On 19th July 2025, we hosted another edition of Winpe’s PEVC Career Talk Series — this time diving into the theme “Decoding Culture Fit.”

The conversation offered an honest look at what culture fit really means in the world of Private Equity & Venture Capital. From figuring out if a firm’s internal dynamics matches your values, to balancing high performance with inclusivity, the speakers unpacked it all — with real stories from their own journeys and how to build meaningful, lasting careers by staying true to themselves.

The session saw 95% positive feedback from the attendees!

To make things even more exciting, we held a lucky draw at the end, where 11 winners bagged a special opportunity: to have their CVs reviewed by the speakers of the upcoming Session 2.

Catch the full recording here

Through sessions like these, Winpe continues its mission to empower women with the tools and perspective they need to enter and thrive in the ever-evolving culture of PEVC.

Key Highlights:

• Culture fit means alignment, not conformity

  In PE/VC, culture fit is about sharing the firm’s values, work ethic, and collaborative spirit, while still bringing your individuality. It’s more than just being technically qualified — it’s about complementing the team.

• Cultural fit matters as much as — or sometimes more than — credentials

  While strong skills and experience are essential, many firms prioritize hiring people who align with their ways of working and can thrive in their unique environment which is mostly male dominated. However, this doesn’t mean hiring only those who “blend in”; diversity of thought and perspective are equally valued.

• Candidates should actively evaluate firm culture

  You can uncover the real culture during interviews or networking by asking specific questions about team dynamics, decision-making, conflict resolution, and inclusion. Talking to current or former employees helps reveal what day-to-day life is really like at the firm.

• Navigating a cultural mismatch

  If you feel out of place after joining, start by identifying the gap, seeking support, and adapting where you can. Speakers shared that navigating such situations, especially in a male-dominated culture, helped them build resilience, self-awareness, and strong people-management skills, while learning how to blend in without losing your individuality.

• High-performance and inclusion can go hand-in-hand

  Despite the high-pressure nature of PE/VC, some firms successfully balance demanding performance expectations with empathy, mentorship, and support for employees’ growth and well-being. Leaders and internal policies play a big role.

• Diversity and culture fit can coexist

  Firms strive to ensure that 'culture fit' is not used as a reason to exclude candidates from non-traditional backgrounds. For candidates, the key is to showcase how their unique experiences align with the firm’s objectives while bringing fresh and valuable perspectives for positioning themselves as a good fit.

Q&A included questions on how to assess a firm’s culture before joining, balancing authenticity with fitting in, and tips for thriving in a set culture.