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Proby Shandilya

Proby Shandilya

Enterprise software nerd // collector of interesting ideas

New York, New York, United States
proby+1
Joined March 2026
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Network

3.1K connections
🧠
AI & Enterprise Builders
💰
Early-Stage VC Investors
🦁
NYU Stern Entrepreneurs
🌳
Mayfield Fund Network
📊
Sports Analytics Pros
🛠️
Work-Bench Core Team
🦌
Antler VC Network

Summary

Proby is a researcher at Work-Bench, focusing on cutting-edge enterprise software themes such as AI/ML, infrastructure, developer tools, cybersecurity, and enterprise applications. He combines a sharp analytical mindset with prior venture experience to identify signals before they become trends and distill technical complexity into actionable insights for investments. work-bench+2
He is a prolific writer and thinker, evidenced by his two authored books on basketball front-office strategy, 'Surrounding Factors' and 'Surrounding Factors 2.0: Beyond Skillset', and his Substack blog, 'The Latticework: Musings on Mental Models and More'. His writing focuses on interdisciplinary thinking, extracting lessons from various domains, and applying mental models to venture, startups, and company-building. proby+4
Proby has a strong background in venture capital, having worked at several firms including Mayfield Fund, Liberty Global, Antler, Starburst Ventures, and Starburst Aerospace. His experience spans pre-seed to early-stage deeptech, with a focus on identifying and supporting visionary founders and understanding the operating dynamics of successful venture firms. proby+1
His interests lie at the intersection of sports and business, where he applies analytical rigor to understand success factors. His past work includes business analytics for the Houston Rockets and sports analytics research on player valuation. He advocates for cross-pollination of ideas from different disciplines to drive innovation in business. proby

Work

Education

Writing

A Summer on Sand Hill

August 1, 2024

A reflection on learnings from his summer internship at Mayfield Fund, highlighting insights into venture investing, the firm's operating fabric, and the mindset of great investors.

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Surrounding Factors 2.0: Beyond Skillset

January 1, 2021

Focuses on strategies to build, grow, and sustain a winning team, using examples from NBA history. It explores factors beyond player skillsets, such as team DNA, data, and unique innovation, offering a business perspective on sports organizations.

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Surrounding Factors: Explore What Determines The Success Of NBA Greats

January 1, 2018

Analyzes the factors, decisions, and management strategies that drive success for NBA teams.

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Hobbies

An avid coffee drinker, enjoying specific coffee shops in the Bay Area and New York City. proby

A voracious reader, enjoying books such as 'Poor Charlie's Almanack', 'Antifragile', and 'When Breath Becomes Air'. proby+1

Deeply passionate about sports, especially basketball, and has been involved in sports analytics and coaching. proby+1