Himalaya Rao-Potlapally

Managing Director, Black Founders Matter Fund

Portland

I love learning and being in roles that challenge me to continuously improve and reiterate. I have a passion for bringing that knowledge to BIPOC communities with the goal of creating access and empowerment. My interest and passion has led me to many different roles and industries.

I've worked in high-risk schools as a Social Worker, I've worked with enterprises as a Management Consultant doing projects in Strategy, Process Improvement, and Change Management. I've started my own business, CarBar and WhatTheFork Foods, to increase access to local consumers for small food and beverage entrepreneurs. Over the last three years, my passion has led me to work as a Fund Manager and Venture Capital Consultant to provide comprehensive and consistent due diligence analysis on prospective investments. I work at Portland Seed Fund sourcing and screening investment opportunities and am currently fundraising for Black Founders Matter Fund I.

I speak on and moderate panels related to entrepreneurship, venture capital, and angel funding. I lead workshops in the areas of design thinking/product ideation and access to capital (both non-dilutive and dilutive funding). Please message me for more details!