Venture Capital Coaches, Events, and Resources

Hello! I am passionate about building a more equitable future for all -- regardless of where one comes from. With a robust background in venture capital and strategic operations, I am here to help you navigate the competitive world of VC - especially as a once 'non traditional' applicant (female, POC, non-US citizen, etc.) myself. As an Investor at Acumen, I focus on high-impact entrepreneurs, particularly in healthcare, and have honed my skills in identifying and nurturing transformative ventures. I truly enjoy helping people come closer to their academic and career oriented dreams -- and I have successfully coached 12+ individuals, guiding them to achieve their career goals in venture capital. Let's connect and craft a personalized strategy to help you break into this dynamic field!

I broke into venture capital post investment banking at Goldman Sachs. I understand the criteria that VCs use to evaluate associates and I understand how to perform well in the job.

- Interned at M25 VC during MBA - Leveraged internship at FJ Labs during MBA into FT role - Have led / supported over 50 private markets transactions at FJ Labs - Head our India investment practice - Wrote about Opportunity Fund best practices & why diversification works in venture

I began my venture capital career at Sequoia Capital, where I learned directly from some of the industry’s best—gaining firsthand insight into how top firms identify and support exceptional founders. I went on to receive additional training through a selective venture scout program affiliated with Accel, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Sequoia, which sharpened my ability to assess early-stage opportunities and develop a strong investment thesis. Today, I bring that experience into my work as an angel investor, backing founders who are building with intention and ambition. As the first transgender woman to work in the venture capital industry, I also understand what it takes to navigate nontraditional paths and succeed in competitive, high-barrier spaces. If you're looking to break into VC or grow a meaningful career in the ecosystem, I’m here to help you move strategically—and unapologetically—toward your goals.

I worked in investment banking and growth equity for several years and have coached numerous candidates for jobs in these industries. I was actively involved with my firms' recruiting and hiring decisions and understand the process thoroughly; I was hired by the University of Michigan career center to coach students applying for investment banking jobs and have reviewed hundreds of resumes, cover letters and mock interviews; I have also spent many years working with non-profits such as Synergist to mentor college women interested in business and finance. I take a hands-on approach and strive to help every one of my clients reflect their best true potential.

Welcome to my profile! With a robust background in strategy and analytics, I bring a wealth of experience from top firms like Greycroft, Grow Therapy, and Faire. My journey began in consulting at PwC/S&. As a Senior Associate at Greycroft, I am deeply immersed in the VC landscape. I am passionate about helping aspiring venture capitalists (especially former consultants & operators looking for hybrid operating/investing roles) navigate the complexities of the industry and achieve their career goals. Let's connect and explore how I can support your journey into venture capital!

Priya joined Smash Capital in April 2022 as a Venture Investor in the Los Angeles investment office. Most recently, Priya worked at March Capital, a growth-stage venture capital fund in Santa Monica focused on B2B SaaS investments. Prior to joining March Capital, Priya received her MBA from Columbia Business School. During her time at Columbia, Priya worked at a seed stage venture capital fund focused on investing in female founded startups, an early-stage venture capital fund that invests in entrepreneurial consumer brands, and an early-stage venture capital fund focused on investing in enterprise businesses. Before business school, Priya worked at Deloitte Consulting where she specialized in transforming business processes at Fortune 500 organizations. At Deloitte, Priya developed global technology solutions for Financial Services clients but served clients in a variety of industries including TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecommunications), Consumer and Packaged Goods, and Professional Services. Outside of client service, Priya worked on a variety of entrepreneurial initiatives including consulting for grassroots organizations in Central America. Priya received her B.B.A from the University of Texas at Austin.

As an angel investor in Latin America, I bring a unique blend of experiences that position me to support early-stage startups. Having transitioned from a career in professional sports to tech, I understand the challenges of navigating change and seizing new opportunities. My background in building businesses and content strategies across Latin America gives me a deep understanding of the region's unique market dynamics. I also run a blog, Venture Capital Mx, where I interview founders and investors in Mexico, which helps me stay connected to the ecosystem and share valuable insights. My network of mentors, founders, and industry experts allows me to connect entrepreneurs with the right resources. This combination of resilience, strategic insight, and a strong support network enables me to provide meaningful value to the startups I invest in.

Multiple years experience working with B2B Founders/founding teams (including multiple investments made via a personal syndicate). Happy to share more about the broader VC industry, including changing trends, valuation, diligence and key analysis when evaluating a earlier stage company. Given I have a big network in the space (and well plugged into the scene in Austin/Chicago/Charlotte), happy to refer you to others high quality contacts the space that can also help. Look forward to working together!

With over a decade of experience in venture capital and private equity, I have mentored and trained over 500 students, helping them build strong investment skills and land prestigious jobs in top firms. As a Partner at University Growth Fund, I have raised $90M in capital commitments and invested in over 100 high-profile startups, including unicorns like Snap and Spotify. I've also helped coach and mentor several emerging managers get their first fund off the ground. My hands-on approach and robust training programs have consistently helped students land prestigious jobs, earning 120% more on average at graduation than their peers. If you're looking to break into venture capital, elevate your investment acumen, or launch your own fund, let's connect and make a plan together!