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Sumeet Shah has been in the private equity and venture capital space for more than a decade—his latest gig is in venture partnerships at Clearco, an e-commerce investment firm. (Shah noted the Softbank-backed company has provided $2.6+ billion to more than 6,000 brands in all.) Outside of the office, Shah’s often in the ring, having boxed for the last nine years. He knocked out a little more info on his day to day here.
How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t work in retail? We provide non-dilutive (aka no equity taken) financing to e-commerce startups to help them with marketing inventory management.
What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on? I’m charged with launching, growing, and scaling our NYC—and ultimately East Coast—arm of Clearco, which just started this year. NYC is obviously a major consumer hub, so this is going to be fun.
One emerging retail trend that you’re most excited about: The second wave of AR. The first wave focused on great one-on-one products, where the second one will function around community and user interactivity. The most successful consumer startups and companies learn from—and evolve with—their customers, so AR here has to be non-invasive and a natural, almost human, touch.
Hands down, the best fast food restaurant chain is…Bojangles. Still waiting for them to come to NYC.
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