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At NEA, we back founders that are building businesses for a better future. In that endeavor, we believe the next generation of entrepreneurs, investors, and operators, has something to teach us. That’s why every year we select a diverse group of extraordinary students from universities across the country to join The Fellowship Program. Our fellows work hand-in-hand with our investment team in developing new theses, finding exceptional companies, and supporting our portfolio.
This year, we are welcoming twelve fellows from nine universities:
Albert Zhang is a student at Stanford University in the Class of 2024 studying Symbolic Systems. On campus, Albert is the President of Kudla Fund, Stanford’s largest student investment fund, and Cardinal Ventures, a startup accelerator with alumni having raised >$3Bn in capital. Albert has both startup experience at BeReal, joining at the seed stage, and investing experience at Spectrum Equity. On weekends, Albert enjoys trying new food, running, and watching basketball. As a fellow, Albert is most excited to dive into the infrastructure level of generative AI, vertical software, and marketing/sales software.
Arun Kodumuru is a student at the University of Michigan in the Class of 2026 studying finance and accounting with a minor in math. On campus, Arun is on the Investments Committee of the Michigan Interactive Investments club and is the VP of Education in the Michigan PEVC Club. He has past internship experience at North Rock Capital Management, Lighthaven Capital Management, and Project Destined. On weekends, Arun enjoys watching episodes of The Office and playing online chess. He is most excited to meet new people through the fellowship program.
Hy Nguyen is a student at the University of California, Berkeley in the LSBE business and biology program. On campus, Hy is the founder of TIH, a consulting firm for corporate venture capital (CVC) clients in the VC-as-a-service (VCaaS) capability, where he has worked with leading tech and healthcare companies and investment firms. He also founded and sold a medical device startup that developed a telemedical camera to diagnose eye conditions, founded a tutoring business, and built a personal portfolio of small business franchises, where he was able to buy his parents a house in high school as a FGLI immigrant. On weekends, Hy is often spontaneous but loves exploring new things like making mead or rating restaurants on Beli. Hy especially loves gaming, from MOBAs to poker to idle games. As a fellow at NEA, Hy is most excited to build upon this hobby and explore investments in the gaming space.
Ila Mathur is a student at Stanford University in the Class of 2025 studying management science and engineering and pursuing a master’s in computer science. On campus, Ila is the Co-President of BASES (Business Association of Stanford Entrepreneurial Students), one of the nation’s largest student-run entrepreneurship organizations. Ila has startup experience, having joined Fizz as one of their first employees, and investing experience at Xfund. On weekends, Ila enjoys surfing, exploring art museums, and spending time with family and friends. As a fellow, Ila is most excited to explore the Gen-Z/consumer space and refine her investment framework.
Julia Pepper is a student at New York University in the Class of 2024 studying media studies with minors in business and design. On campus, Julia is involved with the Strategic Venture Society, where she has completed research projects for local VC firms including Crossbeam Ventures and White Star Capital. Julia has built her experience in venture as a research fellow at Inspired Capital and Anthos Capital, and the summer investor track at Dorm Room Fund. She also has startup experience at Gitcoin, a web3 platform that partners with NGOs, corporations and VCs to deliver grants funding to early open-source software and social entrepreneurship projects around the world, and was an intern at Charles Schwab’s Innovation Accelerator. On weekends, she can be found supporting local bookstores in New York City and reading at a new coffee shop. As a fellow, Julia is most excited to continue learning about early-stage venture and exploring her interests in fintech and the intersection of AI and consumer internet.
Max Zang is a student at Northeastern University in the Class of 2024, studying finance and entrepreneurship in the honors business school program. Outside of campus, Max is a managing partner with Rough Draft Ventures—a student-led venture fund investing in early-stage student founders. He has prior startup experience at Snyk and investing experience at OpenView Venture Partners. On weekends, depending on the weather, you can find Max playing golf or skiing, or as of recently, picking up pickleball! Max is a big fan of poker, and you can often find him playing 1/2 NLH. As a fellow, Max is most excited to continue deep diving into all things enterprise software and exploring interest areas such as fintech in emerging markets, the future of work/education, or consumer social.
