Ignite VC: Google, Startups, and the Art of Venture Capital with Manish Patel of Nava Ventures

Episode 95 of the Ignite Podcast

In this episode of the Ignite podcast, venture capitalist Manish Patel shared his journey from being a product manager at Google to becoming a successful venture investor at Nava Ventures. The conversation between Patel and host Brian Bell provided a treasure trove of insights into the world of venture capital, the evolution of Silicon Valley, and the critical lessons Patel learned from his time at one of the world’s most influential tech companies. For those who may not have the time to listen to the full episode, here are some of the key takeaways from their discussion.

From Accidental VC to Silicon Valley Insider

Manish Patel’s path to venture capital was anything but traditional. Describing himself as an “accidental venture capitalist,” Patel initially set out on a different career trajectory. Like many in Silicon Valley, his journey began at Google, where he worked on pivotal projects such as AdWords, AdSense, and Google TV. These experiences were foundational, exposing him to the fast-paced world of tech product development and the importance of timing in the market.