Rahul Raj

Rahul Raj is a dedicated professional motivated to help challenger brands succeed. As the Founder and CMO of 5&Vine, he assists ambitious founders in building, launching, and growing businesses that disrupt industries and contribute positively to society. With a background in various leadership roles, including as the VP of Marketing & E-Commerce at ecobee and as the Director of Sustainability + Merchandising Innovation at Walmart eCommerce, Rahul has a proven track record of transforming brands and driving significant growth. His strategic insights have helped partners secure over $1 billion in follow-on financing, with two companies even going public. Rahul's expertise extends to developing effective strategies for challenger brands to compete against industry incumbents, a skill honed during his tenure at ecobee where he played a pivotal role in elevating the brand to become the #2 thermostat brand in North America. Prior to his work at ecobee, Rahul spearheaded innovative projects at Walmart's incubator in San Francisco, where he revolutionized the concept of refurbishing products to create a lucrative revenue stream from customer returns. His remarkable contributions earned him prestigious accolades, including the Walmart Innovation Champion Award and recognition from the Aspen Institute and GOOD magazine. Rahul's commitment to social impact dates back to his teenage years when he founded Meal Exchange, an organization dedicated to fostering healthy, just, and sustainable food systems across Canada, earning acclaim from TIME magazine as a revolutionary initiative. Alongside his work at 5&Vine, Rahul is actively involved in mentoring and inspiring budding entrepreneurs through various platforms, such as the Aspen First Movers fellowship, First Round Capital, Tech Stars, and the University of Toronto's Venture Mentoring Program, among others. He has also shared his insights on Challenger Thinking in a TEDx talk.