Smriti Jayaraman Kekre profile photo

Smriti Jayaraman Kekre

Partner at Corazon Capital

Venture CapitalConsumer TechnologyRetail InnovationStrategic PlanningUnit EconomicsBoard Governance
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About

I'm Smriti Jayaraman Kekre, a Partner at Corazon Capital based in the San Francisco Bay Area. My career has been defined by a journey from management consulting at Bain & Company to leading a $100M corporate venture fund and now investing in early-stage consumer and retail innovation. I am deeply passionate about human-centric technology—specifically how AI and data can transform wellness, sustainability, and the future of commerce. I look for '1 of 1' businesses and 'antifragile' founders who prioritize unit economics and sustainable growth over vanity metrics. Whether it's discussing the 'leapfrog effect' of AI in emerging markets or disrupting childhood nutrition, I aim to be a force multiplier for the teams I partner with. I'm always looking to connect with visionary founders and leaders who are building the next generation of essential technology.

Networking

What I can offer

  • ›Deep domain expertise in retail and consumer tech
  • ›High-touch board-level support
  • ›Strategic GTM execution advice

Looking for

  • ›Visionary founders building antifragile companies
  • ›Leaders in AI, Retail, and Health-Tech sectors
  • ›expanding my professional network
  • ›exploring mutual opportunities in Venture Capital

Best fit for

Early-stage foundersLimited Partners (LPs)Retail executivesTech innovators

Current Interests

Proactive HealthcareSupply Chain AIGeneration Beta trendsChildhood NutritionData as a Strategic Asset

Background

Career

Began in management consulting at Bain & Company, transitioned into business development and impact investing, then moved into venture capital leadership roles at Guild Capital and Evolv Ventures before joining Corazon Capital.

Education

MBA from Harvard Business School; B.S. / B.A. with Honors from University of California, Berkeley.

Achievements

  • ›Led a $100M fund backed by Kraft Heinz at Evolv Ventures
  • ›Early investor/partner in Ruggable, Dr. Squatch, and Home Chef
  • ›Member of the Innovation Advisory Committee for the National Retail Federation
  • ›Regents and Chancellors Scholar at UC Berkeley

Opinions

  • Profitability and sustainable growth must trump vanity valuations
  • Adaptation is a superpower for founders
  • AI should scale access to healthcare and education to close the digital divide
  • Prefers '1 of 1' businesses over startups that are just different ways of skinning the same cat