Fundraising Fox

Himalaya Rao

Investor

General Partner at The BFM Fund

United States

Writes $50K – $150K checks

About

Himalaya Rao, solo general partner and Oregon’s first woman of color VC fund manager, leveraged seven venture roles to redistribute wealth to Black communities through de‑risked portfolios and later‑stage pipelines.

Invests in

ConsumerHealthtechImpact & Social GoodSaaSSector Agnostic

Experience

  1. Venture Partners FundExecutive Directorcurrent2022 — presentPortland, OR
  2. The BFM FundManaging Directorcurrent2019 — presentUnited States
  3. Portland Seed FundVenture Capital Consultant2019 — 2023Portland, Oregon, United States
  4. VC IncludeVC Include Fellow2022 — 2023
  5. SEDCOR - Strategic Economic Development CorporationMid-Valley Fund Manager2020 — 2022Salem, Oregon, United States
  6. CarBarCo-Founder & CEO2017 — 2020Portland, Oregon Area
  7. Oregon Entrepreneurs NetworkFund Manager2019 — 2020Portland, Oregon Area
  8. Willamette UniversityWillamette Angel Fund Associate2018 — 2019Portland, Oregon Area
  9. Pacific SeafoodProcess Improvement Analyst2018Clackamas, Oregon
  10. Assistance League, National OfficeManagement Consultant2017 — 2018Salem, OR
  11. State of OregonChange Management Consultant2017 — 2018
  12. NYC Department of EducationSchool Social Worker Placement2013 — 2014Greater New York City Area
  13. Adelphi UniversityGraduate Assistant2013 — 2014Garden City, NY
  14. Public Health SolutionsEarly Intervention Coordinator2012Bronx, NY
  15. TargetExecutive Team Leader2011 — 2012Mount Kisco, NY
  16. Urban League Of The UpstateGrant Writer/Intern2011Binghamton, NY
  17. Binghamton UniversityResident Assistant2009 — 2011
  18. Binghamton UniversityMentor-International Students2008 — 2011
  19. Binghamton UniversityLeadership Consultant2008 — 2010Binghamton, NY
  20. J.U.M.P. Nation at Syracuse UniversityMentor2008 — 2011Binghamton, NY

Education

  1. TechstarsVenture Deals, Banking2021
  2. University of California, Berkeley - School of LawCertificate in Venture Finance (NVCA x Venture Forward), Banking2020
  3. Willamette University MBAMaster of Business Administration - MBA, Business Administration2017 — 2019
  4. Adelphi UniversityMaster of Social Work (M.S.W.), Social Work2012 — 2014
  5. Binghamton UniversityBS, Human Development2007 — 2011
  6. Ridgefield High SchoolHigh School Diploma2003 — 2007

Skills & more

Start-up VenturesCapital AllocationKeynote SpeakingExperienced SpeakerVenture FinancingEducational LeadershipAdult EducationNon-profit ManagementTeaching13Fundraising18Language Development3Community Outreach46
+12 moreResearchProgram ManagementEvent PlanningLeadership DevelopmentResume WritingCustomer ServiceTime ManagementInterviewsPublic SpeakingConflict ResolutionManagementStrategic Planning

Languages English · Telugu

  • 2025 JEI Cohort 8 Fellow — Just Economy Institute
  • 2024 IIE.VC GP Program — Catalyze Partners
  • 2023 Impact Capital Manager Fellow — Boston Impact Initiative
  • 2023 Accelerate Fellow — Recast Capital
  • 2022 Emerging Manager Fellow — VC Include
  • Certificate in Venture Finance — Venture Forward

From Himalaya's professional profile.

Deals · 11

SayshSolo GP

via The BFM Fund · filed Mar 2022

HUEDSolo GP

via The BFM Fund · filed Aug 2021

Glow Up GamesSolo GP

via The BFM Fund · filed Apr 2021

AkidscoSolo GP

via The BFM Fund

LISNRSolo GP

via The BFM Fund

Meter FeederSolo GP

via The BFM Fund

OpConnectSolo GP

via The BFM Fund

Re NubleSolo GP

via The BFM Fund

StimulusSolo GP

via The BFM Fund

WealthmoreSolo GP

via The BFM Fund

YearOneSolo GP

via The BFM Fund

Attribution from SEC filings, press coverage, and firm rosters. Some rows are inferred. Not right? Tell us.

Frequently asked questions

Where does Himalaya Rao work?
Himalaya Rao is General Partner at The BFM Fund.
What does Himalaya Rao invest in?
Himalaya Rao invests in Consumer, Healthtech, Impact & Social Good, SaaS, Sector Agnostic.
What check size does Himalaya Rao write?
Himalaya Rao typically writes checks of $50K – $150K.

Same school

Also attended University of California, Berkeley - School of Law85

Deborah CarrilloPartner + General Counsel at Menlo VenturesBrenden GlapionCorporate Counsel at GreycroftBrad WeirickPartner & General Counsel at March Capital PartnersErica SunFinance/Legal/IR at 8VCUri GreenwaldInvestor at Khosla VenturesMichael PerezDeputy General Counsel at Mucker Capital

+ 79 more

Also attended Adelphi University7

David WeingardT1D Moonshot Impact Board at StartUp HealthScott KellyMarketing Partner at 7BC Venture CapitalLuke CooperOperating Partner at Preface VenturesZach NaglieriOperator at M13Tal SheynfeldInvestor at Energy Impact PartnersSuhit GuptaManaging Partner at Sparked Ventures

+ 1 more

Also attended Binghamton University64

Kira BusmanInvestor at Index VenturesBrian DunefskyChief Compliance Officer at Oak Investment PartnersRebecca MancusiInvestor at Third Rock VenturesMelanie RosenbergSenior AI Engineer at Theory VenturesSianFounding Partner at Saas Ventures, L.L.C.Jason BonayerVenture Partner at Blockchain Builders

+ 58 more

Also attended Ridgefield High School4

Andrew FurmanSoftware Developer at Asymmetric Capital PartnersTravis LeiterInvestor at BroadscaleAlfston ThomasPartner at Huntington Avenue VenturesJohn ThompsonFounder at Quetzal

Shared employers

Also worked at VC Include2

Joy JingMarketing & Social Media at Lair East LabsPatience Marime BallPartner at Apollo Asset Management

Also worked at Oregon Entrepreneurs Network2

Jon MaroneyGeneral Partner at Oregon Venture FundDeepthi MadhavaDiligence & Investment Sourcing at Oregon Venture Fund

Also worked at Adelphi University2

Zach NaglieriOperator at M13Suhit GuptaManaging Partner at Sparked Ventures

Also worked at Target38

Nate LeeFounder and Chief Information Security Officer at Scale Venture PartnersAlexis AlstonInvestor at Lightship CapitalPeter FranzAnalyst at Miami University Redhawk VenturesVonni WilliamsTalent Partner at Embedded VenturesCourtney SawatzkeEarly-stage Investor at Active PartnersAmy ChangFounder, Accompany at Decibel Partners

+ 32 more