Deacon Spotlight: Jay Sehgal

Jay Sehgal (2014, BA Psychology, Minor in Middle East & South Asia Studies)

Investor and Chief of Staff at MetaProp in New York, NC

Tell us about your current job role and employer. What are you currently working on?

MetaProp is a venture capital firm that primarily invests in early-stage technology startups with a focus on real estate or the built environment. As an investor, my role involves sourcing new deals and investments, conducting due diligence to ensure we’re selecting the right opportunities, and executing those transactions.

In my role as chief of staff, I support our General Partner in the strategy, operations, and management of our investment team. We have six team members, and I’m responsible for ensuring that our internal processes and workflow operate smoothly—essentially keeping the engine running efficiently in support of our goals.

What key personal and/or career experiences led you to where you are today?

I’ve had a diverse career, working at tech startups—one that scaled into a large corporation and another that faltered—at a large consulting firm, and in both emerging and established venture capital firms. Each experience has shaped who I am today and why I’m at my current firm.

One important lesson I’ve learned is about the kind of team environment where I thrive. Going into management consulting, I suspected I’d enjoy the work but not the large corporate structure—and that turned out to be true. Being one of tens of thousands of consultants wasn’t energizing or where I did my best work. I realized I prefer smaller, leaner teams where I can build strong relationships, work faster, and avoid the bureaucracy and politics of larger organizations.

Testing that hypothesis and refining what works for me has been pivotal in shaping my career path, my approach to leadership, and my goals as a professional.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job? How do you navigate that challenge?

The most challenging aspect of my job—and I think of any job—is navigating interpersonal dynamics and building consensus. At our firm, the investment process requires unanimous agreement among partners, which creates purposeful friction to ensure thorough decision-making. However, this can be challenging when you’re closest to a deal and have the most insight into the industry, company, or founding team, while others may not share the same perspective. Aligning everyone and getting them to see the opportunity from your vantage point requires patience and strong communication skills.

This challenge isn’t unique to venture capital. In consulting, for example, projects often involved input from six or seven partners with differing opinions. While it’s valuable to gather diverse perspectives, creating alignment, committing to a decision, and moving forward efficiently can be difficult. It’s a constant balancing act between honoring individual viewpoints and ensuring the team moves in the same direction.

What advice would you give to Wake Forest graduates about developing their personal life habits after college (finances, health, values, work/life balance)?

A few things come to mind. First, everyone will have an opinion—whether from short-form media, blogs, Reddit, your parents, or friends. You’ll hear plenty of advice, but ultimately, the decisions you make should align with your own values and goals. Start with the end in mind: think about what truly matters to you, then reverse-engineer the steps to get there. It’s okay if your path looks different from someone else’s—there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

That said, the wrong approach is to avoid asking questions or making decisions without enough information. Take advantage of the unprecedented access to knowledge we have today. Use the tools available, challenge what you hear, and push yourself to learn about areas you don’t yet understand.

Finally, don’t be afraid to seek help or ask questions. Be thoughtful about distinguishing expert advice from opinion, and stay focused on your vision, values, and objectives as you carve out your own path forward. Developing strong habits starts with intentionality and curiosity.

We know that relationships are important for any kind of development. How do you build and maintain your network?

For me, building and maintaining a network has been an organic process. I focus on quality over quantity and try to blend work and life seamlessly, seeing work as a component of life rather than a separate compartment. This approach aligns well with my career and personal values, though it might not work for everyone. I’ve always started with what’s right in front of me—for example, when I moved to New York after graduating, I lived with two Wake alums. Spending time with them, their friends, and their networks, while introducing them to mine, was an easy way to start building connections in a new city.

I’ve also learned the importance of recognizing the value I bring to the table and not overthinking the process. People are often more receptive than we imagine, and the downside of reaching out is minimal. Sending a thoughtful email or cold message, whether to Wake Forest alums or others in my network, has frequently led to meaningful conversations. While not everyone responds, many do, and those connections have played a big role in sustaining and growing my network over time.

Tell us about your mentoring relationships. What impact have these relationships had on your career and life?

Most of my mentoring relationships have been organic and informal, evolving over time and through different phases of my life. For me, mentorship has been about having a thoughtful sounding board—someone to share ideas with, challenge me, and help me shape my perspective. It’s also about having someone in my corner who offers encouragement, goodwill, and unwavering support. Those relationships have had immense tangible and intangible value in my life.

One of my greatest mentors is Dr. David Hagy, a retired professor from Wake Forest. We first connected in 2012 when he led my study abroad program in Venice. That connection has grown into a cherished relationship spanning over a decade. Dr. Hagy remains someone I can call or email for wisdom, encouragement, and perspective. No matter what topic we’re discussing, his insights on universal themes like relationships, energy and attitude, and human dynamics are invaluable to me.

What advice would you give to current Wake Forest students and/or young alumni who are interested in working in your industry?

Understand that the most critical skill you can develop is the ability to learn. In industries like venture capital, which revolve around predicting the future, this skill is a lifelong pursuit. You’re making investments based on a vision of what the world might look like a decade from now, which requires a commitment to perpetual learning. Always be reading, exploring new information, and building conviction—even if it’s based on a contrarian perspective of the world today. That mindset comes from nurturing curiosity and challenging yourself to learn about areas outside your expertise or comfort zone.

Ultimately, fostering a mentality of lifelong learning and curiosity is the most valuable thing you can do early in your career. This foundation of knowledge and adaptability will set you up for success in any industry, but especially one that thrives on anticipating and shaping the future.

What’s next for your career? What future goals or plans are you pursuing?

My goal is to build a strong track record, experience, and skillset in this industry over the next several years, with the longer-term ambition of starting my own firm. This means maximizing opportunities to learn and grow by getting as many “reps” as possible and immersing myself in every aspect of running an investment firm. I want to understand how the operations work, how great investors think, and how the pieces come together behind the scenes.

Tactically, I’m working closely with our partners, portfolio companies, and peers to absorb as much knowledge as I can. It’s about honing my skills and perspective through real-world experience. Over the next three to seven years, my plan is to continue building this foundation so that when the time comes, I’ll be ready to take the plunge into launching my own venture.

Story published in December 2024. For current updates about Jay, visit his Linkedin.