Padma Rao Joins Foundation Capital as Entrepreneur in Residence

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Foundation Capital today announced Padma Rao will join the firm as an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR). Rao comes from Zynga, where she built the company's marketing practice from 2009 to 2011. In addition to having experience in marketing, Rao has also held several engineering roles at Alcatel-Lucent, Calix Networks and Georgia Tech Research Institute.

With a background in both marketing and engineering, Rao comes to Foundation Capital with a diverse range of technical and creative expertise. She will leverage this hybrid experience and offer a unique view of the startup landscape and broadening the firm's perspective on emerging technologies.

“I'm very passionate about the innovation and entrepreneurial process. At Foundation Capital, I will have the opportunity to take advantage of the firm's deep relationships across the industry, as well as its prolific deal flow, to analyze the technology landscape from a unique perspective,” said Rao. “In the interview process, it became clear that Foundation Capital would be the best ‘thought partner' for me as I learn what makes a successful business: not only are the partners on the front lines of innovation, but are also highly involved in the companies in which they invest and have a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the startup world.”

“Foundation Capital seeks entrepreneurs in residence with both a breadth of knowledge and depth of enthusiasm, qualities that we look for in our own portfolio companies,” said Charles Moldow, general partner at Foundation Capital. “We're excited to have Padma Rao join the team and believe that her cross-industry comprehension as well as her experience – which ranges from chips to consumer goods – will be a major asset to identify promising startups.”

Rao's previous experience includes work for Netflix, where she was a senior marketing manager, and Gap Inc., where she ran the customer analytics team. At the start of her career, Rao worked for Georgia Tech Research Institute as a database architect and web developer, where she centralized the juvenile court system for the state of Georgia.

About Foundation Capital

At Foundation Capital, we're dedicated to the proposition that one entrepreneur's idea, with the right support, can become a business that changes the world. We helped Atheros create the mobile Internet, EnerNOC invent the energy demand response market, and Netflix revolutionize media distribution and consumption, among many others. We're currently invested in more than 70 high growth ventures in the areas of consumer, information technology, software, semiconductors, and clean technology. Recent public offerings of companies we helped found or grow include Reponsys, Financial Engines and Envestnet. For more information, please visit www.foundationcapital.com.