Rishi Taparia

Rishi Taparia is the Co-Founder and General Partner at Garuda Ventures, a firm he established in 2018 to focus on early-stage investments in sectors such as software, fintech, e-commerce, cybersecurity, and climate technology. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taparia has a diverse professional background that includes significant roles in various tech companies and investment firms.

Professional Background

• Garuda Ventures: Since its inception, Garuda has transitioned from a micro fund to a full-time venture capital firm, successfully raising a $31 million fund in 2021. The firm is dedicated to providing both capital and strategic support to early-stage startups.245

• Previous Roles: Before founding Garuda, Taparia held key positions at several companies:

  • Legion Technologies: He served as the Senior Vice President of Strategy and Operations, contributing to the launch of new products and raising significant capital.
  • Poynt: As Vice President of Business Operations, he played a crucial role in scaling the company and facilitating its acquisition by GoDaddy for $365 million in 2021.
  • Matrix Partners and Scale Venture Partners: He worked as an investor, where he notably sourced the seed investment in Canva, which has grown to a valuation of around $40 billion.345

Education and Personal Life

Rishi Taparia graduated with honors from Northwestern University. He resides in Orinda, California, with his wife and two children, and he has previously lived in cities such as Jakarta, Chicago, and New York City.14

His extensive experience in both operational and investment roles has positioned him as a knowledgeable figure in the startup ecosystem, particularly in supporting founders through their entrepreneurial journeys.