Andy Ngo, Assistant General Counsel

6:00 a.m. (EST) – The Calm Before the Storm

The alarm goes off, and I have exactly 2.5 seconds to get out of bed before my brain starts negotiating with itself. But discipline wins (today, at least), and I’m off to work out. Whether it’s a run, some weights, or a YouTube yoga session that leaves me more confused than enlightened, it’s a necessary start to the day.

7:00 a.m. – The Real CEO of the House

My 4-year-old daughter Sophie is up, and the morning turns into a high-stakes negotiation—think term-sheet discussions, but with pancakes and gloves instead of preferred voting rights. Shoes are lost, existential debates about wearing a jacket occur, and finally, we’re out the door. She heads off to school, and I transform from Dad to Venture Capital/Incubator Lawyer.

8:30 a.m. – Game Time

I settle into my home office, coffee in hand, ready to dive into a mix of national security and healthcare venture deals. One moment, I’m reviewing an investment in a cutting-edge AI Healthcare startup, and the next, I’m on a call discussing export control laws. Every deal brings something new, which is what makes this work so exciting.

10:00 a.m. – Small-but-Mighty Legal Team Check-In

I hop on a quick video call with my amazing, small-but-mighty legal team. Our group includes Red Cell’s General Counsel, Heather Stevenson (the amazingly supportive and ridiculously knowledgeable leader of our team); Jazmine Garland (our legal operations wizard); and Tim McKeever (who has more experience in the transactions world than some law firms). We strategize on ongoing OKRs for the team, potential new deal structures, any fast-moving or high-priority items, and make each other laugh in between. Their expertise and dedication make navigating the legal complexities of venture capital a rewarding experience.

12:30 p.m. – Lunchtime and an Attempt at Work-Life Balance

Lunch can always be a surprise – it could mean either diving into that (mostly) healthy salad I prepared the night before – or grabbing something quick from a café down the street from my house; it depends on my day. If I’m lucky, during this time, I’ll have an internal call with my teammates where we’ll all catch each other nibbling on lunch in between conversations about work or major life updates – a throwback to the work lunch-room days, except without the cliques. At Red Cell, we are all on the same team.  

2:00 p.m. – A Quick Check-In with My Boss

Heather checks in to discuss a high-profile investment. We go over key risks, regulatory hurdles, and broader strategic moves. These conversations are always insightful, keeping me sharp and engaged in the ever-evolving world of venture capital.

3:00 p.m. – The Afternoon Sprint

Afternoons are a blur of calls, contract reviews, and Slack messages. I might be negotiating a large customer contract while simultaneously making a mental note that my daughter has a school project due tomorrow. The ability to context-switch is key—both in venture law and in parenting.

5:30 p.m. – Back to Dad Mode

The laptop closes (for now), and I head out to pick up my daughter. She’s got boundless energy and important updates about preschool politics. We head home for dinner, bath time, and the surprisingly intense bedtime routine.

8:30 p.m. – The Quiet Hustle

With the house finally calm, I hop back online for some light evening work. Maybe it’s a quick update to a consulting agreement or responding to emails from Red Cell’s growing team on the West Coast. But it’s quieter now, and with fewer distractions, it can be my most productive time.

9:30 p.m. – Recharge and Repeat

Laptop is closed, stakeholders have been responded to, and Sophie is (luckily) still asleep. I unwind with a book, a show, or by scrolling aimlessly until I realize sleep is the best investment I can make for tomorrow.

Being a venture capital lawyer is a constant balancing act, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. The work is fast-paced, the deals are meaningful, and the flexibility to be present for my daughter makes it all worth it. Now, if only I could find those missing shoes before tomorrow morning…