The Power of A Big, Bold Vision with Kirthiga Reddy Ex-Facebook & SoftBank

TL;DR

Kirtika Reddy shares her journey from working at Facebook in India to joining SoftBank as an investment partner, highlighting the importance of culture, learning, and making bold moves in building successful companies.

Transcript

hi everybody uh this is sanjay swami here welcome again to a new episode of the prime minister partners podcast uh i have with me a very close friend and an amazing uh executive that many of you would have read and heard about kirtika reddy who is probably best known uh to the startup ecosystem for her heartbreaking work that she did at facebook wh... Read More

Key Insights

• 🗯️ Building the right culture and hiring the right people are essential for long-term success.
• 🆘 Understanding the nitty-gritty of different functions helps leaders make informed decisions.
• 💱 The ability to make bold moves and adapt to changes is crucial for staying competitive.
• 👋 Leveraging AI, data, and technology for good can have a transformative impact on industries like healthcare.
• 🥺 Embracing uncertainty and leaning into fears can lead to new opportunities and personal growth.
• 😤 Focus on communication, even at a global scale, to keep teams together and aligned.
• 🧑‍💻 Constantly challenging oneself and embracing learning are paramount for success in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Kirtika Reddy end up working at Facebook?

Kirtika got introduced to Sheryl Sandberg and expressed her desire to be part of building Facebook's operations in India. After exploring various roles, she became the Managing Director of Facebook India and South Asia.

Q: What lessons did Kirtika learn from her time at Facebook?

Building the right culture and hiring the right people are crucial for long-term success. Kirtika also learned the importance of understanding the nitty-gritty of different functions to be effective as a leader.

Q: Why did Kirtika join SoftBank after Facebook?

Kirtika missed the startup ecosystem and wanted to continue building companies. SoftBank's scale, vision, and transformative impact on multiple industries attracted her to join as an investment partner.

Q: What companies did Kirtika work with at SoftBank?

Kirtika managed a portfolio of over $5 billion and invested in enterprise, health tech, frontier tech, and gaming companies. She worked closely with founders, witnessing their transformations and the potential of AI, data, and technology.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Kirtika Reddy grew up in different places in India due to her father's work, which instilled adaptability in her as an adult.

• After finishing her education, she worked at Yashwan Kanika and later moved to the United States for further studies and career opportunities.

• She joined Facebook India as the Managing Director, where she focused on user growth, partnerships, and monetization strategies, achieving remarkable milestones.