[brudgers]

To me, the plan is inappropriate because accepting an internship entails a significant opportunity cost for students. Offering non-existent positions at a non-existent company seems absent of sound consideration of ethics.

From a business standpoint, it is difficult to see how running an internship program could rationally become a top priority for a fledgling business.

That aside, internships are appropriate when the company has the necessary surplus of financial and staff resources upfront to create an environment focused on learning over creating business value.

Good luck.