kunal shah
Talent Buyer / Managing Partner
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Kunal Shah is the founder and the Lead Talent Buyer for LXGRP. He has established himself in the entertainment industry by creating his own Artist Management Company in the DC/Baltimore region. Through this company, he successfully launched the first US National Tour for popular artists such as Jay Sean and comedian Russell Peters. While operating in the DC market, Shah also founded Night Life Agency, which curated over 300 events a year in the DC/Baltimore area. These events included A-list weekly events, concerts, and high-profile banquet events featuring celebrities. With his experience and expertise in the entertainment industry, Shah has established himself as a respected figure in the field of talent buying and event curation. In 2013, Kunal Shah moved back to his hometown of Richmond and decided to take a break from the entertainment industry. He launched his own marketing firm that focused on developing hospitality brands in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) market. The firm owned, designed, and operated a number of popular establishments including Kabin Lounge, Sheppard, Karma Salon, Kabana Rooftop, Monroe Rooftop, Switch, Nama, Juan’s Rooftop, and Botanya. Over the course of 10 years, Shah dedicated himself to developing these brands and building a full operational team. However, he eventually decided to step down from his role in order to reconnect with his previous career path in talent buying and event promotions. Through his years of experience, Shah has gained valuable knowledge and expertise in the hospitality industry, which he continues to apply to his current work. As of 2023, Kunal Shah currently serves as the Managing Partner and Lead Talent Buyer for Ember Music Hall. This venue is set to host nationally recognized acts in a state-of-the-art 450+ capacity space, unlike anything previously seen in Richmond. With Shah’s expertise and experience in talent buying and event promotions, Ember Music Hall is sure to become a premier destination for music lovers in the region. Kunal Shah / Managing Partner kunal@lxgrp.com
neal patel
Managing Partner
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Neal is a Richmond native who graduated from Godwin High School and then attended The George Washington University, where he earned his degree in Finance and Information Technology. While he continues to develop his professional career in technology, Neal’s passion for entrepreneurship, hospitality, and event management has had him partnering up with childhood friend Kunal Shah since 2009. Since that time, Neal worked with Kunal to develop venues such as Eden, Kabin Lounge, and Sheppard while they both lived in the Washington, DC area. Neal’s prominent focus being on finance, operations, and large scale event management to ensure guest satisfaction and profitability. After moving back home to Richmond in 2012, Neal became a Partner at LXGRP with Kunal and has played a similar role in the development of local Richmond restaurants: Nama, Switch Pop Up Bar, Juan’s Rooftop, Kabana Rooftop, Monroe Rooftop, Botanya, and Ember Music Hall. Additionally, Neal has worked to develop a management team under LXGRP that can maintain processes and focus across all brands in the areas of marketing, accounting, and operations. With large scale events being a true passion, Neal continues to lead the operations and finance aspects of all LXGRP productions. Neal Patel / Partner neal@lxgrp.com
AD (Aditya) Mehta
Managing Partner
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Is a Richmond native who moved away for an IT career working all over the world. He grew up in hospitality with his family’s Richmond restaurants. Missing his entrepreneurial roots, he moved back to Richmond in 2021 to take over the family business – which includes an insurance brokerage and a commercial real estate development company. He teamed up with childhood friends Neal and Kunal on Kabana and Ember, joining LX Group as a partner in 2022. AD Mehta / Partner ad@lxgrp.com
Amanda Smith
Business Manager
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Amanda Smith is the Business Manager for LXGRP, responsible for overseeing the accounting and business divisions for all of our events and properties. A Virginia native, she has an accounting degree from the College of William and Mary and has worked in corporate accounting in various industries since 2005. Her lifelong passion for performing arts and event production led her to join LXGRP in 2022. Amanda is also a burlesque performer, producer, and co-creator of the RVA Burlesque Festival. Amanda Smith / Business Manager amanda@lxgrp.com
Trevor Caun
Assistant Talent Buyer