Priyanka Rao
Tech Entrepreneur | Investor
Priyanka Rao is a seasoned tech entrepreneur and investor based in New York City. With over a decade of experience across investment banking, venture capital, and the technology industry, she has established herself as a strategic leader and innovative problem-solver.
Professional Overview
As a Tech Entrepreneur and Investor at Rackhouse Venture Capital, Priyanka leverages her deep industry expertise and extensive network to identify and support promising early-stage technology startups. She is responsible for sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities, providing strategic guidance to portfolio companies, and driving value creation through hands-on operational support.
Experience Summary
Current Role
Priyanka joined Rackhouse Venture Capital in September 2024 as a Tech Entrepreneur and Investor. In this role, she is responsible for managing a diverse portfolio of technology startups, providing strategic insights, and leveraging her entrepreneurial experience to help founders scale their businesses. Her key achievements include securing $25M in follow-on funding for two portfolio companies and driving a 30% increase in revenue for a SaaS startup through operational optimization.
Career Progression
Prior to her current role, Priyanka co-founded Zequality, a B2B software solution for the healthcare industry, where she served as CEO from 2021 to 2024. Under her leadership, Zequality secured $7.5M in Series A funding and expanded its customer base by 200%, establishing the company as a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology. Before founding Zequality, Priyanka held various strategic and operational roles at Yext, a leading digital knowledge management platform, where she contributed to the company's product development, sales enablement, and growth initiatives.
Earlier in her career, Priyanka gained experience in investment banking and venture capital, having worked as an Analyst at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey and Leerink Partners, as well as a Summer Analyst at AlphaPrime Ventures.
Academic Background
Priyanka holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated magna cum laude and was recognized as a Presidential Scholar.
Areas of Expertise
- Venture capital and early-stage technology investments
- Startup growth strategy and operational optimization
- Product development and go-to-market execution
- Sales enablement and revenue generation
- Financial modeling and capital raising
Professional Impact
Priyanka's entrepreneurial ventures and investment activities have had a significant impact on the technology ecosystem. She has been recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and has served as a mentor and advisor to numerous early-stage startups. Priyanka's thought leadership has been featured in leading industry publications, and she is an active speaker at technology conferences and events.
Conclusion
With her diverse background, Priyanka Rao is a dynamic and impactful leader in the tech industry. As a Tech Entrepreneur and Investor at Rackhouse Venture Capital, she is poised to continue driving innovation and creating value for the startups and investors she works with.
