales, marketing, and CRM
  • Hands-on exposure to professional software tools and systems
  • Potential for future job opportunities through Codefi or its startup network
  • Play a direct role in helping build the startup ecosystem in Missouri
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Are You the One?

Ideal candidates are:

  • Curious and Adaptable: You thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments and love figuring things out.
  • Strong Communicators: You can write clear, persuasive outreach emails and confidently engage in phone or video conversations.
  • Detail-Oriented Researchers: You know how to dig for information and synthesize it quickly into actionable insights.
  • Goal-Oriented & Driven: You’re motivated by KPIs and energized by measurable progress toward hitting sales milestones.
  • Entrepreneurially Minded:  Whether you want to start a company or just work in a startup, you’re excited by early-stage challenges and creative problem solving.

Key Details

  • Location: Springfield, MO
  • Time Commitment: 10–15 hours per week
  • Compensation: Paid internship (stipends provided through MOBEC funding) at $20 / hr
  • Duration: Academic semester (with potential for extension)
  • Tools You’ll Use: Custom Relationships Management (CRM), Google Workspace, Linkedin, OpenAI/ChatGPT, and other tools
  • Training Provided: Yes – interns receive onboarding and ongoing sales training

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Thanks to funding from the Missouri Technology Corporation MOBEC grant, all student wages are fully funded.