Ashish Pothireddy

Tl;dr: Introducing Backed — a platform to make finding internships at high-growth companies backed by top VCs/accelerators easier than ever! 💨 As college students, high-growth companies are some of the most exciting places to start our careers — here's why. 🚀 Why Intern at High-Growth Companies? 1. Hands-On Experience & Real Responsibilities 🔧 2. Accelerated Learning Environment 🏎️ 3. Working Directly with Founders/Senior Team Members 👨🏻‍💼 ❌ The Problem: Finding high-quality internships on generic platforms like Linkedin/Handshake is overwhelming. • Generic job platforms are FLOODED with semi-relevant postings 🚨 • While top VCs/accelerators host job boards with amazing internships at high-growth portfolio companies, manually checking each one is tedious and time-consuming ⏳ ✅ The Solution: A single platform aggregating high-quality internships at high-growth companies. 🌟 Features: • Aggregated Postings: 200+ top VC/accelerator job boards 🌐 • Advanced Search & Filtering: By investors, industries, company size, stage, and locations 🔍 • Updated Daily: Ensures fresh opportunities every day 🕒 🛠️ Tech Stack: • Frontend: React.js hosted on Vercel • Backend: Python, hosted on Google Run • Database: PostgreSQL on Neon 💡 What I Learned 1. You'll Never Know Unless You Try 🪂 • Starting is the hardest part, but realizing nothing stopped me from trying was truly pivotal. I never imagined I could build a technical project from scratch, but taking the first step made all the difference. 2. We All Start Somewhere 🧗 • In the early stages, I made plenty of mistakes — like accidentally pushing secret keys to my public GitHub repository. Those humbling moments taught me the importance of self-compassion and the value of continuing to learn and improve. 3. Learning How to Learn 🧠 • I realized that I learn best by doing and building. With the help of modern tools like ChatGPT, V0 by Vercel, and countless YouTube tutorials, I quickly grasped new frameworks and processes by asking countless questions, experimenting, and iterating constantly. ❤️ Special Thanks to Getro & Consider • This passion project wouldn't have been possible without the incredible work of Getro and Consider. Their beautifully designed and user-friendly job boards for VC/PE/Accelerator networks set the gold standard for helping high-growth companies recruit top talent. • To my friends in VC/PE, do reach out to them — they're an invaluable resource for supporting your portfolio companies in their hiring efforts! 📢 Call to Action 1. Share this post with anyone searching for internships or who might benefit from this platform 📤 2. Tag your friends who are looking for high-growth opportunities 📣 3. Shoot me a message — I'd love to hear what you're building & share ideas! 🤝 ✨ Check it out and start exploring opportunities today: https://lnkd.in/eEEa_hD5 ✨ #Internships #JobSearch #CareerOpportunities #CareerGrowth #EntryLevelJobs #Startups #VentureCapital #Entrepreneurship

59

14 Comments

👾 Excited to share my ongoing journey as an MLH Fellowship Summer 2024 Fellow and the incredible experience of working on Chrome DevTools for Meta's Rapid! 👾 As one of the fortunate 2% selected for this fellowship, I've embarked on a journey that has been pushing my boundaries and expanding my horizons. Currently, I'm working on developing a Chrome DevTools extension for Meta’s Rapid, an AI-enhanced editor for OpenStreetMap. 🌍 🔧 The Goal: Build a Chrome DevTools Extension to seamlessly integrate with Rapid. By making development more efficient and debugging more intuitive, we hope to foster a more active developer community around Rapid. 🔍 The Challenge: Developing DevTools for Rapid has proven to be more challenging than I initially thought it would be. From navigating the phasing out of Chrome Manifest V2 to dealing with sparse documentation and incorrect research results, the journey so far has been riddled with obstacles. But each challenge has been an opportunity to learn. 💡 Learning Experience: Throughout this project, I've gained invaluable knowledge about 1) how Rapid works internally to create a more user-friendly and accurate OSM experience, and 2) how Chrome DevTools extensions work, especially on how to derive information from the inspected window for use in the DevTools panel through message passing. 👥 Collaboration: One of the most rewarding aspects of the fellowships so far is the collaboration and mentorship with my amazing maintainer, Ben Clark, and pod leader, Pradyuman Dixit. Ben and Prad have been there to support me whenever I run into roadblocks as I strive to understand and integrate Rapid with a Chrome DevTools extension. 🌟 Key Takeaways (So Far): - Adaptability: Navigating through evolving technologies and documentation challenges is teaching me the importance of staying adaptable. - Open Source: Being part of an open-source project like Meta’s Rapid is an enriching experience, showing the power of community-driven development and the impact of collective effort in creating robust tools. Also, I've found out that it's not scary to ask questions to an open source project maintainer :) Check out the project in progress on GitHub: https://lnkd.in/gv4rip84 Grateful for this experience so far and looking forward to continuing this journey! 🚀💼#MLHFellowship #TechInnovation #OpenStreetMap #DevTools #OpenSource #Collaboration #Meta #Rapid Major League Hacking Meta

