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 

  • Co-Founder

    2023 - Current

    Join a Group, Start a Group - around your interests! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/zeal-activities-with-friends/id6446917140

  • 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.

  • Chief Operating Officer (COO)

    2017 - 2018

    Oversaw Marketing/Communications, Sales, Customer Service, Insurance Operations & Payment Integrity at Data-first Medicare Advantage plan. Led Company's strategic planning and OKR process. Helped to drive HEDIS gap closures and improvements in MLR.

Clover is a healthcare technology company helping members live their healthiest lives with its Medicare Advantage plans.

Raised $1,625,000,000.00 from Jennison Associates, Perceptive Advisors, Senator Investment Group and Fidelity.

  • 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.

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