Meet Rasya Ramakrishnan | Founder & Managing Partner at Girls Fund the World

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rasya Ramakrishnan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rasya, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
“Now, 6.6% of Fortune 500 companies have women CEOs!”

Reading this newspaper on the breakfast table, my 12-year-old self was too young to understand corporate hierarchies; however, even she knew 6.6% was not something to celebrate.

I paused mid-spoon, my eyes narrowing at the number. Something about it felt wrong. My brother, noticing my silent frustration, leaned over the table and pointed out that ironically, women-run companies average 34% higher ROI according to Harvard Business Review.

That day, I promised to rewrite this narrative, discovering my lifelong purpose that turned me into the woman I am today.

On my 13th birthday, I opened a custodial account. With $500 from my parents, I invested in the stock market, focusing on women-led companies. Through independent research, I created an investment thesis integrating financial statements with psychological qualities that often make women effective leaders.

Excited by my stock returns, I was motivated to share my thesis, offering consultations and charging fees based on portfolio sizes. I eventually raised $10K, attracting more clients than expected. As this initiative grew, I realized my true passion lay not in profit but in impact.

To scale my efforts in a structured manner, I founded Girls Fund the World with the motto “2% is the tip of the iceberg”. Launching in 2024, I reallocated 100% of my advisory revenue and stock returns to write pre-seed checks for women-run companies. Additionally, I host founder spotlights and write guides on crafting pitches, networking with investors, and breaking into venture capital.

After five years, I am most proud of this journey because I discovered what gets me out of bed every morning: supporting minorities to thrive against the odds.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Girls Who Fund the World is the first-ever student-run fund dedicated to providing funding and resources to women founders who are often overlooked in the venture capital space. What sets us apart is our community of support and mentorship beyond the checks. We started out by advising the community yo now and investing in women founders across the U.S., empowering the next generation of women entrepreneurs. We’ve helped over 30 women founders and connected with thousands more through our online platform and weekly spotlights.

Getting to this point wasn’t easy, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. The biggest challenge has been navigating a space where women historically have had to fight for a seat at the table.

Overcoming these challenges meant finding creative solutions. I had to become comfortable advocating for myself and for others in rooms where I wasn’t always expected. I’ve learned to not let a lack of representation define what I could achieve. I had amazing mentors who helped me navigate tough situations and grow as both a leader and an advocate.

If there’s one message I’d want the world to know, it’s that investing in women is not just a matter of fairness, but a matter of amplifying silenced voices. Our stories are powerful, and our impact is limitless. Girls Who Fund the World is a movement to change the narrative around who gets to succeed in business. We’re here to show that girls with dreams can—and will—shape the future of entrepreneurship.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting the area for a week, I’d make sure to plan an itinerary packed with all the things that make Dallas special. We’d kick off the trip with a magical evening at the Dallas Lantern Festival. As someone whose favorite movie is Tangled, there’s nothing quite like watching hundreds of lanterns float into the night sky. It’s an unforgettable experience that feels like stepping right into the movie. The next day, we’d head to the iconic Stockyards in Fort Worth, where we’d spend the afternoon exploring the rich history of Dallas and maybe even catch a rodeo show. If we’re up for a scenic drive, the gondola rides in Irving are a must. Gliding along the canals as the sun sets is the perfect way to soak in the beautiful views and share some amazing conversations.

When it comes to food, we’d have no shortage of amazing options, but we’d have to start with our world-famous Tex-Mex. I’d take my friend to one of the best spots in town for some sizzling fajitas with a side of chips and queso. Tex-Mex is a must for anyone visiting Dallas! And because variety makes everything better, I’d make sure to take them to Delucca Gaucho, the hidden gem all-you-can-eat pizza place. They serve everything from traditional pizzas to delicious dessert options, so you get both your meal and dessert in one place. Each day would have its own blend of adventure, delicious food, and cherished moments, making it the perfect way to show off the best that Dallas has to offer!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to start by thanking my family for always believing in me and investing in my dreams so that I could invest in others. When I was just a little girl with big dreams, they gave me $500, believing in the power of what it could become. That seed money grew into something far beyond what I ever imagined, and now, writing $25,000 checks to women founders is a dream come true. I’m also deeply grateful to my mentor, Kat Weaver, the founder of Power to Pitch, who inspired me when she shared that only 2% of all venture capital in the U.S. and Europe went to women founders in 2023. That statistic is what pushed me to take action. I wanted to be part of changing that story, to make sure women founders have the resources they need to succeed. This journey started with a dream, but it’s always been about something bigger—helping women break barriers and invest in their own futures.

Website: https://girlsfundtheworld.com

Instagram: @girls.fund.the.world

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/girls-fund-the-world/

Youtube: @girlsfundtheworld