𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 VVSEAI 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺: Veenu

We’re excited to share our “𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 VVSEAI 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺” series to introduce the wonderful, multi-faceted talent we have at Vertex Ventures SEA & India! For the month of June, we would like to introduce our colleague Veenu based in Bangalore, India.

1. What led you to venture capital, and what did you study along the way?

I have over 10 years of experience spanning both operating and investing roles. I have always enjoyed working closely with startup founders and supporting their journeys. Immediately before Vertex, I was at DevRev, a Palo Alto-headquartered AI unicorn, where I led GTM for the SMB segment, scaling business, marketing, and partnerships while owning the global top-of-funnel. Prior to that, I spent over 3.5 years at Kae Capital, an early-stage venture fund in India, focusing on investments across B2B SaaS, AI, and B2B commerce. I hold a B.Tech from IIT Kanpur and an MBA from IIM Calcutta.

2. What has surprised you most about working at Vertex Ventures SEA & India?

I am impressed by the combination of intellectual rigor and genuine humility. There is a culture of debating ideas, challenging assumptions, and continuously learning. I've also liked how insights travel across markets, with teams sharing learnings from Southeast Asia, India, and beyond, which broadens the lens through which we evaluate opportunities.

3. What is a view you hold about technology or building companies that not everyone shares?

I believe that building enduring companies requires founders to balance conviction with adaptability. While persistence is often celebrated, I think some of the best founders are exceptional at recognizing when assumptions no longer hold and are willing to pivot, even after investing significant time and effort in a particular direction. 

4. What is something outside work you have been into lately?

Basketball has been a constant throughout much of my life, and I played competitively during college. Lately, I've been enjoying spending time outdoors and playing badminton.

In January, we featured another colleague, Jiaxi. Read more about her here.

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