Grishma Rao

With 15+ years of design experience, Grishma Rao works at IDEO’s Cambridge studio, where she drives innovative, human-centered futures. Specializing in emerging technologies like XR and machine learning, she excels at simplifying complex systems and solving actionable challenges. Grishma’s global experience spans Asia, Europe, and the US. Before IDEO, she co-founded a digital payments startup, taught UI/UX design in Mumbai, and launched The Knife and NH7, pioneering platforms for independent Indian music. Her work, featured in Fast Company, Forbes, and Vice, has earned accolades like the Core77 Design Award and Elle Fiction Award. A seasoned writer and speaker, she explores humanizing technology at international conferences and remains passionate about poetry, sci-fi, and music.