Kirill Kozhevnikov, Partner
Partner
Kirill joined the team in November 2018 as an on-the-ground Partner of RTP Global in India.
Before RTP Global Kirill was an MD and Partner at the Indian VC fund of a Russian conglomerate. He has co-developed the investment thesis of the fund, launched its operations in late 2015, led and completed 5 out of the fund’s 10 investments in 2016-2018, and served as Board Member in Indian and Singaporean companies. Prior to that for 5 years he was managing multiple VC deals in Russia as a Venture Partner at the European fund, and as a Chief Investment Officer at a sovereign nanotechnology fund. Kirill started his career with 2 years in the Big Four company and moved to investment banking where he was doing M&A deals and corporate finance advisory for 7 years. Kirill has a Master’s degree in Engineering and Economics from Moscow Aviation Institute and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
In June 2019 Kirill started the Kauffman Fellowship, one of the world’s premier innovation, leadership, and venture capital-focused programs, and is a member of Class 24.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of the job you do?
For any venture capitalist that should be top-quartile realized metrics – TVPI, DPI, net IRR. But for me, the truly rewarding thing is working in an environment of such constant entrepreneurial innovation and creativity, among the energy and spark of our founding teams. It’s a place where you never stop learning.
What’s the most challenging aspect of the job you do?
Saying no and passing on the investment opportunities. And doing a VC job means doing that a lot… We try to be very clear, specific and honest when providing feedback.
What does a typical working day look like?
A lot of meetings and calls, a lot of reading too. I love the days when I’m on-site and/or making diligence visits.
What expertise do you bring to the founders you engage with?
Network/connections, feedback (as a customer, as an investor, as an ex-consultant/investment banker, as an engineer by education), tech trends, and benchmarks sharing.
What business sectors are you most interested in?
Consumer (because I am a consumer), Healthcare (because I am health conscious), EduTech (because life is about continual learning), Enterprise Software (because of my first VC investment). And a number of verticals: IoT, ML/AI, VR/AR (because all of those are the future).
What’s the best piece of business advice you have ever been given?
Patience, tolerance, and long-term commitment to everything you consider important.
What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
I love active tourism with family and friends, winter and water board sports, and basketball.