Capital Allocators – Inside the Institutional Investment Industry Mike Smith and Nikhil Basu Trivedi – Footwork Ventures (Manager Meetings, EP.12)
Sep 23, 2021
Beezer Clarkson, a Partner at Sapphire Ventures, joins Mike Smith and Nikhil Basu Trivedi, co-founders of Footwork Ventures. They reveal their innovative approach to early-stage investing, emphasizing personal relationships and operational expertise. The trio discusses the importance of humility and ambition in successful founders, as well as their unique equal partnership model. They also touch on fundraising strategies, the challenges of the competitive landscape, and share personal insights into their habits, from fitness to hobbies, adding depth to their investment philosophy.
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Nikhil's Path to VC
- Nikhil Basu Trivedi was exposed to venture capital at 13 after moving to the Bay Area.
- He started a company in college and later transitioned to the investor side, working at Insight Partners and Shasta Ventures.
First Investments
- Nikhil's first investments at Shasta Ventures included ClassDojo and Canva.
- He participated in ClassDojo's Series A and Canva's seed round.
Mike's Operational Path to VC
- Mike Smith's journey to VC involved operating roles at Walmart.com and Stitch Fix.
- His experience scaling these companies and facing fundraising challenges motivated him to enter venture capital.