TheBridge profile: Tanveer Kathawalla

Name: Tanveer Kathawalla

Current city: Alexandria, VA

Current job: Managing Partner at Pioneer1890; Venture Partner at NextGen Venture Partners

Past job: CFO/COO for Analytical Space

Q. Favorite spot for a coffee meeting? Misha’s Coffee, in Old Town Alexandria

Q. Describe how a skill you learned in a previous job helped you in your current job. The importance of having a clarity of purpose and vision. In a previous job, I saw how important it is when you are working with larger regulatory bodies like the FCC. You have to be clear about what you are doing and be able to get feedback. Most regulators do want to help you, but you must be sure to explain your best practices and build trust. Organizational and personal capital are just as important factors as financial capital in a start-up. Building relationships with regulatory agencies and stakeholders are critical to the success of any company.

Also: Be a thermostat, not a thermometer.

Q. Job advice in three words? Leverage Critical Thinking

Q. How are you (or your company) currently bridging the gap between innovation and regulation? We are trying to create and support more companies that serve at the intersection of the public and commercial sectors, specifically in the information, aerospace/defense, and cybersecurity spheres of influence.

Q. What can innovators learn from policymakers? Patience. The bigger the organization, there is greater complexity, and with that comes a broader set of stakeholders that need to be convinced in order to create a change or alter the status quo.

Q. What can policymakers learn from innovators? Instead of thinking of the economic constraints the government and private sectors have, think of unique assets you have in government and approach problems with an open mindset instead of a zero-sum mentality. This can change attitudes and create a more innovative and collaborative culture.

Also: Be more comfortable with failure. It takes many iterations for an idea or product to become sufficiently viable. Failure is a good thing, not something to be scared of.

Q. Favorite long-form article you recommend? Best article of all time: Solitude and Leadership.

Q. Why are you part of TheBridge community? Why do you think it's important this community exists for tech, policy and political professionals? With the exponential rise of tech, it is necessary for policy and political professionals to be seasoned in this world. It will be intertwined in so much of policy-making decisions now and in years to come so it is very important for partnerships and communication to be ongoing.

Q. Best advice you’ve received? Knowing the value of admitting “I don’t know”

Q. Startup to watch? Logically.AI, which uses Artificial Intelligence to combat disinformation.

Q. Everyday is probably different, but can you describe a "day in the life" of your job? My day is divided into 3 work/social time blocks: Morning: I work on long term projects, planning, and presentations. This is when I tackle my more analytical work. Afternoon: This is when I take team, client, and company meetings. Evenings: This is the time of my day I’ve committed to spend time with my fiance, Renee, and dog, Sadie.

Q. Living person you admire? Tom Brady. As the 199th draft pick, he persevered and showed that drive is better than any early indication of talent.

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