Meet Kristi – Our new team member

We are excited to announce our newest team member and new Associate, Kristi Kurvits. Prior to joining Tera VC Kristi has been spearheading deal-flow and venture operations in international organizations, including Startupbootcamp and HearstLab. Her passion lies in building bridges within the ecosystem and fostering relationships with investors and startups.

Over the last 4 years, Kristi has gained hands-on experience with 30+ early-stage startups both across different industries and regions, supporting them with their journey to disrupt and challenge their industries.

If anyone finds themselves in Amsterdam or wants to have a conversation, don’t hesitate to reach out – . 

Kristi Q&A:

How did you get into the VC world?

I’ve always been interested in innovation, but I think it really clicked during my Uni. days while taking part in different projects like the Young Leaders and Microsoft Student Partners. Through these organizations, I was exposed to many diverse young leaders, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts. Shortly after I joined an early-stage startup and it seemed like a no-brainer that this is the path I want to pursue, and I have been lucky enough to get the opportunity to gain experience working with amazing founders and established investors. 

Which industries are you most interested in? 

I’m interested in technologies and solutions challenging the status quo, either in sustainability, efficiency, or diversity – solutions shaping the future across the board, from Enterprise Saas to Ed-Tech and everything in between.

What’s your role at Tera?

At Tera, I work on the investment team as an associate, sourcing and identify new prospective investment opportunities, building relations within the ecosystem, and supporting portfolio companies.

You can meet me at different ecosystem events or in Amsterdam, where I’m based. Additionally, you can reach out to me on LinkedIn – I’m more than happy to connect and learn about new ventures.

Are there some foolproof ways to get your attention when a startup wants Tera VC to invest in them? 

I’m always delighted when startups do their due diligence before reaching out and being clear on their WHY, transparent on their progress, and laser-focused on their goals. I’m an avid believer of the saying ”teamwork makes the dream work” so I look forward to meeting the team and seeing the dynamics, expertise, and passion for solving the issue at hand.

Name a recent book or a podcast that really got your attention?

For the last few years, I’ve been actively educating myself on the matter of diversity, Caroline Criado Perez’s ”Invisible Women” is definitely a must-read and I very much enjoyed Matthew Syed’s ”Rebel Ideas” and digging further into the topic of diversity as a critical ingredient driving collective intelligence and success.

What is a non-work passion you have?

I’ve always appreciated a challenge so after trying out rock climbing 8 years ago, I was hooked. Much like the startup world, rock climbing is a bit intimidating at first, you must fall quite a bit before you reach your goal and having a strong and supportive partner is crucial to succeeding.