Rashmi Guptey
1st February 2022
Harish Talreja
25th January 2022
Sid Talwar
31st December 2021
Ankit Moorjani
30th June 2021
20th January 2024
Sandeep Murthy
17th March 2022
1st January 2020
20th November 2017
7th June 2022
15th May 2022
17th February 2022
28th November 2023
Prashant Mehta
2nd February 2022
22nd September 2021
30th August 2021
15th March 2022
21st January 2022
14th January 2022
4th October 2024
5th August 2024
25th June 2024
20th December 2023
20th October 2021
25th April 2021
Akshat Jain
12th February 2021
31st May 2020
Tanya Rohatgi
19th August 2024
20th June 2024
Siddhant Ahuja
25th April 2022
14th February 2022
2nd June 2018
5th June 2024
15th February 2024
9th February 2024
26th May 2022
1st February 2024
20th November 2020
Shivani Daiya
20th February 2020
17th August 2014
18th July 2019
17th September 2021
15th September 2021
Maansi Vohra
28th January 2021
Atharva Purandare
10th January 2021
Tanvi Ghate
23rd January 2024
Ahan Rajgor
12th May 2022
8th March 2022
22nd February 2022
22nd August 2024
29th July 2024
5th June 2022
5th May 2022
16th April 2021
15th November 2014
25th October 2021
8th March 2020
7th August 2018
27th December 2016
17th February 2021
29th September 2020
24th September 2020
26th July 2020
20th January 2020
15th October 2018
26th June 2018
13th June 2017
21st May 2024
13th February 2024
15th July 2024
10th April 2024
20th February 2024
It was during the LP week that I realized that Lightbox is a firm and an environment in which even a day or two is enough to change your perspective on company building but more importantly, improve your vision on your own aspirations.
A couple of months ago if you had asked me if I would be in India working at a venture capital firm and gaining exposure to some of the country’s most disruptive startups, I would have probably thought you were crazy. Earlier this year, I remember sitting in the Citi office in New York starting to think about my future given that my analyst program was ending. While I valued my time in investment banking and cherished the mentorship I received, I knew it was time for change but had no idea what the transition would entail. All I knew then was I wanted to learn, be challenged, get out of my comfort zone and immerse myself in an environment where passion was a common theme. Today, I can confidently say I found all of the following at Lightbox and much more.
I will never forget the time Sandeep called me prior to my departure for Bombay. It was a short phone call in which Sandeep explained to me the deliverables I would be in charge of but also told me realistically that eight weeks may not be enough time for me to receive the strong experience he wanted me to have. While I appreciated Sandeep giving me the choice to come or not, my decision had already been made. It was during the LP week that I realized that Lightbox is a firm and an environment in which even a day or two is enough to change your perspective on company building but more importantly, improve your vision on your own aspirations. Therefore, there was no way I was going to miss an opportunity to spend two months with this incredible team. As cheesy as this sounds, I mean it when I say, every day at Lightbox was a blessing for me. Whether it was making green tea in the morning while looking at the garden or laughing together during our team lunches while still managing to have productive discussions, I will miss everyone and everything about Lightbox.
I would be lying if I said I am leaving the same person I came because of the impact Lightbox has had on my life. Prior to Lightbox, working at a venture capital firm for me meant learning more about the fundamentals of company building, and the principles of entrepreneurship while simultaneously being able to bring about meaningful change. Although working a Lightbox has definitely taught me a lot about those aspects, my learnings have gone beyond the scope of my own expectations. Lightbox has taught me the importance of embracing the unstructured and empowering yourself with an ability to think independently. I came into Lightbox as a candidate who was accustomed to deadlines, summaries, and academic research but am leaving as an individual who also recognizes the importance of cultivating your own voice and providing a fresh viewpoint. I have always prided myself on being intellectually curious and inherently driven but Lightbox challenged me to think outside the box even more and meaningfully question with a greater frequency. There are countless times I can recall during my internship when I would be in the middle of a meeting and remain in awe at the pace with which the conversation would switch directions and everyone would feed off of each other’s constructive energy. That’s just the beauty of Lightbox though…it teaches you to never fear change, never settle for convention, and always strive to explore a different path.
On a more personal note, I am different mainly because of the relationships I have made at Lightbox. I am so incredibly touched that in such a short amount of time, all of you welcomed me and made me feel a part of the team…or more accurately I should say, a part of the family. Being a part of Lightbox has taught me that you don’t always have to take yourself so seriously to take your work seriously and that days feel less like work if you truly love what you do.
For those of you who don’t know, the first assignment as part of the interview process Nandita gave me before I spoke to any of the partners was to write a blog on the current state of Indian venture capital and essentially summarize key Lightbox investment themes in a unique way. Given my love for quotes, I decided to title the blog “Quoting the Indian Venture Capital Industry” and begin each paragraph with a quote before deep diving into the selected investment theme. I could go on and on trying to articulate how much this opportunity to work at Lightbox has meant to me but for now, I think it’s best to end my internship the way it began…with a quote. Unfortunately, finding a quote that did justice to this experience was incredibly difficult so I decided to try and come up with one on my own.
“Length of time has no bearing on the impact of an experience. For there are weeks in your life, that can help cultivate your purpose and encourage you to find meaning to a greater extent than several other years combined.”
It may have only been two months at Lightbox, but I am leaving with a lifetime of memories. Thank you, Sandeep, Sid, Prashant and the rest of the team for bringing such light into my life.
Mathematician and magician in equal parts. Now conjuring tricks at Harvard. A quote he lives by: "Magic is believing in yourself, if you can do that, you can make anything happen.
The team has a ‘beginners mindset’ that creates a humbling atmosphere where everyone was constantly willing to learn.
Born in Bombay and fashion-schooled in London, she switched to the other side to build Down to Dash, an activity based network for college students.
They say, we are the people we meet. Lightbox definitely has left a lasting impression on me.
Every bit the New Yorker she is. A Yale graduate, bulletproofed at McKinsey, now in her second year at Harvard Business School. Bedazzled by Bollywood, she spend the summer with us in Mumbai to understand what's next in content and media.
AI in Indian education technology is probably the most advanced in the world. It is challenging traditional western models particularly in integrating effectively with public and private systems in the country.
The phenomenal team, amazing office and interesting, changing work keeps are only a few things on a very long list of why my summer at Lightbox made interns everywhere jealous!
The first thing which comes to my mind about this internship is – Couchez moins bete chaque soir. Sleep a bit more intelligent every night.
Any VC can teach you about the industry. Only Lightbox can teach you passion.
One of the ways you gauge how good a company is how much you miss it after you leave. Somehow everything comes together in an amazing work place – the work, the people and the vibe.
It was an experience I desperately needed to change my outlook towards life. I thought that startups and VCs are mostly about making quick money before things eventually fall apart. At Lightbox, I realized that VCs can also be agents for change that could impact the future of humanity in much more positive way and this way of thinking makes things so inspiring.
Rooms lined only by windows, open gardens, fresh light pouring in. The office itself is a Lightbox! The array of clientele that visited and worked with Lightbox was fascinating. With a portfolio that ranges from mobile apps to solar energy, there really was a story behind the monthly Income statements.
Not yet a high school graduate but eager to make bigger and better things. Now back at school in New Jersey.
Lightbox had a tremendous impact on me. I was slated to attend a Master’s program in the US but due to the experience and frank inputs of the people I worked with and met, I was able to make a more informed and well thought out decision. Today, I am working on my own project, for which, Lightbox deserves credit.
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