Murat Akuyev LLM ’95, general counsel, Runa Capital
Murat Akuyev ’95 is general counsel at Runa Capital, a global venture capital firm that invests in early-stage software startups around the world. After moving to the United States, Murat worked at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP for over 20 years. He now leads Runa Capital’s legal function, providing advice on legal aspects of its activities and coordinating outside counsel, as well as advising portfolio companies on their legal issues. Read more below.
What made you decide to pursue a career as general counsel for a venture capital firm after NYU Law?
I enjoyed a long and interesting career in traditional legal services, but have always been fascinated by the dynamism and creativity of the tech sector, especially in the United States. After moving to NYC, I received a unique opportunity to be part of a brilliant and friendly team at Runa Capital.
How did NYU Law prepare you for this career?
The greatest asset of NYU Law is its people, from faculty to your classmates to the great alumni community. From my first days, the Law School has inspired the quality standards that I strive to keep up during my entire professional life.
Why do you think lawyers find success in this career path?
You meet completely different people in the tech and venture capital sectors. They are brilliant, but they do not think like lawyers at all. You can learn a lot from them, but you can also bring your own mentality and skills to secure the overall success of your company.
What was the biggest challenge you faced as a lawyer in this career path?
Once you move from the corporate world to VC, you have to learn the new “customs of the trade.” I was astonished by the friendly and cooperative spirit of the VC community.
What is the most important thing students should do while they are still in law school to prepare themselves for a career in entrepreneurship, in venture capital, or at a start-up?
Learn anything and everything that comes your way. The best skills you need are the ability to understand and solve problems, which are universal skills. The tech sector and VC are trying to solve everyday problems, so you can do yourself a great service by being a well-rounded professional.
What was the most important lesson you learned in your career thus far?
Try to build bridges and be decent to everyone around you. This makes everyone’s life better and pays off in the long run.
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