The EVCA leadership is dedicated to building community across and empowering the next generation of venture capitalists through an array of activities—from hosting events, knowledge sharing, and connecting others. This EVCA Leadership Spotlight Series is intended to help the broader community get to know what's going on behind the scenes at the EVCA, as well as highlight the valuable contributions of those individuals who make the EVCA possible. Accordingly, it's a great privilege for us to announce this EVCA Leadership Spotlight on our very own EVCA Supply Chain Vertical Lead, Natan Reddy of Ironspring Ventures.
Natan Reddy is on the investment team at Ironspring Ventures, where he sources, conducts diligence, and invests in startups upending supply chain, logistics, construction, manufacturing, and more. Previously, he led data-driven analysis and research on supply chain innovation at CB Insights in New York City. His work has been cited in The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, NBC, TechCrunch, CNN, Forbes, Quartz, The Los Angeles Times, and more. Earlier in his career, Natan worked as a business valuation senior associate at Andersen in San Francisco. Natan is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley (BA Economics).
EVCA: Could you explain more about what you do in your role as Supply Chain Vertical lead at EVCA?
Natan: Over the past several years, both at CB Insights and now at Ironspring Ventures, I had the opportunity to take a deep dive into the supply chain innovation ecosystem. Through that experience, I began to understand the critical importance that digital supply chain transformation across all sectors (retail, food, healthcare, heavy industry, and more). As the phrase “supply chain” spreads into our vernacular and across the media in a post-pandemic world, it is becoming an increasingly clear how many venture capitalists are now focusing their attention toward supply chain innovation.
In my role as EVCA Supply Chain Vertical Lead, I hope to provide greater access to valuable information and shine some visibility around the community of investors within our network who are interested in learning about supply chain. Stay on the lookout for in-person get togethers, supply chain-focused virtual panels, and a Supply Chain 101 Intelligence Repository in 2022!
EVCA: What made you interested in taking a leadership role at EVCA?
Natan: I learned about EVCA from my partners at Ironspring Ventures, and it immediately became a great resource for me as I looked to meet fellow investors in NYC (where I am based) and around the country. When I realized that there was no Vertical Lead yet covering supply chain as a broader topic, I immediately felt this would be a great opportunity to share my excitement for the space with the rest of the EVCA community.
EVCA: What is your most contrarian view on an existing or emerging technology trend?
Natan: While not entirely contrarian, there is quite a bit of pushback regarding the utility and necessity for blockchain technology within the greater supply chain arena. In all fairness, there are quite a few obstacles surrounding standardization, interoperability, trust among competing supply chain players, and more when it comes to near term adoption. In addition, as many old line industries are just beginning the process of basic digitization (i.e. moving away from fax and phones), blockchain often represents a step too far too quickly. Nevertheless, once some of these obstacles are tackled successfully (TBD on that timeline), I am very bullish on blockchain’s future given its ability to provide greater trust, transparency, security, and efficiency (all very pressing issues) to the global trade arena.
Interested in taking on an EVCA leadership role? The EVCA leadership is dedicated to empowering the next generation of VCs through an array of activities—running 40+ channels on from hosting events, knowledge sharing, and connecting others. If interested in pursuing an EVCA leadership role, click here.
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