Vishal Rao

Vishal Rao is a highly accomplished angel investor and advisory CTO based in Austin, Texas, known for his deep operational expertise in scaling technology companies. With a distinguished career that includes CTO roles at prominent firms such as BigCommerce, RetailMeNot, and Bazaarvoice, Rao brings invaluable hands-on experience in product development, engineering, and strategic growth to his portfolio companies. His investment thesis is heavily influenced by his background, focusing primarily on B2B SaaS, enterprise software, e-commerce platforms, and companies leveraging data and AI. He leverages his extensive experience to identify and nurture high-potential startups within these sectors.

Rao typically targets early-stage opportunities, often participating in Seed and Series A rounds, where he can provide significant strategic and technical guidance beyond just capital. His portfolio is extensive and impressive, comprising over 40 investments according to Crunchbase, many of which have achieved substantial success through IPOs or acquisitions. Notable investments include pre-IPO participation in DocuSign, early backing of HomeAway (acquired by Expedia), RetailMeNot (acquired by Harland Clarke for $630 million), and Bazaarvoice (IPO). Other significant companies in his portfolio include WP Engine, A Cloud Guru (acquired by Pluralsight), SparkCognition, and Cart.com, demonstrating a keen eye for disruptive technologies and scalable business models.

As an advisory CTO, Rao actively mentors founders on critical aspects of technology architecture, team building, and operational efficiency, helping them navigate the complexities of rapid growth. His involvement often extends to advising on strategic partnerships and exit opportunities, leveraging his extensive network and experience from multiple successful ventures. This hands-on approach, combined with his track record of identifying high-potential startups, positions Vishal Rao as a highly sought-after angel investor in the technology ecosystem, particularly for founders building robust B2B solutions.