Profile banner
Nikhil Basu Trivedi

Nikhil Basu Trivedi

Co-Founder & General Partner at Footwork, early-stage VC investor

nbt
San Francisco Bay Area
Joined January 2025

Network

38.6K connections
💰
Investment Professionals
🤖
AI/ML Leaders
🏃
Tracksuit Team
🧠
ReflexAI Team

Summary

Nikhil Basu Trivedi is a prominent early-stage venture capitalist, currently serving as Co-Founder and General Partner at Footwork, a firm he launched in 2021 with a focus on consumer technology and the consumerization of enterprise tech. His investment portfolio includes notable companies such as Canva, Athelas, Frame.io, and The Farmer's Dog, demonstrating a keen eye for high-growth potential. footwork+2
With a career spanning over a decade in venture capital, including a significant tenure as Managing Director at Shasta Ventures, Nikhil has consistently been involved in identifying and nurturing early-stage companies. His experience prior to Footwork includes roles at Insight Venture Partners and co-founding Artsy, an online art platform, showcasing a blend of entrepreneurial spirit and investment acumen. stanford+1
Educated at Princeton University with an A.B. in Molecular Biology and a certificate in finance, Nikhil also played a crucial role in fostering entrepreneurship on campus as co-president of the Princeton Entrepreneurship Club. This background highlights a unique combination of scientific analytical skills and financial expertise, which he applies to his investment strategies. princeton+1
Nikhil is also an active thought leader in the venture capital space, sharing his perspectives on trends, strategies, and industry dynamics through his Substack newsletter 'next big thing' and various public speaking engagements. substack+1

Work

Education

Hobbies

An avid supporter of Manchester United and Bay Area sports teams, and played cricket in school. stanford

Notes

CHCharles Hudsonsaid they've seen
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
make a significant impact or achieve something exceptional in their professional field.

Mar 20, 2026

CHCharles Hudsonsaid they've seen
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
consistently identify and recruit world-class talent to their teams.

Mar 20, 2026

EDElizabeth Dormansaid that if they had to introduce a founder to a top investor from an Ivy League school, Stanford, Harvard, or MIT,
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
would be on their shortlist.

Mar 15, 2026

SASarah Asaid that if they were raising a Series A round,
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
would be among their top choices as an institutional investor.

Jan 6, 2026

RARaghav Arorasaid
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
is one of the sharpest early-stage angel investors they've seen in climate tech.

Dec 20, 2025

RARaghav Arorasaid
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
has made a meaningful impact in the field of catastrophic bio-risk through their work or writing.

Dec 20, 2025

IGIlian Georgievsaid
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
is one of the top Series A VCs they've seen investing in media or AI startups.

Dec 11, 2025

JSJake Sapersaid that if they were starting a consumer-focused company,
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
would be high on their list of VCs to approach.

Nov 26, 2025

JRJai Relansaid they've seen
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
make a positive impact on startups through their work in venture capital.

Nov 21, 2025

MSMila Sheelinesaid
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
is particularly respected among investors they know for the way they support founders.

Oct 31, 2025

SPStephanie Palmerisaid that if they were looking for introductions to founders about to raise,
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
would be one of their top contacts.

Oct 23, 2025

THTammy Hansaid
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
is someone they'd trust to lead a seed round for a promising startup.

Oct 21, 2025

JSJake Sapersaid they've seen
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
make particularly smart early-stage investments, like being among the first to back Oura.

Oct 8, 2025

GTGarry Tansaid that if they were starting a new company at the idea stage,
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
would be at the top of their list for early investment.

Oct 1, 2025

MKMichael Kimsaid
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
has shown especially sharp judgment in leading pre-seed investments in prosumer AI startups.

Sep 26, 2025

JEJared Erondusaid they've seen
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
help their portfolio companies achieve great outcomes.

Sep 23, 2025

GTGarry Tansaid
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
is one of the most impressive consumer venture investors they've worked with.

Sep 5, 2025

AMAndy McLoughlinsaid
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
is one of the most insightful early-stage investors they know in fashion marketplaces.

Sep 2, 2025

MGMario Gabrielesaid that if they were building a blockchain startup,
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
would be among their top picks for a Series A investor.

Sep 1, 2025

GTGarry Tansaid
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
is one of the most insightful investors they've seen in blockchain technology at the Series A stage.

Aug 30, 2025

RCRachel Coffmansaid
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
stands out to them for their genuine interest in connecting with and supporting people.

Aug 27, 2025

JGJonah Greenbergersaid
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
stands out to them as a particularly impactful founding partner at their VC fund.

Aug 13, 2025

RMReha Mathursaid
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
has played a crucial part in shaping the vision or culture at a pre-seed or seed-stage startup.

Jul 24, 2025

CHCharles Hudsonsaid
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
is one of the most insightful venture capital investors they've worked with.

Jul 18, 2025

AMAnmol Mainisaid that if they were seeking venture capital,
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
would be at the top of their list to approach.

Jul 13, 2025

AMAnmol Mainisaid they've seen
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
provide valuable strategic guidance to early-stage companies, especially in emerging tech sectors.

Jul 13, 2025

RCRachel Coffmansaid
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
is one of the most hands-on and helpful investors they've worked with in consumer or retail-focused startups.

Jul 7, 2025

DGDhruv Ghulatisaid
NBNikhil Basu Trivedi
is both an active VC and angel investor with a special interest in longevity and optimization.

Jun 26, 2025