Abhishek Lahoti: From Dropbox to Head of Platform at Highland Europe & how to navigate the US market as a Founder

Abhishek Lahoti: From Dropbox to Head of Platform at Highland Europe & how to navigate the US market as a Founder

Author: JBM, James Mitra February 7, 2024 Duration: 39:08
“This is not necessarily a one-way transaction. Look at fundraising like it’s dating. The VC you’re going to choose, you’ll be stuck with for quite some time, so don’t play games and be honest, the whole way through…”  This week’s 40 Minute Mentor is the brilliant Abhishek Lahoti, Head of Platform at Highland Europe, a growth stage Venture Capital firm based in Geneva and London.  Within his role at Highland Europe, Abhishek’s focus is to build a strong network of advisors and experts to help the portfolio scale at pace.  In today’s episode, we won’t just take a deep dive into the role of Head of Platform, but also discuss Abhishek’s earlier career at Dropbox, how and why he made the move into VC and his advice for Founders navigating this current market.  Episode Chapters: ➡️ The most challenging part of being a VC [1:56] ➡️ Reflections on his years at Dropbox [5:30] ➡️ Moving into VC [8:16] ➡️ Transitioning from Operator to VC [11:17] ➡️ Advice for breaking into the world of VC [12:50] ➡️ A deep dive into the role of Head of Platform [17:45] ➡️ Highland Europe’s investment thesis & portfolio [20:04] ➡️ Treating your investors like dating [21:03] ➡️ Team culture & hiring at Highland Europe [24:21] ➡️ The US vs UK Tech markets [27:07] ➡️ Founder advice for expanding into Europe [31:36] ➡️ The biggest mistakes in fundraising pitches [32:53] ➡️ Waterfall resolutions and the power of networking [34:12] ⛳ Helpful links: ➡️ Connect with Abhishek: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alahoti/  ➡️ Find out more about Highland Europe: https://www.highlandeurope.com/ ➡️ Read the European Expansion Playbook: https://sapphireventures.com/blog/a-startups-guide-for-opening-european-operations/ ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wondered what a conversation with a truly groundbreaking founder or an elite performer actually sounds like? 40 Minute Mentor captures exactly that, offering intimate, structured dialogues designed to unpack the real journeys behind extraordinary success. Hosted by James Mitra, this podcast operates on a simple but powerful premise: profound insight doesn't require hours of your time. Each episode is a focused, forty-minute session with a different leader, from purpose-driven entrepreneurs building unique companies to Olympic athletes who have mastered their craft. The conversations move beyond theory, delving into the pivotal decisions, personal challenges, and practical lessons that have shaped their paths. You'll hear not just about their triumphs, but the resilience required during setbacks, providing a honest look at what building a brilliant career or venture genuinely entails. As one of the UK's prominent business podcasts, it serves as a direct source of mentorship, aiming to elevate ambitions by sharing these powerful career narratives. Tune in for a regular dose of inspiration and actionable wisdom, all within the span of a single commute or workout.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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