The Parting Shot | What a VC Internship Taught Me About The Power Of Stories

There’s a rhythm to life at a venture capital firm, part strategic sprints and part storytelling marathons. What I didn’t expect was how deeply I’d be embedded in the storytelling that shapes the voice and identity of a VC firm. 

From day one, I was given the opportunity to work across a range of communication touchpoints which involved newsletters, social media posts, podcast releases, founder features, and thought leadership content. Each piece, no matter how small, taught me something about clarity, nuance, and the importance of context in shaping the firm’s identity and the portfolio it backs. Whether it was distilling investment updates into crisp LinkedIn posts or refining long-form interviews into web-ready features, the work pushed me to write with clarity, creativity, and purpose. 

Most people associate VC with funding rounds and founder stories. But what often goes unseen is the careful thought that goes into the messaging that surrounds these milestones, be it the new portfolio investments or even market expansion. Working at Vertex Ventures SEA & India gave me a front-row seat to the diversity of stories emerging from Southeast Asia and India. I was reminded that behind every headline is a founder navigating uncertainty, a market in flux, and a team chasing bold outcomes.

Perhaps what I appreciated most was the trust of being empowered to contribute meaningfully while still learning. I saw how carefully every word is weighed, not just to inform, but to inspire confidence, build alignment, and spark curiosity, whether it’s for founders, partners, or the broader ecosystem. I learned how the right message, delivered at the right moment, can open doors. 

As I wrap this chapter, I leave not only with a sharper understanding of venture capital, but a deeper appreciation for storytelling as a strategic tool, one that can connect ideas to outcomes and vision to value. My biggest takeaway? Venture is as much about people as it is about capital. And telling the right story that captures not just numbers but nuance  is often the first step in building something that lasts.

*Edited by *Rahul Thayyalamkandy, Director, Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India.

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