43

8 Comments

I just completed 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢'𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 on [Forage ](urn:li:organization:68514998). 𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈: ✔️ Completed a job simulation where acting as a buyside analyst for a hypothetical client, Big Box Retail, who were looking to acquire a small retail company ✔️ Created a company profile for the target ✔️ Developed a five-year financial projection using a simple income statement model in Excel ✔️ Drafted a comparative company analysis or Trading Comps ✔️ Synthesized an investor update into an internal summary report Check out the simulation here: https://lnkd.in/gcmie4yM

61

11 Comments

🌟 Thrilled to Announce My Summer Internship at Goldman Sachs! 🌟 I’m incredibly excited to share that I have been offered a position as a Summer Analyst Intern at Goldman Sachs through the prestigious Engineering Campus Hiring Program (ECHP) 2024 - 2025! This achievement is the result of hard work, persistence, and the unwavering support of my mentors, family, and friends. The journey was far from easy, but every challenge along the way made this moment even more special. The Selection Process : The process was both intense and rewarding, consisting of: 🔹 Aptitude Test — Testing problem-solving, logical reasoning, and quantitative skills. 🔹 Technical Test — Applying concepts of data structures, algorithms, and programming to solve real-world challenges. 🔹 Three Rounds of Interviews — A deep dive into technical concepts, problem-solving, and situational analysis, each round testing my knowledge, adaptability, and communication skills. Each stage pushed me to grow, sharpen my technical skills, and stay persistent even in the face of uncertainty. Looking back, I’m grateful for the journey and the lessons it taught me. ✨ Gratitude & Reflection ✨ This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the constant support and encouragement from my family, friends, mentors, and peers. Thank you for believing in me and being part of my growth. 🚀 What’s Next? 🚀 I’m looking forward to exploring the dynamic intersection of finance and technology at Goldman Sachs, collaborating with industry leaders, and working on impactful projects that challenge and inspire me. To everyone working toward their own goals — stay consistent, trust the process, and never stop learning. Every challenge you face today is shaping you for a bigger opportunity tomorrow. Here’s to new beginnings, new challenges, and endless possibilities! 🚀 #GoldmanSachs #SummerInternship2025 #EngineeringCampusHiringProgram #SoftwareDevelopment #Persistence #Growth #Gratitude #NewBeginnings

3,134

238 Comments

🌟 Thriving in the Bloomberg Trading Challenge: Lessons, Strategy, and Success! 🌟 This past month, I had the privilege of leading a team in the Bloomberg Trading Challenge, and what a ride it has been! 📈✨ Every day was a crash course in the real-world dynamics of portfolio management. From meticulously researching our holdings to rebalancing our portfolio in response to market fluctuations, we worked tirelessly to make informed, strategic decisions. Our efforts paid off—we earned nearly £30,000 in absolute returns, securing a spot in the top 10 within our school in the end ! 💹💪 This wasn’t just about numbers; it was a testament to teamwork, resilience, and adaptability in navigating the ever-changing financial landscape. We faced our fair share of challenges—uncertain market conditions, high-pressure decision-making, and the need to pivot quickly. But these trials taught me the true value of collaboration, critical thinking, and staying proactive. This experience has been nothing short of transformative, deepening my understanding of investment strategy, risk management, and the importance of staying ahead in a competitive environment. I’m immensely proud of what we achieved as a team and excited to carry these lessons forward. 🚀 #Finance #PortfolioManagement #BloombergTradingChallenge #Leadership #Growth #InvestmentStrategy

