Kanwal Rekhi’s Journey from $8 Immigrant to Silicon Valley Mentor

Kanwal Rekhi grew up in a very large refugee family with little money.

As a child, he helped his mother manage the family budget.

People thought he was weak and would not achieve much, but he worked hard and entered IIT Bombay.

In 1967, he moved to the United States with just $8.

He became an engineer and later helped start a technology company called Excelan.

Excelan became a public company, making Rekhi one of the first Indian-American technology founders to achieve that milestone.

He then helped create TiE, an organization that connects entrepreneurs with mentors and investors.

Rekhi also gives money and advice to students and startup founders, especially in India.

He continues mentoring entrepreneurs and supporting rural startups at the age of 81.