Money Moves with Neil Devani
Money Moves is the podcast about fundraising, investing, and building in the world of venture capital and startups. Hosted by Neil Devani, it's perfect for pre-seed founders, venture capitalists, and anyone interested in raising capital, making smart investments in new technologies, and building great businesses.
Each week, Neil and his guests share stories and practical advice from people who’ve successfully pitched ideas, closed investors, and navigated the acquisition process. From raising hundreds of millions of dollars to delivering 10x+ returns to investors, the achievements of our guests speak for themselves.
Join us on Money Moves to hear about their successes and failures in the world of venture capital investing and startups.
Money Moves with Neil Devani
008 On Building and Selling Rupa Health with Tara Viswanathan
In this episode of Money Moves, we sit down with Tara Viswanathan, co-founder of Rupa Health, to explore her journey from startup founder to health tech innovator. Tara brings a unique perspective on building a memorable company culture, sharing how costumes, humor, and spontaneity have helped shape Rupa’s identity and connected with audiences in unexpected ways. She explains how these personal touches became central to the Rupa Health brand, even influencing how they stood out at industry conferences.
We also dive into Tara’s unconventional approach to fundraising, discussing her path from the early pre-seed days through Rupa’s successful Series A. Tara shares insights into managing and connecting with remote teams, the process of achieving product-market fit just before the onset of COVID-19, and how personal brand-building has been a powerful asset for recruiting top talent.
In the final part of the episode, Tara reflects on the decision to sell Rupa Health, sharing the strategic considerations that went into making this choice for her team and the company’s future. Tara’s story is packed with actionable advice, making this episode a masterclass in navigating the highs and lows of the startup world.
Topics Discussed in the Episode:
- Building company culture through costumes, humor, and spontaneity
- Key fundraising strategies: from the early pre-seed days to a successful Series A
- Tara’s approach to finding product-market fit in a challenging health tech market
- The importance of personal brand-building and direct sales in recruiting top talent
- Decision-making around acquisitions and planning for the next chapter
Connect with Tara Viswanathan:
Tara Viswanathan - San Francisco, California, United States | Professional Profile | LinkedIn