22

4 Comments

🎉 Excited to share that I have successfully completed JPMorgan Chase's Investment Banking Virtual Experience on Forage! 🚀 This immersive program allowed me to deepen my understanding of M&A strategies and financial modeling. During the simulation, I: 🔹 Identified an ideal M&A target for a client by analyzing their strategic and financial criteria. 🔹 Built a DCF model to value the target company, adjusting for competitor bids and supply chain disruptions. 🔹 Prepared a 2-page client report, including a company profile and summary of the auction process. This experience has been an incredible opportunity to refine my skills in valuation, financial analysis, and client presentation. Looking forward to applying these insights in real-world scenarios! 💼✨ #InvestmentBanking #MergersAndAcquisitions #FinancialModeling #ProfessionalDevelopment #JPMorganChase #Forage

37

10 Comments

This post got a lot more comments & engagement then I would have imagined. One thing is clear to me, the recruiting, interview, and job hunting process are all broken. Lots of good, but a ton of things we can make more efficient. From the job hunting side, everyone should have an agent. In the world of AI, an AI agent that helps you hunt for jobs, apply for jobs, prepare for interviews, and negotiate your pay package. From the job recruiting side, we should have better tools, and an easier way to find the right candidates no matter what their backgrounds are. Ribbon has started this process with Recruit AI and their phone screening product I think is a real game changer. Make phone screens more efficient for both sides of the interview process. Give the hiring team a transcript, summary, insights, and allow the candidates to do their phone screen on their time. 24/7! If you are hiring, it's worth take 15-20mins and doing a demo with Dave Vu. If you are investing in and around application layer AI, check out what the team has Ribbon has done over the last 18 months. Lots of product 🚢 & a strong team based in Toronto.

20

1 Comment

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 I am thrilled to share that I have officially earned my CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) certification! 📈📊 I look forward to applying these insights to my work and continuing to grow in the investment industry! #CFA #CharteredFinancialAnalyst #Finance #Investment #ProfessionalDevelopment

8

4 Comments

🎉 Thrilled to Share My Journey in the Netflix Capstone Project! 🚀 I’m excited to share the incredible experience I had working on the Capstone Project for Netflix as part of the Product Space Fellowship! Alongside my amazing teammates, Kayleigh Ziegler, Annu Singh, and Ayush Kumar, we tackled the challenge of enhancing Netflix's user experience to boost subscriber retention and attract new users. Our team dug deep into user insights, conducting around 50 interviews with current Netflix users to uncover pain points and opportunities. Here’s what we focused on: 📺 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: We developed a more tailored content discovery experience to keep users engaged and returning to the platform. 🎮 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 & 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: We proposed introducing more interactive content and gamification features to make Netflix more than just a viewing platform, but an engaging, dynamic experience. 📈 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀: Our solutions included leveraging real-time data analytics to offer users recommendations that align perfectly with their current mood and preferences. 🔄 𝗙𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝘀: Understanding that different users have different needs, we suggested flexible subscription plans that could cater to diverse user groups, enhancing satisfaction and loyalty. This journey was challenging yet rewarding, filled with collaboration, creativity, and a drive to innovate. While we didn’t secure the top spot, the learnings and experience we gained were invaluable. A huge shoutout to Akhil Yash Tiwari and the entire Product Space team for their mentorship and support throughout this project. Their guidance was crucial in shaping our approach and refining our solutions. Would love to hear your thoughts—especially if you’re a Netflix user! What features would you love to see on the platform? Let’s discuss in the comments below! #ProductManagement #Innovation #Teamwork #CapstoneProject #Achievement #Learnings #Product #Netflix

49

4 Comments

One month ago, I embarked on my first professional journey by relocating to a new city for my Summer Internship at Realtime (RTAF). This experience has been nothing short of transformative, both personally and professionally. As an intern, I was entrusted with significant responsibilities, including orchestrating investor onboarding, delving into fund operations, and meticulously analyzing startup pitches. These tasks allowed me to develop a comprehensive understanding of the angel investing landscape and sharpen my skills in investment analysis and decision-making. Moving to an unfamiliar place was a daunting challenge, especially considering it was my first work experience. There were days when the thought of giving up and going back home crossed my mind. However, I chose to persevere, driven by my dedication to professional and personal development. This journey taught me the value of resilience, adaptability, and the courage to face uncertainty head-on. My time at Real Time Angel Fund has equipped me with the essential skills to thrive in this VUCA world. I am eager to leverage these newfound skills and insights to navigate and thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of Finance and Venture Capital. #Internship #RealTimeAngelFund #AngelInvesting #VentureCapital #Finance #Leadership #StartupEcosystem #ProfessionalGrowth #CareerDevelopment #Resilience #Innovation #IndiaStartups #VUCAWorld

