Have You Met…Ven Raju

Q: Where did you grow up?

A: Outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

Q: How did you hear about Innovation Works?

A: As one of the most active seed stage investors in the country, IW has a strong reputation amongst the investor class in the region and beyond.

Q: What drew you to work here?

A: The breadth and depth of our offerings which include nationally ranked accelerator programs, robust seed stage investment platform and a host of support faculties that help entrepreneurs when they need it the most.

Q: What is one thing that you find exciting about moving to Pittsburgh?

A: Pittsburgh’s transformation from an industrial powerhouse to a 21st century technology hub is a testament to the region’s incredible talent, world renowned research institutions and a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. I am very excited about moving to Pittsburgh and being a part of that ecosystem at a time when the region is solidifying its position as a place where world class companies originate and thrive.

Q: What is the last book that you read?

A: What It Takes — Stephen A. Schwarzman

Q: Step back to Ven at age 18, what line of work had you envisioned for yourself? How closely aligned is your current work to that vision?

A: At age 18, I had envisioned being a lawyer. At the time I don’t think I had the slightest understanding of what it meant to be a lawyer, but the notion of being an advocate for the underdog is still very much aligned with the work I do today. I think of the entrepreneur as the quintessential underdog and through resourcefulness, grit and determination as one who ultimately prevails. I feel privileged to play a small role in supporting and advocating for the entrepreneur in my work as an investor.

Q: What issues that face our region are you most passionate about?

A: Increasing access/availability of capital particularly indigenous capital so that local entrepreneurs have the resources they need to build and grow their companies in the region.

Q: Tell us about your volunteer work.

A. Carolyn (my wife) and I are partial to children’s causes and volunteer/support children’s hospitals in the New York and Philadelphia area. I also volunteer as a mentor and interviewer for my alma mater — Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

We look forward to finding volunteer opportunities in Pittsburgh.

Q: What does an average Saturday look like for you?

A: Spending time with our two little girls. They drive the Saturday agenda.

Q: When asked for a ‘fun fact’ about yourself, what’s your go-to?

A: I studied and lived in the UK for several years.

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