Relationships are at the heart of success in venture capital. In the latest episode of The Relationship Edge podcast, host Ablorde Ashigbi sits down with Nitin Pachisia, founding partner of Unshackled Ventures, to discuss the intersection of venture capital, immigration, and the power of grit in entrepreneurship.
Nitin's journey from a consultant at Deloitte to a venture capitalist is anything but traditional. His transition into the startup world was driven by a desire to solve real problems—particularly those faced by immigrant entrepreneurs, a challenge he experienced firsthand.
A VC Journey Rooted in Personal Experience
Unlike the familiar path from banking or early-stage tech investing into venture capital, Nitin's journey started within the walls of Deloitte, where he carved out an entrepreneurial niche. While working with large tech companies, he noticed the thriving startup ecosystem around him and took the initiative to create a startup-focused practice within Deloitte.
This early exposure to startup founders helped him build relationships with entrepreneurs, one of whom—Osman Rashid, the founder of Chegg—eventually invited him to run strategy and finance at his next company. That leap from consultant to operator gave Nitin firsthand experience in the challenges of building and scaling a startup.
However, it was his immigration struggle that led to the creation of Unshackled Ventures.
When starting a business, he encountered a major roadblock: his visa status made it difficult to leave a traditional employer and go full-time on a startup. That personal experience illuminated a massive gap in the venture ecosystem that he and his partner, Manan Mehta, sought to fill by funding and supporting immigrant entrepreneurs.
Why Immigrant Founders Bring a Unique Edge
Unshackled Ventures is built on the belief that immigrants are some of the most resilient and resourceful entrepreneurs. They often leave behind established networks and social safety nets to pursue opportunities in new countries. This reality forces them to develop a strong "adversity muscle"—an ability to persist through challenges and find creative solutions.
However, as Nitin points out, grit has a flip side. While resilience is a strength, it can sometimes lead founders to persist too long on a failing path instead of pivoting when needed. A key part of Unshackled's support system is helping founders recognize when to stay the course and when to shift strategies.
Overcoming Network Barriers as an Immigrant Entrepreneur
One of the biggest challenges immigrant founders face is building a network from scratch. Unlike U.S.-born entrepreneurs who often have access to alumni networks, family connections, or early mentors, immigrants frequently start at a disadvantage.
Nitin and his team at Unshackled Ventures proactively bridge this gap by integrating founders into a community of entrepreneurs, investors, and operators. They also connect them with downstream investors, significantly shortening the time required to raise follow-on capital.
For any entrepreneur, relationships are a key factor in success. However, for immigrant founders, having the right investors, advisors, and customers can make the difference between thriving and struggling.
Non-Transactional Relationship Building in VC
A core theme of the conversation is the importance of non-transactional relationship building. Nitin believes in investing in relationships long before there's an immediate business need.
He shares his approach to networking:
- Offer value first – Instead of approaching relationships with a "what can I get?" mindset, focus on how you can help others.
- Be clear about intentions – When reaching out, explicitly state if there's no immediate agenda. This builds trust and fosters authentic connections.
- Make time for people – Strong relationships don't form overnight. Consistently investing time in conversations and learning about others leads to long-term partnerships.
This mindset has been instrumental in Unshackled's success. Some of their biggest wins—whether through LP commitments or follow-on funding for portfolio companies—stemmed from relationships built years before a deal happened.
Listen to the Full Episode
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