Tanuja Rajah is a Principal at M Venture Partners, a Singapore-based early-stage VC. Before MVP, she founded LoveSprk and was Launch Manager at Entrepreneur First.

👋🏼 How would you explain your job to someone outside tech?

We look for teams that have that magic combination of smarts and insane drive. Then give them the capital to go build and support them along that journey as best we can.

🧐 What's something about you or your job that would surprise us?

I have a Ph.D. in Immunology. Left science to build a company that can be best described as Airbnb Experiences (before that existed) but for couples! Experiences for two. Clearly, this had absolutely nothing to do with Immunology, but being a founder taught me so much.

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🏆 What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

Switching from working with founders and helping them raise capital from VCs to becoming a VC myself. Now, I'm constantly looking for the right founders to back.

🔍 What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year?‍

Maybe it's the scientist in me, but I'm amazed by how the biotech space is rapidly evolving. Next-generation gene therapies, precision medicine, new drug-delivery methods — we'll definitely see life-changing advancements in these areas. It's exciting stuff!

💼 What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry?

Understand that VC isn't all fun and games. It's not about speaking at conferences or sitting in a hip office to pick companies to invest in. Most of the time, you're trying to help entrepreneurs — help them hire, fundraise, strategize and make new connections.

🗣 What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours?

Anything artsy — I love live theatre & musicals, art shows & dance performances.

🎥 What's your favorite movie/TV show?

Frasier!

🍨 What's your go-to ice cream flavor?‍

Good ol' cookies & cream.