theculturalconnect.com | Venture Capital Firm VP & Rhodes Scholar Ankur Luthra

Ankur Luthra, Vice President

Venture Capital Firm VP & Rhodes Scholar Ankur Luthra

Undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science from University of California-Berkeley. MBA from Harvard Business school. Rhodes Scholar in Computer Science at Oxford University. While Ankur Luthra's, academic resume is quite versatile and impressive, don’t peg him as someone who is trying to become a jack of all trades. Instead, Ankur believes in finding what you are passionate about and becoming an absolute expert in that area. Following this philosophy, Ankur has focused his entrepreneurial drive in both the private and public business sector. As the Vice President of a large global private equity firm, Ankur leads a deal team which makes investments for the firm. While Ankur’s responsibilities at his Venture Capital firm takes up considerable amount of time, this high achieving manages to also to dedicate time to Computer Literary 4 Kids, the non-profit organization he started while studying at UC Berkeley. With the mission to help underprivileged youth receive computers, hardware, software, and a computer education, CL4K has had a lasting impact on the younger generation. Despite having received tremendous accolades throughout his academic and professional career, Ankur says that CL4K is his greatest accomplishment. Learn more about what the future holds for this one-of-a-kind mastermind by reading this week’s Young & Professional Profile.

Company

A large private equity firm

Name

Ankur Luthra
Vice President

Hometown

San Jose, California

Education

– Harvard Business School (Soros Fellow), MBA;
– Oxford University (Rhodes Scholarship), M.Sc. Computer Science;
– University of California-Berkeley, BS, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science;
– University of California-Berkeley, BS, Business Administration.

Work Experience

My current private equity firm, present
Mayfield Fund
Microsoft Corporation
Summers at Goldman Sachs and the Boston Consulting Group

Ethnicity

North Indian

About your company and your non-profit

I work at a large global private equity firm. Private equity is essentially investing in private companies by buying equity in that company. There are many ways to do so: at the very early stage where the company has nothing more than two founders, an idea, and a garage; all the way to $30 billion mature long-standing companies like HCA. The private equity business is dynamic and, I believe, a critical part of the economy. At my firm in particular, I get a tremendous amount of responsibility and work with smart, driven, fun people in a great culture.

My non-profit is Computer Literacy 4 Kids (www.CL4K.org). I started this while at Berkeley and the mission is to help underprivileged or disabled youth receive computers, hardware, software, and a computer education. CL4K has been one of my life's most rewarding experiences. I also look forward to the work we have planned for the year ahead.

What are your day-to-day responsibilities?

I lead a deal team to make investments for the firm. My responsibilities include: * meeting with company management
* evaluating deal potential
* working with stakeholders to structure an investment
* making presentations to our investment committee
* working with lawyers, accountants, banks, consultants during the course of the deal and diligence
* helping build the financial models
* close the deal and make the investment

In addition to analyzing the company as a whole during the diligence process, we also conduct market, company, and financial analysis. The job is a blend of management consulting, investment banking, and marketing/sales. We think strategically about a company, do a large amount of financial work, and have to sell the company on partnering with us over other private equity funds. After the investment is made, we assist portfolio companies in their strategic and financial growth plans.

What's your niche?

I am proud that I am able to balance my entrepreneurial drive both in the private sector and the public sector at the same time. My friends would say my knowledge of baseball in the 1930s and baseball hall of famers is would add to my claim of being unique!

What's the biggest challenge?

Finding motivated, passionate people in the non-profit world. In my case, I would love to have a new CEO for CL4K and let him/her run with his/her vision, but finding that right driven and focused indivual is challenging!

What are your most notable achievements?

I believe starting and growing CL4K was my greatest accomplishment. Any time you can give back is a great milestone, and I am proud of also being able to give back in a proactive way and a sustainable way. I am also proud of landing my current position as well as my time at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.

Who would you like to be contacted by?

Creative, passionate, driven people who follow their heart and don't lose sight of the bigger picture in life. Those who would like to get involved with CL4K as well.

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Best way to keep a competitive edge

Engage with as many people as possible in discussion that stems past the superficial. Listen to those around you, truly think about and process what they say, especially when you initally disagree with them or want to dismiss what is being said.

Guiding principle in life

Be the change you wish to see in the world. (Mohandas Gandhi)

Yardstick of success

Number of lives you have made better because of your being a part of those lives.

Goal yet to be achieved

Starting a foundation, even if it is a small one, in honor of my parents.

Best practical advice

Instead of trying to focus your career on being a jack of all trades, see what you are truly passionate about and become an absolute expert in that area by reading vigorously, gaining real world experience in the area, and learning from mentors in the field.

Supportive words from a family member on your work

We are proud of you. If only every parent knew how powerful those words are to a child!

What motivated you to get in your line of profession?

I find it incredibly intellectually stimulating to look at a broad range of companies on a daily basis and think critically about those companies and lines of business.

Like best about what you do?

I get to work with great people at a firm with not just an impressive history but an impressive culture.

At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Shortstop for the Oakland A's.

“Work to shrink the gap between who you are and who you could be. And don't forget to thank those who have made an impact in your life.”

Biggest pastimes outside of work

Vintage baseball memorabilia such as team signed baseballs from the 1930s. I think baseball defines America in so many ways and the history of the sport is truly fascinating.

Person most interested in meeting and why?

Nelson Mandela. His courage and heart are absolutely tremendous. His ability to forgive, smile, love, teach, inspire are legendary. I would love to have even a few minutes to talk to him and learn from his teachings and life experiences.

Leader in business most interested in meeting

Warren Buffett. His humility, thoughtfulness, and charity are incredible admirable, and his great success while staying true to his deep integrity is a lesson for all generations.

Three interesting facts about yourself

1. I was dead last, the worst kid in karate class as a chubby 8 year old.
2. I drink 4 or more cups of tea a day.
3. I have a mission to try out every sushi restaurant in the Bay Area. I have been to over 25 so far.

Three characteristics that describe you

1. Loyal
2. Caring
3. Ambitious

Three greatest passions

1. Family
2. Working with entrepreneurial, passionate individuals in the for-profit and non-profit worlds.
3. Playing and watching live sports.

Favorite book

"Complications" by Atul Gawande, tied with "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Favorite cause

The International Rescue Committee (www.theirc.org)

Any words of wisdom you'd like to pass on to our readers?

Don't let anyone ever tell you that your true passions and dreams are not worth pursuing. Surround yourselves by people with huge hearts and moral compasses. Work to shrink the gap between who you are and who you could be. And don't forget to thank those who have made an impact in your life.

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Venture Capital Firm VP & Rhodes Scholar Ankur Luthra

Credits

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