Private Investor, Former Advisor & Sales Engineering Executive at Tech Startups
Palo Alto, CA
Madhu Rao, a former Sales Engineering executive, has the experience of being at the forefront of significant technology waves, leading and building teams at successful Silicon Valley startups. She thrived in the energetic, creative, and chaotic startup environment and continues to stay engaged by investing in early-stage companies that excite her.
Born in London, Madhu did her schooling in India and Germany, obtaining a degree in civil engineering from the National Institute of Technology, India. She came to America for her graduate studies and obtained a Masters in Environmental Engineering and another Masters degree in Computer Science.
After 20 years in technology, Madhu spent the next decade being a full-time parent. She considers it her proudest accomplishment to be a mother to these two beautiful humans, who are now embarking on their own educational journeys. Her son will start his PhD in South Asian Philosophy & Religion, and her daughter is pursuing her BA in Psychology.
While an engineer by training, Madhu is a creative at heart. She invests in art, loves the beauty of form, and currently takes on interior design projects for friends and family. She also enjoys the outdoors. In addition to traveling and hiking around the world over the past year, she completed a 50-mile bike ride in Palm Springs. Madhu is a huge advocate for mental health and regularly responds to calls at the San Francisco Suicide Prevention Hotline.