Where does Himalaya Rao work?

Himalaya Rao is Managing Director at Black Founders Matter.

What check size does Himalaya Rao write?

Himalaya Rao typically writes checks of $50K – $150K.

Where did Himalaya Rao go to school?

Himalaya Rao studied at Techstars (Venture Deals, Banking); University of California, Berkeley - School of Law (Certificate in Venture Finance (NVCA x Venture Forward), Banking); Willamette University MBA (Master of Business Administration - MBA, Business Administration).

Himalaya Rao

Investor

Managing Director at Black Founders Matter · General Partner at The BFM Fund

United States

Writes $50K – $150K checks

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You →Sam · together at The BFM Fund →Himalaya

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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

Venture Partners FundExecutive Directorcurrent2022 — presentPortland, OR
The BFM FundManaging Directorcurrent2019 — presentUnited States
Portland Seed FundVenture Capital Consultant2019 — 2023Portland, Oregon, United States
VC IncludeVC Include Fellow2022 — 2023
SEDCOR - Strategic Economic Development CorporationMid-Valley Fund Manager2020 — 2022Salem, Oregon, United States
CarBarCo-Founder & CEO2017 — 2020Portland, Oregon Area
Oregon Entrepreneurs NetworkFund Manager2019 — 2020Portland, Oregon Area
Willamette UniversityWillamette Angel Fund Associate2018 — 2019Portland, Oregon Area
Pacific SeafoodProcess Improvement Analyst2018Clackamas, Oregon
Assistance League, National OfficeManagement Consultant2017 — 2018Salem, OR
State of OregonChange Management Consultant2017 — 2018
NYC Department of EducationSchool Social Worker Placement2013 — 2014Greater New York City Area
Adelphi UniversityGraduate Assistant2013 — 2014Garden City, NY
Public Health SolutionsEarly Intervention Coordinator2012Bronx, NY
TargetExecutive Team Leader2011 — 2012Mount Kisco, NY
Urban League Of The UpstateGrant Writer/Intern2011Binghamton, NY
Binghamton UniversityResident Assistant2009 — 2011
Binghamton UniversityMentor-International Students2008 — 2011
Binghamton UniversityLeadership Consultant2008 — 2010Binghamton, NY
J.U.M.P. Nation at Syracuse UniversityMentor2008 — 2011Binghamton, NY
Sigma Alpha Lambda National Leadership and Honors OrganizationPresident2007 — 2011Binghamton University

Skills & more

Start-up VenturesCapital AllocationKeynote SpeakingExperienced SpeakerVenture FinancingEducational LeadershipAdult EducationNon-profit ManagementTeaching13Fundraising18Language Development3Community Outreach46

+12 more

ResearchProgram 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

A Kids CoSolo 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.

Colleagues at Black Founders Matter

Marceau Michel

Managing Partner at Black Founders Matter

Frequently asked questions

Who is Himalaya Rao?: 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.
Where does Himalaya Rao work?: Himalaya Rao is Managing Director at Black Founders Matter.
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.
Where did Himalaya Rao go to school?: Himalaya Rao studied at Techstars (Venture Deals, Banking); University of California, Berkeley - School of Law (Certificate in Venture Finance (NVCA x Venture Forward), Banking); Willamette University MBA (Master of Business Administration - MBA, Business Administration).