Meet the NYC Venture Capital Internship Alumni: Anushka Khetawwat

Growing up in New Delhi, I watched my father build his startup from the ground up, experiencing firsthand the excitement, uncertainty, and resilience required to turn an idea into a company. His journey made me fall in love with both startups and the people behind them, planting the seeds for my own career aspirations in venture capital.

Now, as a rising senior studying economics at Barnard College of Columbia University, I'm living that dream through the NYC VC Internship Program at Thomson Reuters Ventures. TRV focuses on early-stage companies across the legal tech, tax and accounting, fintech, risk, fraud, and compliance sectors, as well as news and media.

As one of two interns working alongside a team of seasoned professionals, I'm getting unprecedented exposure to real venture capital work. My days are dynamic and varied; I spend time creating detailed company briefs, analyzing startups and their founders, supporting deal sourcing efforts, and conducting market research. I also contribute to conference preparation, portfolio company reporting, and content strategy initiatives that help the team expand its reach to younger founders.

One particularly exciting aspect is getting exposure to TRV's advanced AI tools built specifically for investment analysis, which are reshaping how VCs evaluate opportunities. Every project teaches me something new about the intersection of technology, business strategy, and investment decision-making. What makes each day special is the team and the opportunity to participate in investment committee meetings, team discussions, and networking events that expose me to high-level strategic thinking. Through these experiences, I'm learning to evaluate not just the numbers, but also the people and stories behind each investment opportunity.

While venture capital isn't a women-dominated field, I've been incredibly fortunate to find amazing mentors who are changing that narrative. My managing director, Tamara Steffens, has been instrumental in showing me what leadership looks like in VC, while the women at Supermomos who helped create this program, along with the other women in my cohort, have created a supportive network that proves how powerful female representation can be in this industry. These mentors aren't just teaching me about investing, they're showing me how to navigate and succeed in spaces where women have historically been underrepresented.

The skills I'm developing build on experiences I've had navigating uncertainty. During my Laidlaw research on New Delhi's street food vendors last summer, I learned how to make decisions with incomplete information when vendors were hesitant to share financial details. I had to pivot my approach, build trust, and rely on observable indicators to draw meaningful conclusions. This experience translates directly to venture capital, where assessing early-stage companies often means spotting potential when the full picture isn't clear.

My dream is to continue building a career in venture capital, and this internship is the perfect launchpad. Ever since my first visit to New York City, I knew this was where I wanted to spend my career - the energy, diversity, and endless opportunities align perfectly with my ambitions. This program is giving me exactly what I need: hands-on experience with deal sourcing and due diligence, direct mentorship from leading VCs, and the chance to contribute fresh insights to a dynamic firm.

To NYC students considering this program: take the leap. Don't let imposter syndrome hold you back, whether you're from a non-target school, an international background, or an unconventional major. This program values diverse perspectives and fresh thinking. Come prepared with curiosity, an analytical mindset, and a genuine passion for startups. The opportunities here are transformative, and your unique perspective is exactly what the industry needs. The NYC VC Internship Program isn't just opening doors, it's building the foundation for the next generation of diverse investors who will shape the future of innovation.