Female Founder Spotlight: In Conversation with

Meet Priyanka Thakrar, the founder of Riva, a pioneering venture dedicated to setting a new standard for postnatal care through comprehensive, expert-led, and community-driven support. With a background in finance from Goldman Sachs and KSL Capital Partners, and a passion for women’s health, Priyanka has applied the skills she honed in the corporate world to an industry desperately needing innovation.

We had the pleasure of speaking with Priyanka about her transition from private equity to entrepreneurship, the challenges of fundraising in an unconventional space, and her vision for the future of postnatal care.

FC: You had an impressive career at Goldman Sachs. How do you view your time there compared to what you’re doing now?

PT:
I absolutely loved my time in finance. I started my career at Goldman, where I spent most of my time in real estate investing, and later moved to KSL. Both environments were high-pressure and fast-paced, but what stood out most was how supported I felt.

That early foundation—learning to stay calm under pressure, make thoughtful decisions, and lead collaboratively—has shaped how I show up as a founder. Startups can be messy and unpredictable by nature. You have to create momentum, adapt quickly, and build a culture where people feel ownership and trust one another, and feel energised by what you’re all building together!

FC: Fundraising isn’t always straightforward. How have you found the process?

PT:
Fundraising is a journey like no other. Women’s health is gaining exciting momentum, while real estate often attracts more traditional capital. And here we are, sitting at the intersection of both.

What resonates with investors is being able to tell a compelling story—one that clearly conveys the motivation behind Riva, connects them with the scale of the problem, and builds trust that I’m the right person to deliver the solution.

Riva tackles a critical gap in women’s wellness by improving maternal health—physically, mentally, and socially—while strengthening family foundations. The statistics are alarming:

85% of women face postpartum mental health challenges, with half of postnatal depression cases going undiagnosed.
One in three families experience birth trauma.
The UK has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates globally, with 80% of women stopping earlier than planned due to lack of support.

FC: Entrepreneurship is known for its unpredictability. Have you faced any unexpected challenges?

PT:
Absolutely, there have been plenty of unexpected twists. One that really sticks with me is our first community event. Two days before, we hadn’t sold as many tickets as we’d hoped. We decided to get scrappy and tried a new approach to direct marketing.

Within hours, we sold out. Then, just as we were catching our breath, our furniture provider fell through. I spent the day before the event borrowing tables and chairs from pubs, cafés, and hotels—literally carrying heavy wooden tables up and down flights of stairs.

It wasn’t smooth, but we adapted, we hustled, and we pulled off something really meaningful. Those people have since become part of our community, and I care deeply about their journeys.

FC: If you were speaking to a room full of young female entrepreneurs, what advice would you give them?

PT:
Community, community, community. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, champion you, and hold space for both your ambition and your doubts. That includes your skeptics too—those who push you to think outside the box.

You’ll mess up. Not just once. And you’ll feel embarrassed sometimes—I definitely have. But those moments aren’t failures to hide; they’re lessons to share. And often, they’re the very things that make you a better builder, leader, and human.

FC: How have you found working with FounderCatalyst?

PT:
I was introduced to Sam early on in my journey. While I wasn’t quite ready to sign up at the time, I knew I wanted to work with him and FounderCatalyst.

Sam is incredibly direct—no nonsense, no fluff—and I really appreciated that. He’s also a genuine advocate for female founders, and the FounderCatalyst community reflects that. It’s not just about getting SEIS advanced assurance or preparing documents; it’s about building a network of founders who support each other.

FC: What’s next for you and Riva?

PT:
We’re at an exciting, pivotal point. We’re fundraising to bring Riva’s first physical space to life—a place where new mothers don’t just ‘figure it out’ but flourish with expert guidance.

From lactation specialists helping navigate feeding decisions to doulas providing hands-on support for postpartum healing and pain management, to nutritionists ensuring proper nourishment for recovery, our goal is to create a comprehensive, supportive environment for new mothers.

FC: Your passion is undeniable. What drives you to keep going?

PT:
This is more than a business for me—it’s a mission. It’s what brings me fulfilment. Leaving a stable career that I loved for something uncertain is terrifying, but I know this is where I’m meant to be.

What keeps me going is the impact we can have. Every conversation I have, every woman who says, ‘I wish this existed when I had my baby,’ reminds me that we’re onto something important.

We’re incredibly excited to see where Priyanka takes Riva next. Her resilience, passion, and commitment to community are what make her a true force in the female founder space.

If you’d like to follow Riva’s journey, stay tuned for updates on their upcoming fundraising round and future events on their Instagram or website.

Author: Gideon Stott, Digital Marketing Executive at FounderCatalyst

Links:

Female Founder Spotlight: In Conversation with Priyanka Thakrar, Founder of Riva Wellness