31

5 Comments

I just completed Citi's Investment Banking on @[Forage](urn:li:organization:68514998). In the simulation I: * Completed a job simulation where acting as a buyside analyst for a hypothetical client, Big Box Retail, who were looking to acquire a small retail company * Created a company profile for the target * Developed a five-year financial projection using a simple income statement model in Excel * Drafted a comparative company analysis * Synthesized an investor update into an internal summary report Check out the simulation here: https://lnkd.in/dtgh7mc9

53

8 Comments

Excited to share that I just completed JPMorgan Chase's Investment Banking Job Simulation Program on Forage. In the simulation I:  * Identified an ideal M&A target for a client based on an assessment of their strategic and financial criteria.  * Constructed a DCF model to calculate the valuation of the M&A target and adjusted the model to account for competitor bid and supply chain interruption.  * Created a 2-pager for the client containing a company profile and summary of the auction process.

31

4 Comments

I just completed JPMorgan Chase's Investment Banking on Forage. In the simulation I: - Conducted a thorough evaluation of strategic and financial factors to identify an optimal M&A target for the client. - Developed a comprehensive DCF model to determine the target's valuation, incorporating adjustments for competitor bids and potential supply chain disruptions. - Compiled a detailed 2-page document for the client, featuring a company profile and an overview of the auction process.

30

1 Comment

This past weekend, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in HackUTD 2024 Ripple Effect, the largest 24-hour hackathon in North America, which hosted over 1,400 participants. Our team took on the Goldman Sachs Challenge, which focused on addressing financial inequities by creating an app for individuals who don’t have access to traditional banking systems.  Armed with caffeine and determination, we dove into 24 hours of intense coding, brainstorming, and problem-solving to bring our vision to life. The result? An innovative app - BRIDGE - is designed to empower users with access to financial tools and resources without needing a traditional bank.  Our Tech Stack:  We built the frontend using React Native, Tailwind, and CSS, which gave the app a clean, modern, and highly intuitive user interface. On the backend, we utilized Flask and integrated Cohere for advanced natural language processing. These technologies allowed us to build the app from scratch while ensuring scalability, functionality, and an incredible user experience.  About the App :  1. Micro-Savings Features: Users can set savings goals and track progress, even with minimal amounts. Along with access to graphs of the top 5 low-risk stocks and bonds through Yahoo Finance API.   2. Budgeting Tools: Simple yet effective tools to manage expenses and avoid financial pitfalls. Including an irregular expense and income tracker with grouping features, tax calculators, and net worth calculators. 3. Financial Education: A built-in chatbot powered by Cohere using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to provide users with personalized financial advice and answers to common money-related questions.  4. Our Piggy Bank Mascot Fundee bridging you to financial freedom via our app. The Hackathon Experience:   HackUTD was an unforgettable whirlwind. Coding for 24 hours straight, fueled by passion and pure grit, we faced the challenge head-on. From ideating our app’s purpose to debugging last-minute errors just minutes before the deadline, every second was a mix of chaos and excitement.  Key Takeaways: - Collaboration is key. Our diverse team brought unique skills and perspectives, making the app richer in functionality and design.   - Resilience pays off. Working non-stop for 24 hours wasn’t easy, but the satisfaction of creating something impactful made it worth every sleepless moment.   - Tech has the power to drive change. This app may have started as a hackathon project, but the problem it addresses is real. HackUTD isn’t just a competition; it’s a community of innovators working together to solve real-world problems. I’m incredibly proud of our accomplishments and grateful for the opportunity to learn, create, and make a difference. Special thanks to HackUTD, ACM UTD, and The University of Texas at Dallas for providing us with the platform. Shououts to my teammates: Lerich Osay, Haris Kadar, and Ayro Escobar.    Here’s to more hackathons and building solutions!

117

9 Comments

Just wrapped up Bank of America's Investment Banking simulation on Forage! Put my skills to the test by conducting a comprehensive M&A (Mergers and Acquisitions) analysis, from identifying strategic targets to building a DCF (Discounted Cash Flow) model. #InvestmentBanking #M&A #Forage #SkillDevelopment #CareerGoals

6