VR

Varsha Rao

Founder of Zeal

San Francisco, California

Overview 

Varsha Rao is the Co-Founder of Zeal and has held significant leadership roles at top companies like Airbnb as Head of Global Operations and Clover Health as Chief Operating Officer. She has been recognized as the Best Early Stage Investor by BI Seed 100 and has a track record of success in leading and growing various startups and companies through strategic planning and partnerships.

Work Experience 

  • Founder

    2024 - Current

    https://hellozeal.ai/

  • Executive Partner

    2022

Flare Capital Partners provides capital for early-stage and emerging healthcare technology companies.

  • Board of Directors

    2022

    Compensation Committee

  • Board Of Directors

    2017 - 2023

    Global Satellite Communications Company (VSAT), Chair of the Compensation Committee, member of Audit Committee

Viasat is a global communications company that offers satellite services.

Raised $3,154,505,782.00 from NASA.

  • CEO of Nurx (Acquired by Thirty Madison)

    2019 - 2022

    Led all team functions: Strategy, Business Operations, Human Resources, CS & Pharmacy, Legal/Regulatory, Clinical, Marketing/Comms, Product, Engineering & Finance to drive expansion of revenue from $20M in ARR to over $150M in ARR while increasing gross margins to over 50% and contributions margins to nearly 40% (from 0%). Led team to expand to being a women's telehealth platform adding dermatology, migraine and mental health services to augment core birth control offering. Led the Acquisition Process to Thirty Madison and 3x in valuation.

Nurx is a digital healthcare company offering 10 services across reproductive health, at-home testing, dermatology, migraine care, and more.

Raised $115,920,000.00 from Wittington Ventures, Comcast Ventures, Union Square Ventures, Trustbridge Partners, Kleiner Perkins, Union Square Ventures, Fifty Years, Reproductive Health Investors Alliance, Alumni Ventures and TriplePoint Capital.

  • Sequoia Capital Scout

    2017 - 2020

Sequoia Capital is a VC firm that invests in startups in the energy, financial, enterprise, healthcare, internet, and mobile industries.

  • Head of Global Operations

    2013 - 2016

    On the Estaff, reporting to CEO, Brian Chesky, lead global operations team consisting of local markets/offices around the world (Europe/EMEA, ANZ, Asia and Latam), Trust and Safety and Customer Experience organizations. Focus on setting strategic plans, developing OKRs, delivering on growth goals, hiring, coaching and building teams and scaling the organization to enable 10x growth over tenure. Served as Estaff champion for Asia/APAC - in particular China, Japan, India, Australia, Korea and SEA, served as interim country president for China. Focus on overall strategy and growth and driving execution through partnerships, hiring, marketing, supporting government relations/public policy teams. Advisor to Airbnb from January 2017 to September 2017

Lake Swan Properties is a holiday home rental company.

  • Senior Vice President, International (Acquired by Groupon)

    2011 - 2013

    Hired as the 1st employee in Asia and drove the growth and integration of businesses in Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia through hiring, partnerships/BD, marketing and sales. Explored opportunities for acquisitions and partnerships in Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India and China. Promoted to SVP International, and oversaw LivingSocial's International businesses across Asia, Europe, Australia/NZ and Latam. Lead a team of 2000+ employees with overall P&L responsibility.

LivingSocial provides an online local marketplace to buy and share things.

Raised $928,225,039.00 from U.S. Venture Partners, Amazon, T. Rowe Price, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Revolution, Grotech Ventures and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc..

  • Chief Executive Officer

    2008 - 2011

    Led all aspects of STDM including Marketing, Product Management, Technology, Sales, Content, Finance and Admin for Company. STDM is the publisher of inSing.com, Singapore's leading local search and lifestyle site, with user and expert reviews, business listings and editorial recommendations across Food & Drink, Shopping, Events, Movies, and Business Services. Available on web and mobile.

  • Vice President/GM of OldNavy.com

    2004 - 2008

    Led OldNavy.com, the ecommerce arm of the Old Navy Brand from 2006 to 2008. Grew overall business by 60% during tenure from quarter billion dollar base revenues to nearly half a billion dollars. Led business to deliver mid 20's retail and GM$ comps Managed marketing, merchandising, creative, financial planning, and production teams. Oversaw line reviews and product buying decisions and margin/gross profit management. In addition, oversaw online marketing and creative including website and weekly email messaging email file growth (lead gen) and worked in partnership with others on SEM, SEO, other customer acquisition, retention, customer life cycle management. DMM of Toddler for Baby Gap and Head of Strategy for Gap, Inc. Outlet reporting to President of Outlet division from 2004 to 2006.

The Gap is an American worldwide clothing and accessories retailer.

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