Why Tola Capital: Interviews, Careers, & Portfolio

Tola Capital Overview

Tola Capital is a venture capital firm based in Seattle, WA, and was founded in 2010 by Sheila Gulati.

The firm is dedicated to taking advantage of the unique opportunity in the changing enterprise software industry, driven by improvements in cloud computing, data use, and mobile technology.

Tola Capital focuses on investing in the next generation of enterprise software companies that are using these new data and cloud platforms.

The firm provides both capital and hands-on engagement to foster growth in its portfolio companies. Tola Capital targets early-stage enterprise software companies that offer essential products for enterprise customers, have a robust existing customer base, maintain a strong competitive position, and possess exceptional talent and culture.

Tola Capital’s investment strategy includes companies that are reshaping enterprise software and the opportunities arising from AI in the startup ecosystem. Key investment areas include:

• Domain-specific Foundation Models
• AI/ML Tooling
• AI SaaS Applications
• AI Compliance and Governance
• AI Security Tools
• Enterprise of the Future

By focusing on these areas, Tola Capital aims to drive innovation and growth within the enterprise software industry.

Tola Capital AUM

There is no available information regarding Tola Capital’s assets under management. However, after raising $230 million for its 3rd fund, the firm has raised a total of $688 million across its three funds as of November 2023.

Tola Capital Interview Process & Questions

While firms can always tailor their interview process for each candidate, if you interview at Tola Capital (or a similar firm), you can generally expect the following:

• Around 4-6 interview rounds
• Initial interviews are usually conducted by junior investment professionals or the HR team, with senior team members leading the later rounds
• The entire process typically spans several weeks, unless it is during “on-cycle” or “on-campus” recruiting

Interviews at Tola Capital will include a mix of fit questions, behavioral questions, and technical/investing questions.

Need help preparing for interviews? Check out my Growth Equity Interview Guide.

Why Tola Capital

“Why this firm?” is a crucial and frequently asked interview question.

If you have networked with people at the firm, now is the perfect time to mention those connections and the positive impressions they’ve made on you.

Additionally, researching the firm before your interview is quite important. A great way to do this is by listening to interviews with the firm’s founders or investors.

To help you get started, here’s an interview with Sheila Gulati, Founder at Tola Capital:

More Interviews

• Discussion with female entrepreneur at The Montgomery Summit 2017 with Sheila Gulati, Tola Capital Founder
• The Montgomery Summit 2020 moderated by Sheila Gulati

Tola Capital Case Study

Interviewees will almost always encounter a case study during the interview process. These case studies are designed to evaluate your technical skills and communication abilities.

At firms like Tola Capital, case studies typically involve financial modeling and investment recommendations. For junior roles, you may also be asked to complete a cold calling case study.

Need help preparing for case studies? Check out my Growth Equity Interview Guide.

Tola Capital Salary & Compensation

While there isn’t recent salary data specifically for investment analysts and associates at Tola Capital, Salary.com estimates that the average salary for Tola Capital employees is approximately $98,740 per year. Those in the top 75th percentile earn over $111,403 annually.

Individual salaries can vary based on the specific role, department, and location, as well as the employee’s education, certifications, and additional skills.

Tola Capital Careers, Jobs, & Internships

To see open roles at Tola Capital, check out our job board which features all open roles for them and other similar firms.

Tola Capital Portfolio & Investments

According to Crunchbase, Tola Capital has made 67 investments across five funds. Some of their notable deals include Lumeus.ai, Klarity, and Nooks.

Notable Transaction: ESG Flo

On October 31, 2023, ESG Flo, an AI-powered data infrastructure platform, announced that it secured $5.25 million in seed capital.

This funding round was co-led by Tola Capital and Rho Ignition, with additional participation from Bain & Company and Contour Venture Partners.

ESG Flo provides customers in the industrial, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors with a robust ESG data infrastructure to manage their reporting and decision-making needs. The platform targets companies in these sectors that require a centralized way to handle sustainability data due to stakeholder pressure and the significant impact of ESG considerations.

With the new funding, ESG Flo plans to expand its offerings to include CSRD and SEC readiness solutions, hire top-tier engineers to enhance its AI engine, and grow its marketing team to support a broader customer base.

Next Steps

If you’re planning to apply and build your investing career at Tola Capital, I strongly suggest checking out my Growth Equity Interview Guide before attending interviews.

The Growth Equity Interview Guide is designed to help professionals master topics commonly covered in interviews, including financial modeling, case studies, and more. Explore the guide and start preparing today!