Q&A with Gursh Mendhir, Principal – Innovation @ True

Hi Gursh! Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us today! Firstly, please introduce yourself to the Women of Silicon Roundabout community!

Hi, I’m Gursh! My background is a blend of strategy, innovation, venturing and product. I spent the first few years of my career in both Strategy and Venturing at Deloitte, and then founded Virgin Media O2’s digital innovation department. This gave me a great strategic and operational foundation for my current position as a Principal at True.

True is a specialist consumer investment and advisory firm operating at the nexus of private equity, venture capital and innovation. Our advisory team is perfectly positioned to help the world’s biggest consumer companies navigate uncertain times whilst also understanding, planning for and creating the future. Our unparalleled vantage point on the future of the industry is enabled through our investment arm, which invests in the biggest trends and shifts of our time. This deal flow lends our innovation team a practical operator mindset, investment rigour and filtered access to the most promising emerging technologies. I believe in the power of innovation in unleashing the potential of new emerging technologies by bringing them to market in the best way possible; True is a perfect example of this.

I am a lifelong learner with varied interests, including the piano, art, psychology and wellbeing. When not working, I will most likely be eating at a new restaurant, working said restaurant meal off at a fitness class, or hiking somewhere greener than Zone 1.

What are you looking forward to at Women of Silicon Roundabout?

I’m really looking forward to meeting like-minded and inspiring women, who might have a new or different perspective on relevant topics. I am excited to meet women from different types of companies – startups, scaleups and corporates – who will all have unique stories to share.

What can attendees expect from your session?

Expect to come away feeling hopeful and inspired about the future of your company, as it relates to sustainability. There’s a huge role for technology and innovation to play in solving one of the biggest problems faced by humanity today. I’ll be sharing how we can make that a reality using the consumer sector, specifically fashion, as a very relatable example.

When you think about our theme for 2023, The New Frontier, what excites you about the future in tech, business and/or leadership?

We’re at a point in time where we can quickly and widely share new ideas and technologies. I think there’s lots of potential to harness fresh knowledge and emerging technologies to improve outcomes in our personal and professional lives and for society as a whole. I’m particularly curious about AI & data analytics giving us evermore information about how we’re living – our sleep, our diets, our movement, our moods and energy. I think we might see some considerable lifestyle shifts and transformative, useful consumer products as a result.

What would you say to your younger self about pursuing a career in tech and the future of women in tech?

Pave the path that’s not been trodden – it’s more fun that way! The future for women in tech is brighter than yesterday, but it won’t be easy, so be prepared to take up room, speak up and be bold.

What do you see as the biggest challenge currently facing women in technology?

It’s not big news that there’s a lack of representation of women in technology, especially in leadership and technical positions. The biggest structural challenge that I think this results in is a lack of female role models to look up to and to get advice from – specifically on how to succeed, progress, advocate for themselves and solve day-to-day challenges. On the flip side, a lack of female role models can present an opportunity for women in male-dominated industries to pave the way, which some women may lean into more naturally or keenly than others.

Women of Silicon Roundabout is built on community; what advice would you give to our attendees on building your network and furthering your presence?

Find many types of people who inspire you, who do different things from each other and therefore expose you to different perspectives. Don’t be afraid to reach out first, be interested by asking good questions, and come with something that’s helpful to the other person. Most importantly, be yourself.

Join Gursh Mendhir for her session “The New Frontier: Harnessing Tech and Innovation for a Brighter, Sustainable Future”at Women of Silicon Roundabout on 22-23 November. Register for your place now here!