Rachel X. Zhao

Rachel X. Zhao is a Principal at PayPal Ventures based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In her current capacity, she focuses on platform development, go-to-market execution, and portfolio value creation for growth-stage enterprise and fintech investments, working closely with companies such as Extend, Forage, and Jetty. Prior to joining PayPal Ventures, Zhao directed the largest global insurtech accelerator program at Plug and Play Tech Center. During her tenure there, she managed an ecosystem of nearly 300 startup companies, guiding founders through fundraising strategies, contract negotiations, compliance requirements, and international expansion efforts. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 2016 and previously scaled multiple early-stage startup projects across the media, healthcare, and retail sectors in her hometown. Zhao currently concentrates on scaling operations and supporting founders within the fintech, commerce enablement, cybersecurity, and vertical SaaS ecosystems.