
Katya E.
5.0
(9)
1,305 min coaching
Stanford MBA & VC | Former McKinsey | Break into VC | Int'l Students

Studied at Stanford Graduate School of Business
Works at BGV
Available Sunday at 4:00 PM UTC
Usually responds within 3 hours
Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.
Katya's Coaching Offerings

Land a Top Venture Capital Offer: Start-to-Finish
Expert help on everything from getting the interview to landing the offer.
Starting at $65010h+ of coaching

Advance Your Career in VC
Expert coaching to elevate your skills and achieve your VC goals.
Starting at $65010h+ of coaching
Custom hourly
Get help with Skill Building, Venture Capital Strategy, and .
Katya’s Venture Capital Qualifications
Experience level: Senior Associate
10+ people coached for Venture Capital
Hello and welcome to my profile! I'm a Stanford MBA graduate and currently work as a venture capitalist. My journey into VC was anything but typical—in fact, the closest preparation I had was my experience at McKinsey in the U.S. I'm passionate about helping aspiring MBA students navigate the admissions process and map out a strong career trajectory even before starting their program. As someone who had never been to the U.S. before pursuing my MBA, I particularly enjoy supporting international students and explorers of paths like management consulting, and venture capital. Spoiler alert: If you’re aiming for venture capital, it’s definitely one of the tougher roads—but with the right strategy and preparation, it’s entirely achievable. Let’s work together to unlock your potential and set you on the path to success!
Katya can help with:
Skill Building
Venture Capital Strategy
LinkedIn Review
Cover Letters
Resume Review
Networking Strategy
Salary Negotiation
Technical Interview Prep
Behavioral Interview Prep
About Katya
I’m a VC investor at BGV, an early-stage fund focused on Enterprise AI. My path into venture was far from conventional — I built an international career before moving to the U.S. for my MBA at Stanford, where I navigated the challenging journey of breaking into VC full-time. As a coach, I work with individuals who are serious about making this leap — and are ready to put in the work. Here’s how I help: - Strategize practical, creative ways to break into venture — even if you’re getting rejected or feel stuck. - Revamp your resume to stand out in a highly specific, competitive job market. - Think through whether you need an MBA, startup experience, or another route to make the transition. - Prepare for interviews, especially technical cases like market mapping, NRR cohort analysis, or building a thesis. - Develop and refine investment theses, and review deal memos or startup pitches with an investor lens. - Offer guidance on how to succeed once you land the role — not just get the offer. - Occasionally, I share relevant job postings or make intros within my network when appropriate. Whether you're pre-MBA, post-MBA, or exploring a transition from operating, I've helped others like you land VC roles — and I'm here to help you do the same.
Why do I coach?
Breaking into VC is hard — and lonely. I had a coach who helped me stay motivated, sharpen my pitch, and keep going through rejection. It made all the difference. I coach because I’ve been there. I know how much it matters to have someone in your corner who understands the process, helps you avoid common mistakes, and keeps you accountable. I also wish something like Leland had existed back when I was recruiting — and that it had been more accessible. So now, I’m paying it forward.
Work Experience

Board Observer
Covu
January 2024 - Present

Advisor
Unlock Real Estate
September 2023 - Present
Associate / Senior Associate
BGV
July 2023 - Present
Venture Capital Investor in Early-Stage Enterprise Software Startups anchored in Silicon Valley. If you are building in the B2B SaaS space, feel free to reach out at katya [@] bgv.vc Business-to-Business (B2B), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and +3 skills

Associate / Senior Associate
McKinsey & Company
June 2022 - September 2022
PE/ due diligence Due Diligence, Private Equity and +2 skills

Senior Business Analyst
McKinsey & Company
April 2019 - September 2021
Business Strategy, Operations Management and +1 skill
Education

Stanford Graduate School of Business
Master of Business Administration - MBA, Business Administration and Management, General
2021 - 2023
Admissions Committee Experience
Activities and societies: Stanford Women on Boards, Cardinal Ventures Clubs: Venture Capital, Entrepreneurship, Private Equity
9 Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
Knowledge
5.0
Value
5.0
Responsiveness
5.0
Supportiveness
5.0
Katya has helped clients get into these schools:
Katya has helped Leland clients get into Venture Capital