Some personal news: after nearly 3 years at Elevation Capital, I've decided to move on.
It's been a privilege to tell the stories of exceptional founders and the institutions they're building. VC storytelling can be really powerful. I've seen firsthand how it inspires other builders, and more importantly, how it gives them a sense of validation and legitimacy. Watching that land has been the most gratifying part of this work.
I don't have anything lined up yet. I'm giving myself the room to figure out what's next, and hope to do something meaningful at the intersection of storytelling, product and AI. You can reach me at krishnavanamali1@gmail.com.
Now, a look back.
I joined Elevation in 2023 in the newly set-up marketing function to lead content. What followed was the steepest learning curve of my career and also the most energizing. I got to work with some of the sharpest minds in the Indian venture ecosystem, across our investment and platform teams. That environment does something to you.
The speed was relentless, but there was always room to follow my curiosity and experiment. Elevation today stands as one of the most active and engaging voices in the Indian VC landscape, and I'd like to think I played a small part in that.
It's been deeply satisfying and rewarding work. Producing 45+ podcast episodes across 4 different IPs, growing a YouTube channel from zero into an authoritative source of founder insights, writing a number of investment and thesis-related blogs, driving original research reports, designing and shipping multiple standalone content properties from scratch, working on the website redesign, and leading the content charter for IPO campaigns of companies like Meesho, Urban Company, Swiggy and ixigo.
But if I had to name the most important thing I'm taking away, it's the fire in the belly. Working at a VC instills a builder mindset in you, whether you intend or not. You're surrounded by founders building at the frontier, watching how the best ones think, decide, and persist. That fire is contagious. I've absorbed it secondhand, and it's mine now.
This chapter shaped how I see the world. Grateful for all of it.
Lastly, a note of gratitude to all of you. This past year, I've received immense love for my writing here, and it still feels surreal that my thoughts and views have reached 3.5 million of you. I've loved the healthy, intellectually stimulating conversations that unfold under my posts. That won't stop. I'll always keep writing.
Onwards.