Sheila Narayan
InvestorManaging Director at Golden Seeds
Boston, Massachusetts
Writes $250K β $2M checks Β· typically $1M
About
Sheila Narayan is a strategic advisor and mentor to early-stage companies, providing guidance on ideation, product development, customer discovery, and fundraising. She has over a decade of experience as an angel investor and more than two decades in the payments and financial technology industry. Narayan leads fundraising workshops, offers mentorship through accelerator and university innovation programs in the Boston area, and previously served as a managing director at Golden Seeds and on the board of a nonprofit focused on startup fundraising education.
Experience
- Golden SeedsGolden Seeds Alum / Former Managing Directorcurrent2025 β present
- Golden SeedsManaging Director2014 β 2025Greater Boston
- Golden SeedsLeadership Chair, Boston Chapter2017 β 2019
- Narayan Advisory Services LLCPrincipalcurrent2012 β presentBurlington, MA
- Boston UniversityInvestment Panelist / Expert in Residence, Innovate@BU Innovation Pathway Programcurrent2022 β presentBoston, Massachusetts, United States
- VentureWellMentor In Residencecurrent2024 β present
- Victoria Gourmet IncBoard Membercurrent2017 β presentWoburn, Massachusetts
- The Capital NetworkBoard Member2019 β 2025Boston, Massachusetts
- Golden Seeds Angel Association, Inc.Board Trustee2022 β 2023
- Online ResourcesExecutive Vice President, Operations2010 β 2011Chantilly, VA
- Online ResourcesEVP and General Manager, Banking Payments Division2008 β 2010Chantilly, VA
- First Annapolis, now part of AccenturePartner1995 β 2006Linthicum, MD
- Digital Equipment Corporation (USA)Sr. Audit Consultant / Financial Analyst1989 β 1993Maynard, MA
Education
- The Wharton SchoolMBA, Marketing and Operations1993 β 1995
- Bryant UniversityB.S. in Business Administration, Finance1985 β 1989
Skills & more
NegotiationManagement14Strategy22Leadership5Executive Management8Operations Management2Payments7Business Strategy17Strategic Partnerships22Outsourcing8Business Process Improvement2Business Development15
+5 more
Financial ServicesBusiness PlanningCRMProgram ManagementCustomer Relationship Management (CRM)From Sheila's professional profile.
Colleagues at Golden Seeds
Adriana Diener-Veinott
Investor at Golden Seeds
Alana Lyons
Manager of Entrepreneur Relations at Golden Seeds
Alison Hart
Director of Finance at Golden Seeds
Amber Meriwether
Boston Chapter Leader at Golden Seeds
Ana Knapp
Investor at Golden Seeds
Angela Allen
Investor at Golden Seeds
Barbara Raho
Co-Chair of the Membership Engagement Program at Golden Seeds
Carol Curley
Managing Director at Golden Seeds
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Sheila Narayan?
- Sheila Narayan is a strategic advisor and mentor to early-stage companies, providing guidance on ideation, product development, customer discovery, and fundraising. She has over a decade of experience as an angel investor and more than two decades in the payments and financial technology industry. Narayan leads fundraising workshops, offers mentorship through accelerator and university innovation programs in the Boston area, and previously served as a managing director at Golden Seeds and on the board of a nonprofit focused on startup fundraising education.
- Where does Sheila Narayan work?
- Sheila Narayan is Managing Director at Golden Seeds.
- What check size does Sheila Narayan write?
- Sheila Narayan typically writes checks of $250K β $2M.
- Where did Sheila Narayan go to school?
- Sheila Narayan studied at The Wharton School (MBA, Marketing and Operations); Bryant University (B.S. in Business Administration, Finance).
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