At 80 years old, 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 The Ground Breaker. 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 public on the NASDAQ, then goes further, sharing the hard-earned lessons he now uses to help other entrepreneurs thrive.Rekhi’s story embodies classic elements of the American Dream including discipline, innovation and resilience but it is his dedication to lifting others that defines his legacy today. Despite facing early cultural barriers in the tech world, Rekhi went on not only to build and lead successful ventures like Excelan, a networking pioneer in Silicon Valley, but also to co-found TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs), a global organisation that supports and mentors entrepreneurs around the world. Through TiE, he has invested in over 200 startups and counselled more than 10,000 founders, a testament to his belief that success is most meaningful when shared.
Kanwal Rekhi: From humble beginnings to high tech
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 to NASA and working on flight-simulator technology for the US Air Force and Navy, Rekhi realised traditional corporate ladders offered limited opportunities for Indian-American engineers at that time. Undeterred, he bet on himself, launching Excelan at a time when the idea of networking computers was still cutting-edge. Under his leadership, Excelan grew rapidly and five years after its founding, Rekhi made history by taking the company public on the NASDAQ, a major milestone for non-white tech founders in the US. His success broke ceilings and helped reshape expectations for immigrant entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley long before multicultural leadership became a rallying cry.
The Ground Breaker: Kanwal Rekhi’s book born of lessons and purpose
The Ground Breaker, Rekhi’s memoir, is not just a narrative of success; it is a guide to mindset and perseverance. Drawing on decades of experience, he advocates for qualities like humility, adaptive leadership and continuous learning. One of his key messages, that you need to prove your worth even if no one initially believes in you, resonates deeply with aspiring entrepreneurs who face doubt or lack of access to traditional paths. What makes The Ground Breaker particularly compelling is how Rekhi balances personal trials with practical wisdom. He openly discusses the loneliness of forging new paths when mentors and role models are scarce and how creating supportive structures like TiE became an answer to that gap. The book blends memoir with mentorship, offering readers not only a story but also insights they can apply to their ventures and lives.Beyond the book, Rekhi’s ongoing work with TiE and other mentoring efforts demonstrate his commitment to pay forward the opportunities he carved out. By investing in startups across sectors, from early-stage tech to scalable innovations, he has helped founders navigate challenges that once hampered his own early career. His mentorship is not theoretical but deeply grounded in real business experience, often focused on helping others avoid the setbacks he encountered. Rekhi’s journey reflects a broader trend in the entrepreneurial ecosystem where seasoned founders become ecosystem builders, not just investors. This community-oriented approach empowers the next generation of innovators to scale ideas faster and with more support than previous generations had. It is a cycle of innovation and contribution that has implications far beyond Silicon Valley, resonating in cities and startup hubs worldwide.
Takeaways from Kanwal Rekhi’s success story
What makes Rekhi’s book and mission particularly relevant in 2026 is the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship itself. Economies around the world are recognising that diversity in leadership drives better outcomes and stories like Rekhi’s showcase how immigrant founders have historically contributed disproportionately to breakthrough innovation.In an era overflowing with business advice, personal narratives that pair authentic experience with actionable strategies, like The Ground Breaker, offer guidance that feels both relatable and grounded. Rekhi’s transition from founder to mentor reflects a growing consensus that entrepreneurial success is not a solo sport; it thrives within networks of support, capital access and shared knowledge, a trend increasingly visible in global startup ecosystems. Kanwal Rekhi’s book The Ground Breaker encapsulates his journey from immigrant student to NASDAQ-listed tech founder and now mentor to thousands. His story reflects innovation, resilience and the importance of mentorship in building sustainable entrepreneurial communities. Through organisations like TiE, Rekhi continues to empower founders and investors alike, multiplying his impact far beyond his own ventures. His message resonates in a world where inclusive support and shared knowledge increasingly define how and why success happens.
