The BFM Fund

Our #AtlantaBlackTech community is truly inspirational, and Rachel Wilson is a shining example of this excellence. With over a decade of diverse global experience across multiple industries—Food & Beverage, Automotive, Tech, Healthcare, Music, Fashion, and Media—Rachel has made significant strides in her career. As the Managing Partner of The BFM Fund, she has orchestrated the fund's operational and governance processes. Previously, Rachel led operations for Collab Capital, a diverse-led fund with $80 million in assets under management. In her role, she excelled in investor relations, fund reporting oversight, impact metrics strategy, and comprehensive governance responsibilities, including legal and HR management. Rachel holds a B.A. in Economics & Business from Agnes Scott College and an M.S. in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is also bilingual in Japanese, じゃあね! In addition to her impressive professional achievements, Rachel is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion in the venture capital landscape. She serves as a board member of Black Women in Venture Capital, supporting careers and access to capital networks for over 300 members. She is recognized as a NAIC Women in Alternatives UP Fellow and Co-Lead for Living Cities Inclusive Capital Council. Recently, Rachel and the BFM Fund were selected to join the Catalyze fund fellowship and were one of six funds nationally to receive IIE.VC funding. Beyond her venture capital work, Rachel is the Chairwoman and Executive Director at Omnis Health Life and Wellness Center. Here, she has secured over $450K in grant funds and enhanced productivity by implementing a behavioral health revenue model. Her excellence in leading two remote projects, including one international, has optimized operations and earned her multiple awards such as the President’s Award for Operational Excellence, GreenIQ Platinum Award, and Gold Awards for two global sites. Rachel's dedication to operational excellence and her strategic vision have left an indelible mark across various industries, making her a true trailblazer and a source of inspiration for our community. Meet other dope people from our community at The Collective Pre-Juneteenth Tech Happy Hour, hosted at The Gathering Spot in Atlanta! https://lu.ma/sfm8j8rp

?? Announcing an opportunity to learn more about America's Seed Fund and join the tour with a welcome panel hosted by Founders and Funders of Color in Atlanta. Welcome reception on 5/13 and opportunity for 1-on-1 technical assistance on 5/14. The Welcome Panel on the evening of May 13th will include a reception and panel hosted by Aloe Blacc and include program managers coming to the ATL with America's Seed Fund Road Tour. Thank you to Tina Dorr, Maria Pope, Carta and the Barnes & Thornburg LLP ATL for your generous sponsorship. Signup here: https://lu.ma/7w8iysh8 Our event is part of a national outreach effort to connect innovators and entrepreneurs to non-dilutive, technology funding opportunities provided through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, known as "America's Seed Fund." May 14th: 8AM to 12:30 Federal Agency representatives will be available in Atlanta to meet with companies attending the event to help attendees navigate over $4 billion in early-stage funding opportunities available through America's Seed Fund. Register to have 1-1 meetings with grant agencies in Atlanta at the Woodruff Library. Thank you to UGA's Innovation Gateway, the Center for Black Entrepreneurship, and the Small Business Deevelopment Center at Morehouse for cohosting the 5/14 day. Sign up for your 1x1 session here: https://lnkd.in/ed4TYyfS Thank you to Himalaya Rao-Potlapally, Vanessa Villaverde, Grant Muhoozi Warner, Marvin A. Fran?ois, CFA, Ariel Lopez, Shila Nieves Burney ????, Rachel Wilson, Kris Hale, Mikel Thomas, OLY, Willie Williams, Justin Dawkins, Jay Bailey, Yvonne Chang Hobby, Jarrett Hines, Nathan Meyer, Khadijah Robinson, Naana Frimpong, Melissa R. Brogdon, Barbara Jones-Brown, Jessica Brooks Woods CEO, MPM, PHR, Jessica Vargas, Sarah McCool , PhD, Joel Alvarado, MPA, Eric Scott, Sarah Marske, Tiffany Rogers Bussey, Helen Adeosun, Shane Orange, Brooke Hill, Qaadirah Abdur-Rahim, Wanona Satcher, Kike Oduba, MD, MPH, Patricia Kelly Marsh, MD, Yvonne Dragon, Edward Lai, MPH, and our ATL entrepreneurship family for getting the word out!

IIE.VC ‘GP Subsidy Pilot’ Recipient Spotlight: The BFM Fund ?? Team: Himalaya Rao-Potlapally, Managing Partner; Rachel Wilson, Managing Partner ?? HQ: Oregon ??SSBCI allocation: TBA ?? Investing primarily in Black-led series seed to series c industry-specific ventures ??On behalf of IIE.VC, congrats to Himalaya, Rachel and the BFM Fund! ?? About the program: IIE.VC's GP Launch Expense Subsidy Pilot is addressing the entrepreneurial challenges emerging managers face in navigating the startup expenses of launching funds by awarding flexible subsidies of up to $50,000 to underrepresented emerging VCs. Subsidies can cover a range of launch expenses, including legal, accounting, and operating costs.

??We're celebrating a major milestone for VC University: five years of empowering new and aspiring investors! Launched in 2019, VC University is jointly produced by Venture Forward, National Venture Capital Association, and Berkeley Law Executive Education, with a mission to democratize access to venture capital education. To date, we've empowered over 3,700 diverse participants across 15 sold-out cohorts. Dive deeper into our program, learn about our impact, and meet some of our incredible alumni? - here's to another five years! ?? https://lnkd.in/gNSvsfSV ??Tiq Chapa, L'ATTITUDE VENTURES ??Virginia C., GrantVEST ??Daniel Dart, Rock Yard Ventures ??Su Chuen Foo, Avivar Capital ??Brian Gibbs, Pappas Capital ??Margarita Hernandez, PhD, 4th Purpose Energy|4M ??Victoria Kennedy, Seed to Harvest Ventures ??Jonathan King, Coinbase Ventures ??Mariah "Roman" Lichtenstern, DiverseCity Ventures ??Sidney Nakahodo, Seldor Capital ??Lyncy Nyandoche, Amex Ventures ??Lebone C. Moses, Chisara Ventures, Inc, GIV Capital ??Hector Ramos, ICA Fund ??Himalaya Rao-Potlapally, The BFM Fund ??Ayo Roberts, Sonder Capital ??Aya Spencer, Kapor Capital

This was a fun one. Terry Collins of USA TODAY visited Austin during SXSW to ask why more leaders from #tech aren't running for #politics. Treble connected him with Brian Cruver of Scorability, Pascal Yammine of Zilliant, Katina Kenyon of Applaudo, Aaron Allsbrook of ClearBlade, Ben Chapman of Vital Interaction, Himalaya Rao-Potlapally and Rachel Wilson of The BFM Fund and Pilar Johnson of Debut Capital for some candid discussions over the course of two days. Fantastic article. #leadership #entrepreneur #innovation

As we celebrate #WomensHistoryMonth we are spotlighting exceptional funds and fund managers that are changing the face of the alternative investment industry. The BFM Fund, led by Himalaya Rao-Potlapally, is fundamentally diversifying the face of entrepreneurship and helping bring solutions to life that solve problems for underserved consumers and communities. This returns-focused, seed-stage investment fund seeks innovative and scalable ventures led by brilliant Black entrepreneurs. Join us in cheering on this outstanding #VCI alumna as she makes history! #womeninfinance #womeninvestors #genderequality #vc #pe #dei #diversityandinclusion #impactinvesting #esg #fundmanagers #venturecapital #DiversityInVC?#ImpactinAction #emergingmanagers #alternateinvestments