Morgan Young is a student at the University of Nevada, Reno in the Class of 2024 studying computer science and engineering with minors in mathematics and entrepreneurship. On campus, Morgan is involved with the Honors College, Society of Women Engineers, Association for Computing Machinery, and the Figure Skating Club. Morgan has previously interned at The Walt Disney Company multiple times across technology, product management, and analytics, worked at three startups across AI, EdTech, and blockchain, and has prior venture investing experience with Soma Capital. Outside of her studies and her work, she is a content creator and storyteller, sharing content about early careers, college, and being a Gen Z in the workforce. On weekends, you find Morgan indulging in her childhood passions, including figure skating, dancing, and tumbling. As a fellow, Morgan is most excited to work with NEA portfolio companies, specifically in the fintech and creator economy spaces as well as dive deeper into the AI landscape and startup ecosystem.
Montawan (Nae Nae) Chairatchaneeboon is a student the University of Pennsylvania in the Class of 2025 studying Finance and ESG for Business. On campus, Nae Nae is the Managing Director of Moso Capital, Director of Consulting and Board Member of Wharton Asia Exchange, and a Wharton Impact Venture Associate. Nae Nae has startup experience, having worked at Class Technologies and Pomelo Fashion, and built her investing experience at Vista Equity Partners and Ripple Ventures. She has spent a gap year working at Disrupt Technology Venture, an EdTech VC fund in Southeast Asia, and helped launched Penn GSE’s EdTech accelerator, Catapult. On weekends, Nae Nae enjoys cooking Thai food, café-hopping, and volunteering. As a fellow, Nae Nae is most excited to work with the NEA investment team to identify exceptional AI and EdTech companies.
Paari Thanikachalam is a student at the University of California, Berkeley in the Class of 2025 studying industrial engineering and operations research. On campus, Paari is an Education Chair for Capital Investments at Berkeley and is involved with The Berkeley Group, a pro-bono consulting group. Paari has experience working for software-focused startups across many different functions including product, strategy, and operations. He also has investing experience, having worked at G Squared where he primarily focused on AI/ML and software. In his free time, Paari enjoys wildlife watching, listening to movie scores, and, unfortunately, supporting the Chicago Bears. As a fellow, Paari is most excited to continue exploring and learning about the AI/ML and DevOps ecosystems.
Spencer Nash is a student at Georgetown University in the Class of 2025 studying business and global affairs. On campus, Spencer is a Principal at Georgetown Student Capital Partners and an Investment Analyst at Zeeba Investment Group. Spencer has built his investing experience at Blu Venture Partners, where he focused on B2B SaaS and Cyber, and Beyond the Billion, where he focused on fintech and EdTech. He also has experience advising startups and established enterprises on strategic matters at Franklin Advisory. In his free time, Spencer enjoys playing basketball, looking at the latest sneaker trends, and learning Spanish. As a fellow, Spencer is most excited to explore deeper into how AI can disrupt legacy B2B services.
Tony Yang is a student at the University of Pennsylvania in the Class of 2024 studying finance and statistics. On campus, Tony is a member of the club soccer team, Global Platinum Securities, an intercollegiate student-run investment fund, and a Portfolio Manager for the Wharton Investment and Trading Group. Tony has investing experience at Glade Brook Capital Partners, where he focused on fintech and B2B SaaS investments. On weekends, Tony enjoys going to new coffee shops, skiing, and trail running. As a fellow, Tony is most excited to learn more about DevOps, fintech, and B2B SaaS.
Zaid Fattah is a student at Yale University in the Class of 2025 studying economics. On campus, Zaid is an Investment Partner at Dorm Room Fund. Zaid paved his own path into the world of venture investing – his writings about the space attracted attention from prominent investors and led to opportunities to work at Lattice Capital and Lux Capital. He has also advised and consulted with multiple startups across B2B SaaS, fintech, and crypto. On weekends, Zaid can be found playing fiercely competitive Backgammon games or watching A24 films. As a fellow, Zaid is most excited to dive deeper into unfamiliar verticals and refine his pre-existing investment theses.
