Shirish Sathaye ‘86

General Partner, Cervin

I am an Engineering Leader turned venture capitalist. However, I remain an Engineer at heart and look at all technology investment opportunities with a focus on product and its fit with the market need. I started as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) Design Engineer in 1986 after receiving my M.S. from Virginia Tech, then transformed into a Networking Systems Engineering Manager. Along the way, I got a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie-Mellon, and worked on the Exec Team at two startups which both went public with multi-billion dollar valuations. I then switched into the venture capital industry 20 years ago, which is more of a hobby than a job! I am focused on my work and family. In my spare time, I like to hike, run, read non-fiction books and explore the world.

The work project/initiative I'm most excited about...
the next new startup I am investing in!

How Virginia Tech equipped me for the "real world"...
Virginia Tech taught me how to think independently and be clear in my thought process.

I stay connected with fellow Hokies by...
meeting as many of them as possible, and by being on the Investment Committee of the VA Tech Foundation.

I find the most joy in my work when...
I get to work with smart, driven entrepreneurs who are focused on building great companies.

Top of my bucket list...
to experience as many countries [as I can], their culture and their food.

Words of encouragement to a current Virginia Tech student...
stay focused on your work but remain open to new opportunities and new adventures. Find something you truly enjoy doing all the time!

The biggest pivot in my career thus far...
from an Engineer to an Institutional Investor.

As an investor, I deeply value...
founder grit, vision and passion.

The first startup I co-founded...
Alteon Websystems.

If I had a superpower, it would be...
figuring out complex technology and explaining it in simple terms.