Shruti Gandhi: A Deep Tech Investor at Array Ventures

Shruti Gandhi is a prominent figure in the venture capital world, serving as a founder and managing partner at Array Ventures, a fund specializing in deep tech, enterprise, and early-stage companies. Her impressive track record boasts 5 exits in the past 3 years to industry giants such as Apple, GoDaddy, McGraw Hill, Samsung, and Brocade, solidifying her reputation as a savvy investor.

She has a diverse background that blends operating and investing experience, having previously held roles as an early-stage venture capital investor at True Ventures and Samsung Electronics.

Shruti's interest in machine learning emerged during her master's thesis at Columbia University, where she focused on understanding user behavior on instant messaging platforms.

Her expertise extends to self-learning algorithms, evident in her work at IBM, where she developed algorithms that detected user location based on IP addresses, ultimately incorporated into the Lotus Sametime product.

She later founded Penseev, a company that aimed to improve user connections through social data analysis.

Array Ventures: Empowering Founders

Array Ventures, the fund Shruti co-founded, has a clear mission: to empower founders tackling significant challenges. This mission is evident in their investment focus on companies leveraging deep technology to accelerate the enterprise sales cycle.

Shruti emphasizes the importance of technology designed for the "New World of Work," a testament to the fund's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the evolving business landscape.

A Glimpse into Shruti's Investment Philosophy

Shruti's approach to investing is shaped by her belief in the power of curiosity, creativity, and tenacity, qualities she deems essential for great leaders. She seeks out companies that align with her vision of a better future, asking herself a crucial question: "Do I want to live in the world this company wants to create?"

She believes in the transformative potential of cryptocurrency, stating that it will disrupt numerous large industries.

Shruti's Advice for Founders

For aspiring entrepreneurs seeking investment, Shruti offers valuable advice. She stresses the importance of selecting investors who can amplify their efforts, asking: "Will this investor help me achieve 10x more than I could on my own?"

Shruti's perspective on the CEO role is insightful, viewing it as a sales position, emphasizing the importance of clear deliverables, a defined mission, and consistent values.

Shruti Gandhi: A Role Model for Women in Technology

Shruti's journey as a successful investor and entrepreneur serves as an inspiration for aspiring women in the technology industry. She champions the inner drive that motivates women to excel, recognizing the potential within each individual.

Her advice for founders is simple yet impactful: "At the end of the day, CEO is really a sales job," highlighting the crucial role of communication and persuasion in leading a startup.

In Conclusion