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Himalaya Rao-Potlapally
Managing Director | Recast Fellow | VCI Fellow
Himalaya Rao-Potlapally is a prominent figure in the venture capital space, currently serving as the Executive Director at Venture Partners Fund.1 Her career has been marked by diverse experiences and achievements in entrepreneurship, consulting, and leadership roles.
Professional Experience
Himalaya has a rich background in various sectors:
Entrepreneurship:: She co-founded and served as CEO of CarBar, a marketing service connecting local businesses with new customers through pop-up events, from October 2017 to August 2020.1
Consulting:: Himalaya has worked as a management consultant for non-profit organizations and as a change management consultant for the State of Oregon.1
Corporate Leadership:: She held the position of Executive Team Leader at Target, where she drove front-end sales of $2 million while leading a team of managers and employees.1
Education and Certifications
Himalaya's educational background includes:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Willamette University
- Master of Social Work (MSW) from Adelphi University
- Bachelor of Science in Human Development from Binghamton University1
She also holds a Certificate in Venture Finance from Venture Forward.1
Achievements and Recognition
Himalaya has received notable recognition in her field:
- Named in the "40 under 40" list by Portland Business Journal in July 20211
- Recognized as a "Women in VC: Rising Star" by Venture Forward: National Venture Capital Association in March 20221
Current Focus
In her role at Venture Partners Fund, Himalaya is actively involved in:
- Promoting diversity in venture capital, as evidenced by her participation in the 2022 VC Include Fellowship4
- Supporting and advocating for Black-owned businesses and BIPOC entrepreneurs23
- Mentoring and guiding aspiring venture capitalists5
Himalaya is known for her commitment to diversifying the venture capital industry and supporting underrepresented founders. Her LinkedIn profile (username: himalayarao) showcases her ongoing involvement in various initiatives and her passion for driving change in the VC ecosystem.
Highlights
📣 CALLOUT FOR FUNDING OPPORTUNITY - ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT! 📣
🌟 We’re thrilled to announce that The BFM Fund, Venture Partners Fund, and EDCO - Economic Development for Central Oregon are partnering together to create the New Economy Track at Bend Venture Conference (BVC).
🌟 We’re inviting innovative companies NATIONWIDE to apply. We have at least $200k so please apply today! Finalists will also have an opportunity to present on the main stage at Bend Venture Conference in October.
🌟 This new track highlights companies fostering a future-oriented, inclusive economy.
🌟 Evaluation Criteria:
- Founder Proximity: Founders with relevant lived experiences to their communities.
- Participation for Marginalized/SEDI Communities: Technologies, services, or products enhancing participation and quality of life for marginalized/SEDI communities.
- Internal Impact Metrics: Governance and operations with community-focused structures.
- External Impact Metrics: Impact of products on the environment, wealth gaps, and consumption patterns.
🌟 Application Details:
- Deadline: August 9 - Apply Here: https://lnkd.in/eu6_npvB - Requirements: Products enabling marginalized/SEDI community participation, founders proximity to communities served, demonstrated impact metrics, $100K-$900K in revenue over the past year, and seeking initial institutional funding.
🌟 Join us to support visionary companies shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future.
🌟 Apply now and spread this message to others who might benefit from funding!
🥰 Thank you to supporters and advocates of BFM and Venture Partners: Rachel Wilson, Shaena Grim, MBA, Luis Balderas Villagrana, Aurelia Flores, Melanie (Mel) Strong, Paige Hendrix Buckner, Cobi Lewis, Arsh Haque, Joshua Wylie, Ochuko Akpovbovbo, Claudius Taylor, PMP, Kenyatta Trice, Nathan Webster, Jennifer Hwang Bush, Jennifer O'Daniel, Adam Choe, Tim Ryan, Paul Nolde, Charles Corprew, Ph.D., Saras Sarasvathy, Maria Pope, Winnie Sabbat, MBA, Marquita Jaramillo, Ricardo López, Jenn Lynch, Ann McQuesten, Yvonne S., Elaine Hsieh, Hazel Valdez, Julius Valentine M., Desiree Frieson, Aaron D. Taylor, Charles Morgan, Lawrence Campbell, Cornelia P., Ruchira Bhowmik
📣 Last chance to register for our upcoming event!! 📣
🌟 The BFM Fund x Venture Partners Fund x Carta are hosting a Venture Community Breakfast on Monday July 1st in NYC.
🌟 We love building in community, and with peers who love working with others. A huge thanks to Maria Pope and Luis Balderas Villagrana for your continued and unwavering commitment to building with and for the masses. 🙏🏽🔥
Is this event right for you? Please see below for information on who would be best suited for Monday's event!
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Current GPs and leaders of venture firms: who would benefit from being first in line for top recruitment candidates and accessing free/subsidized talent into their organizations.
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Current EDs and leaders of venture fellowship programs: who would like to contribute to a more comprehensive collaboration between the different fellowships and create a diverse pipeline for their individual programs.
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Fellows who are currently in a venture fellowship program or alumni of such program: who would benefit from connecting with venture fund leaders for future employment opportunities.
Event Registration Link: https://lu.ma/gytztsed
As always, a very heartfelt shoutout to the many people who have continued to support our community-driven initiatives. Chidima S. Okorie, MA, PMP®, Milton Speid, Aurelia Flores, Rachel Wilson, Shaena Grim, MBA, Salvador Dueñas, Troy Duffie, Kiante Bush, MBA, Melanie Akwule, MBA, Ryan S. Haddad, Winnie Sabbat, MBA, Brahm R., Lorine Pendleton, La Keisha Landrum Pierre, Madeline Atmore, MBA, Thet Hnin Swe, Madeline Armitage, Bonnie Vieira, Joshua Wylie, Xuan Cen Cheng, Arsh Haque, Chris Magaña, Natasha Torres, Hazel Valdez, David Kenney 💕
