Priya Guha MBE

Former diplomat Priya Guha is a Venture Partner at Merian Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in women-led innovation. 

Previously she was the Ecosystem General Manager for RocketSpace, a company that helps tech startups grow their business. Prior to entering the tech sector, Priya was British Consul General in San Francisco, the latest role in an international diplomatic career that had previously taken in postings in New Delhi and Madrid.

Priya focuses on the importance of innovation and examines how technological advances are changing the nature of bureaucratic and governmental structures. As well as looking at how the most advanced companies in the world operate, and influence, she also examines the intersection of technology and politics, from the nature of regulation to the political use of social media.

Priya also discusses the Western-centricity of the digital transformation, as well the complexity of regulating data in a global context. She considers how strong leadership traits have changed, something that is particularly noticeable in Silicon Valley. She stresses that modern innovation comes from creativity and diversity, and understanding this shift in culture is a key ingredient to good leadership.

As well as her role at the pioneering California-based VC, Priya is a member of the Innovate UK Council and the Adjunct Faculty at the Ashridge Hult Business School. She holds Non-Executive Director positions within both the UK's innovation agency, Digital Catapult, as well as GB Badminton. In addition, she is on the Advisory Board of Tech London Advocates and Chairs the Board of Trustees of Modern Muse, a charity empowering girls to make more informed career decisions, to increase diversity in the workplace, and close the gender pay gap. Priya has been named in the Top 50 Most Influential Women in UK Tech.