Kirthiga Reddy

01 –

What got you started in this field?

I’ve always found something magical about the process of analyzing a problem statement and applying technology to find a new solution. My background is in computer science and engineering. I worked with pioneers like Silicon Graphics, Good Technology (acquired by Motorola), and Phoenix Technologies. I learned the importance of marrying groundbreaking technology with the right business model to build high-growth, sustainable businesses. At Facebook, I joined as their first employee in India. I experienced a country going digital and the transformative impact on people, communities, and businesses. I co-founded a seed fund, F7, with six other female Facebook executives, to enable the next set of transformative companies.

02 –

On a personal level, what motivates you most about your work?

The Vision Fund’s ethos of “Shared Vision, Amplified Ambition” resonates deeply with me. I aspire to build relationships with founders that are rooted in a bold vision, trust, and candor. I hope to leverage my experiences building multi-hundred-million-dollar consumer and enterprise businesses to offer empathy and expertise to incredible founders when they need it. I hope to bring the power of our global ecosystem to help accelerate the trajectory of portfolio companies. Last and certainly not the least, I look forward to having a ton of fun and celebrating milestones along the journey.

03 –

What problems are you trying to solve now?

When businesses succeed, livelihoods flourish. My focus is frontier technologies—artificial intelligence, robotics, health tech, biological engineering, semiconductors, Internet of Things, quantum computing—that will enable the next stage of the information revolution. The potential of quantum computers to efficiently solve problems that are not practically feasible on classical computers; the power of technology to help address societal trends of mental illness and a growing aging population; the inroads that additive manufacturing is making into scaled, end-use parts manufacturing—it’s staggering to think about all the ways the world is changing!

04 –

What inspired you in your early years?

I grew up in a patriarchal society. My mother didn’t finish high school because her parents believed she knew enough math to do the grocery bills and didn’t need to study any further. I am so grateful that my parents thought very differently. I was the first person in my family to travel internationally for post-graduate education. Being accepted to Stanford Graduate School of Business, being the first employee of Facebook India, being the first female investing partner at SoftBank Investment Advisers—dreams can come true. My parents serve as a huge inspiration for me to drive change in K-12 education and foster the next generation of women leaders.

05 –

What do you hope for in your relationships with founders?

It is so energizing to meet with incredible entrepreneurs looking to change the world in different ways. It is energizing to analyze sectoral trends, academic research, business models, and technology innovations and form deep partnerships with entrepreneurs who are positioned to win. The ultimate motivator is seeing potential turn into reality—and the transformative impact it can have on society.