A group of Indian immigrants who came from technical roles at Oracle and Google have gone on to found and lead some of Silicon Valley’s top enterprise software startups, including Nutanix, Glean, and Rubrik. These companies have seen significant success and have combined market values in the tens of billions. The founders of these companies, including Anshu Sharma, Bipul Sinha, and Dheeraj Pandey, came together in the mid-2000s for a crash course in business fundamentals and have since gone on to achieve major milestones in the tech industry.
Rubrik, a data security provider, recently priced its IPO at $32 with a valuation of $5.6 billion, making it a rare success story in a challenging market. The founders of Rubrik, along with their investors, have celebrated this milestone as a significant achievement. This success is not the first for this group of highly technical immigrant founders, and they continue to work on new startups and support each other in their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Dubbed the “IIT Startup Mafia,” these founders have a unique background that includes admissions to prestigious Indian Institute of Technology schools and a strong immigrant work ethic. Despite facing challenges and adversity, they have persevered and achieved success in the competitive Silicon Valley tech industry. The founders have formed a close-knit community, investing in and advising each other’s companies and maintaining strong connections as they navigate the tech landscape.
The founders of Nutanix, Rubrik, and other startups have overcome initial skepticism as better engineers than businesspeople to forge successful companies. They have worked together, occasionally competed, and created a culture of support and mentorship within their community. By sharing their journeys and successes, they serve as role models for a new generation of Indian programmers and founders looking to make their mark in the tech industry.
The success of the Indian immigrant founders in Silicon Valley has challenged stereotypes and paved the way for others to follow in their footsteps. They have embraced mentorship from diverse sources and have worked to change the paradigm of who can succeed in the tech industry. By investing in and advising the next generation of founders, they are ensuring that the cycle of success continues and that more unicorns will emerge in the future.
As they continue to inspire and support each other, the founders of Nutanix, Rubrik, and other startups are looking towards the future with new ventures and opportunities. They are committed to giving back to the community and sharing their knowledge with aspiring entrepreneurs. With their combined experience, technical expertise, and entrepreneurial drive, they are proving that success can come from anywhere with the right combination of skills and opportunities.
