Meet the NYC Venture Capital Internship Alumni: Alexandru Daniel Soroiu

Howdy! My name is Alex, short for Alexandru, and I’m originally from a small town in Romania, about 50 miles northwest of Bucharest. These days, I’m a rising junior at Wagner College in Staten Island, where I’m double-majoring in computer science and finance with a mathematics minor.

This summer, I’ve landed at Blue Ridge Labs at Robin Hood, a place that champions innovation and tech for social good. My role places me right in the heart of engineering and automation, where I get to build practical solutions with Zapier, Airtable, and other tools that transform our team’s workflows. There’s something genuinely satisfying about getting two totally different systems to talk to each other, sure, a bit geeky, but very cool! I also work on our internal DIG app, which is a tool that helps us coordinate community engagement and involve New Yorkers in our investment and product development processes.

No two days are alike. Most mornings start with me agonizing over whether I need that extra coffee or if today will be a matcha kind of day, sometimes both (lol)! The work here is a healthy blend of engineering tasks and creative problem solving. One minute, I’m writing a new automation to help the team save time with repetitive tasks; the next, I’m brainstorming ways to improve how our DIG app supports our users.

What I love most is the collaborative energy, there’s always something going on. Our weekly working sessions are high-energy and productive. Demo Days are a highlight, too. Everyone shares their projects—from updates on the DIG app to new features that help our programs run smoother. It’s inspiring to see so many bright minds focused on using technology for real-world impact.

Work is busy, but Blue Ridge Labs gets the balance just right. Every meeting starts with a fun icebreaker, which never fails to make me smile. One of my favorites: “If you could name our Wi-Fi network, what would it be?” I went with “The Curious Cat,” which kind of captures how I approach tech, always poking around for new ideas and solutions! These silly moments bring us closer as a team and make the work environment genuinely enjoyable.

Then there are our weekly lunches and “after-action” smoothie runs with my manager, a tradition that is both delicious and a great way to pick up life and career wisdom outside the office walls. The best part of being in NYC is that the food scene is unbeatable.

I’ve also loved the networking aspect: impromptu chats with engineers, business founders, and even hearing from past lab fellows. The environment is open and supportive, everyone is eager to help you grow, share their journey, and hear your ideas.

From a technical perspective, I’ve gained a ton of practical experience in no-code automation platforms and honed a system-thinking approach to internal tool development. Each challenge and project has taught me the importance of clear communication, fast problem-solving, and creative approaches. Sometimes the simplest fix to a tangled workflow comes during a casual conversation over smoothies. I’m also more confident presenting my ideas, thanks to the regular Demo Days and team brainstorming sessions.

As graduation approaches, I’m hoping to find a role that sits at the exciting intersection of tech, business, and social impact. Whether I will be building products from scratch or optimizing the tools that teams rely on, I want to create real change, preferably surrounded by equally passionate people. What’s my dream job? One where I can take big ideas from the drawing board all the way to production, collaborate with teams, and yes, maybe even name a few networks along the way.

There’s no place like NYC, its vibrant energy and diversity push you to aim higher, dream bolder, and make things happen. I’d love to stick around and dive deeper into this one-of-a-kind tech community.

Thinking about applying for a program like this? Do it! Get ready to learn, connect, and have fun. Say yes to every opportunity, welcome feedback (it’s a gift), and don’t skip the icebreakers, they’re more important than you think. And remember to treat yourself to that extra coffee or matcha, it’s all part of the adventure.

If you’re curious, eager to make a difference, and ready for some fun (and food!), there’s a place here for you. The skills, teamwork, and memories you’ll gain are worth every moment. See you at the next Demo Day… or coffee run!