Prashanth joined in 2008 and focuses on consumer, online marketplaces, and SaaS companies. He started his investing career as a co-founder of Erasmic, one of India’s first early-stage funds, and before that, founded two companies in the Internet and multimedia publishing sectors. He’s from Bangalore and graduated from the University of Delaware.
Get to know Prashanth
What was your first job?
My first job was as a software engineer, building user interfaces for simulators that were used to train operators at nuclear power plants. In the early stages of product development, since product management roles didn’t exist, engineers were responsible for both the “how” and the “what” from the user’s perspective. This experience sparked my interest in interface design and user interaction, giving me an early introduction to product management by helping me understand user needs and build products tailored to them.
What's your go-to productivity hack?
Productivity, for me, is all about working smarter and making the most of my time in a field where there’s always more to learn and limited time to do so. I have two go-to productivity hacks:
- I align my day with my body's natural rhythms by coupling cortisol peaks and troughs with my circadian rhythm. This helps me stay mentally sharp and ensures I make the most of my energy and focus throughout the day.
- To learn more efficiently, I use an AI tool like Otter to convert YouTube podcasts into transcripts. This allows me to zero in on the most interesting or important parts of the content, speeding up the learning process without missing valuable insights.
What's the most impactful piece of advice you received?
The most impactful piece of advice I received was from Truman: “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” This has stuck with me over the years and has shaped my approach to work. By embracing this mindset, I’ve been able to focus on doing impactful work that I truly enjoy, while building leverage within the ecosystem without seeking personal recognition. It has allowed me to achieve more by prioritizing collective success over individual credit.
