How this Indian-American millionaire broke barriers and is now teaching others how to win
At 80, Kanwal Rekhi, a self-made Indian-American millionaire, Silicon Valley pioneer and mentor to thousands, has chronicled his remarkable rise and lifelong mission to empower others in a new book titled Earth crusher. The memoir, released on February 23, 2026, charts Rekhi’s journey from a young graduate student in Michigan to the first Indian-American founder to take a venture-backed company on the Nasdaq, and then goes further, sharing the hard-earned lessons he now uses to help other entrepreneurs succeed.Rekhi’s story embodies the classic elements of the American Dream including discipline, innovation and resilience, but it is his dedication to uplifting others that defines his legacy today. Despite facing early cultural barriers in the world of technology, Rekhi not only went on to build and lead successful ventures like Excelan, a pioneering networking company in Silicon Valley, but also co-founded TiE (Indus Entrepreneurs), a global organization that supports and mentors entrepreneurs around the world.
Through TiE, he has invested in over 200 startups and advised over 10,000 founders, a testament to his belief that success is more meaningful when shared.
Kanwal Rekhi: From humble beginnings to high technology
Rekhi’s entrepreneurial arc began when he moved from Bombay (now Mumbai), India, to pursue a master’s degree in engineering at Michigan Tech in the late 1960s. After a stint supplying computers for NASA and working on flight simulation technology for the US Air Force and Navy, Rekhi realized that traditional corporate ladders offered limited opportunities for Indian-American engineers at that time.
Undeterred, he bet on himself and launched Excelan at a time when the idea of networked computers was still developing.
Under his leadership, Excelan grew rapidly and five years after its founding, Rekhi made history by going public on the NASDAQ, a major accomplishment for non-white technology founders in the United States. His success broke down barriers and helped reshape expectations for immigrant entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley long before multicultural leadership became a rallying cry.
Earthbreaker: Kanwal Rekhi’s book is born of lessons and purpose
The Ground Breaker, Rekhi’s memoir, is not just a success story; It’s a guide to mindset and perseverance. Drawing on decades of experience, he advocates qualities such as humility, adaptive leadership, and continuous learning. One of his key messages, that you need to prove your worth even if no one believes in you at first, resonates deeply with aspiring entrepreneurs facing doubt or inaccessibility along traditional paths.
What makes The Ground Breaker particularly compelling is how Rekhi balances personal experiences with practical wisdom. He candidly discusses the loneliness of forging new paths when mentors and role models are scarce, and how creating supportive structures like TiE has become the solution to this gap. Blending memoir and guidance, the book offers readers not only a story but also insights they can apply to their projects and lives.In addition to the book, Rekhi’s ongoing work with TiE and other mentoring efforts demonstrate his commitment to pushing forward the opportunities he’s been given. By investing in startups across sectors, from early-stage technology to scalable innovations, he helped founders overcome challenges that hindered his early career. His guidance is not theoretical but deeply rooted in real business experience, often focused on helping others avoid the setbacks he encountered.
Rekhi’s journey reflects a broader trend in the entrepreneurship ecosystem where seasoned founders are becoming ecosystem builders, not just investors. This community-oriented approach enables the next generation of innovators to scale ideas faster and with greater support than previous generations. It’s a cycle of innovation and contribution that has impacts far beyond Silicon Valley, reverberating in cities and startup hubs around the world.
Takeaways from Kanwal Rekhi’s success story
What makes Rekhi’s book and message particularly relevant in 2026 is the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship itself. Economies around the world are realizing that diversity in leadership leads to better outcomes, and stories like Rekhi’s showcase how immigrant founders have historically contributed disproportionately to breakthrough innovation.In an age overflowing with trading advice, personal narratives that combine authentic experience with actionable strategies, like The Ground Breaker, offer guidance that feels both relevant and grounded.
Rekhi’s transition from founder to mentor reflects a growing consensus that success in entrepreneurship is not an individual sport; They thrive within support networks, access to capital, and shared knowledge, a trend increasingly evident in global startup ecosystems.
Kanwal Rekhi’s book The Ground Breaker chronicles his journey from immigrant student to NASDAQ-listed technology founder and now mentor to thousands. His story reflects innovation, resilience, and the importance of mentorship in building sustainable entrepreneurial communities. Through organizations like TiE, Rekhi continues to empower founders and investors alike, amplifying his impact beyond his own projects.
His message resonates in a world where comprehensive support and shared knowledge increasingly determine how and why success happens.
