Jiya S.
Break into VC with a non-traditional background
Studied at Washington University in St. Louis
Works at Outsiders Fund
Available December 4 at 3:30 PM UTC
Please message for additional availability outside of my standard hours! I can be very flexible on weekends.
Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.
Jiya's Coaching Offerings
Custom hourly · $50/hr
Get help with Skill Building, Venture Capital Strategy, and .
Jiya’s Venture Capital Qualifications
Experience level: Associate
Breaking into venture capital is hard -- especially without the banking or consulting path. I went through dozens of interviews, technical cases, and partner conversations before landing investor roles, and I understand firsthand what it takes to stand out in a competitive process with out a traditional background. I have experience across early-stage VC and fintech product management at Citi. As a coach, I focus on helping candidates translate their unique backgrounds into compelling stories, prepare for cases with confidence, and develop the frameworks that interviewers are really looking for. If you’re trying to break into VC (especially from a non-traditional background) I can help you navigate the process and land the role.
Jiya can help with:
Skill Building
Venture Capital Strategy
Deal Sourcing
LinkedIn Review
Resume Review
Networking Strategy
Due Diligence
Investment Evaluation
Salary Negotiation
Technical Interview Prep
Behavioral Interview Prep
General Exploration
About Jiya
I’m a venture investor at Outsiders Fund in New York, where I invest in early-stage software (seed & series A). Getting here wasn’t linear. I started my career in Citi’s startup-focused innovation group, and also spent time working with early-stage founders as a consultant and advisor. I ran my own small business in college, helped build product inside a large company, and eventually used that experience to break into venture -- without banking, without the “traditional” feeder background, and without an obvious path in. Along the way, I learned how to position myself, tell my story effectively, build real founder relationships, and identify where I could add value despite not fitting the typical mold. That process shaped how I help people navigate their own careers.
Why do I coach?
I coach because I know exactly how hard it is to break into VC when you are not coming from a preset track. I had to figure out what skills actually mattered, how to frame my experience, how to stand out in founder and partner conversations, and how to navigate an interview process and industry that is notoriously opaque. When I was trying to break in, Leland was one of the few resources that genuinely helped me, both in understanding how to position myself and in demystifying the industry enough to approach the process with confidence instead of guesswork. That experience made the difference for me, and it is a big part of why I coach now. I want to make the path clearer for people who are trying to get into venture, transition into tech, or simply figure out what career direction fits them. I learned through a lot of trial, error, and iteration, and I know how valuable direct, tactical guidance can be. Coaching lets me give others what I wish I had more of early on: honest feedback, strong frameworks, a clearer narrative, and support in making smart, confident career decisions.
Work Experience
Investor
Outsiders Fund
2025 - Present
Investor
Venture Guides
2024 - 2025
Infrastructure software & cybersecurity
Product Manager - Payments
Citi
2021 - 2024
Education
Washington University in St. Louis
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - BSBA, Finance and Entrepreneurship
Activities and societies: Honors in Innovation & Entrepreneurship; Dean's List Pam Kendall-Rijos Women's Mentor Program, Olin Student Code of Conduct Board, Student Entrepreneurial Program, Pi Beta Phi Economics and Interpersonal Skills
Olin School of Business
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Finance and Entrepreneurship
Economics and Interpersonal Skills