Organizational Partners
Fund Management Experience
Managing Director
2019 - Present
Investment Due Diligence Lead
2019 - Present
Fund Manager
2020 - Present
Fund Manager
2019 - Present
Speaking Engagements
The following is a collection of my latest and most meaningful projects. Each piece is unique and represents a distinct moment in my career. I hope you enjoy my work and I invite you to contact me with any public speaking engagements you may have.
Technology Association of Oregon
Featured presenter with the Technology Association of Oregon. TAO is determined to create and unite a world-class innovation economy in Oregon. They are the force behind the regional tech industry— they support entrepreneurs and connect peers and decision-makers to establish the Northwest as a global hub for innovation
PSU Master of Finance Program: Adjunct Professor
Panelist and Master of Finance adjunct professor of the Impact Ventures class at Portland State. Portland State's Master of Science in Finance degree provides graduates with tangible technical expertise and experiential skills in corporate finance, traditional investments, and impact investing.
Oyster Podcasts: Leadership Is No Accident
Though Himalaya Rao currently works as the Managing Director of the Black Founders Matter fund, in her view, her work could also be defined as social work. In her effort to find and uplift aspiring BIPOC entrepreneurs with her fund, Rao is working towards systemic change in the world of business and finance. Rao has spotted others’ untapped potential in countless moments throughout her life and career. It has all led up to now, where she has a huge amount of freedom to help black creators realize the potential that others may not have seen in them.
Onward Eugene: EUG Launchpad
Collaboration with Onward Eugene to present a three-part workshop series within EUG Launchpad accelerator. Onward Eugene is a 501c3 who has a vision to create a thriving local economy that leads to inclusive prosperity. They host a number of programs in the local ecosystem including the RISE Leadership Institute and the EUG Launchpad.
Willamette Week: BFM Interview
Black Founders Matter teamed up with Willamette Week to discuss unchanged outcomes around capital investment into Black entrepreneurs. Willamette Week is a Portland-based newspaper that sponsors many local and regional events including TechFest NW
VertueLab Fuel 2020 Conference
Panelist on Raising the Rounds: Emotion vs. content in your pitch. This was part of a broader series of workshops available through the Fuel 2020 Conference, put on by VertueLab. This nonprofit fights climate change by providing funding and holistic entrepreneurial support to Cleantech startups. VertueLab has been around for a decade with a proven model that accelerates climate solutions that are key to reversing the climate crisis.
McMinnville Startup Bootcamp
Featured presenter within the McMinville startup bootcamp series. LAUNCH Mid-Valley is a regional collaborative unearthing innovative resources to help launch startups and support growth businesses. The annual Startup Bootcamp is a weekend intensive that uses lean startup strategies to help accelerate business planning and execution.
PreGame HQ Portland
Webinar exclusive for Pregame members. Pregame HQ is a Portland-based business coaching organization that has a tailored curriculum, 1:1 coaching, and community support to create business game plans. Pregame HQ is intended for early-stage startups who have the desire to quickly accelerate their business growth.
Oregon Entrepreneurs Network
Moderation of panel comparing the various accelerator, incubator, and co-working space models. Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) helps entrepreneurs start-up and scale up by connecting them to peers and mentors, startup funding opportunities, and hands-on training. A nonprofit, membership-driven organization with a 28-year track record, OEN is Oregon’s only organization that supports scalable startups from every industry across the state.
Invent Oregon
Curriculum creator and contributor for Invent Oregon’s inter-collegiate programming. Invent Oregon is a prototyping competition for Oregon college and university students with ideas for inventions to address today’s most pressing problems. Through the Invent Oregon program, students are empowered through mentorship and education to see themselves as innovators. Selected teams received $2,500 in development grants to take their invention from an idea to a working prototype while learning about the process of commercialization with $30,000 in cash prizes during the annual finals competition.
Certifications
NVCA/Berkeley Law: Venture Finance Certification
VC University provides practical training on venture finance for entrepreneurs, investors, attorneys and anyone else interested in emerging company finance. VCU provides an opportunity to learn about cutting-edge issues in emerging venture finance and connect with local leaders and influencers from Silicon Valley. Through lectures, interviews with leading venture capitalists, and interactive assessments, participants will learn the nuts and bolts of venture finance and earn a certificate of completion.