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 The ground breaker. The memoir, published on February 23, 2026, traces Rekhi’s journey from a young graduate student at Michigan to the first Indian-American founder to take a venture-backed company public on the NASDAQ, then goes further and shares the hard-learned 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 her dedication to helping others that defines her legacy today. Despite facing cultural barriers early in the world of technology, Rekhi not only built and led successful companies such as Excelan, a pioneering networking company in Silicon Valley, but also co-founded TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs), a global organization that supports and advises 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-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 U.S. Air Force and Navy, Rekhi realized that traditional corporate ladders offered limited opportunities for Indian-American engineers at the time. Undeterred, he bet on himself and launched 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 listing the company on the NASDAQ, a major milestone for non-white tech founders in the U.S. His success broke ceilings and helped reshape the expectations of 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 success story; It is a guide to mindset and perseverance. Drawing on decades of experience, he advocates qualities such as humility, adaptive leadership and continuous learning. One of its key messages, that you must prove yourself even if no one initially believes in you, resonates deeply with aspiring entrepreneurs facing self-doubt or lack of access to traditional paths. What makes The Ground Breaker particularly compelling is how Rekhi balances personal trials with practical wisdom. She speaks openly about the loneliness of forging new paths when mentors and role models are scarce, and how creating support structures like TiE became a response to that gap. The book combines memoir with mentorship, offering readers not only a story but also ideas they can apply to their businesses and lives.Beyond the book, Rekhi’s continued work with TiE and other mentoring efforts demonstrate her commitment to taking advantage of the opportunities she created. By investing in startups across sectors, from early-stage technology to scalable innovations, he has helped founders overcome challenges that once hindered their early careers. His mentorship is not theoretical but deeply based on real business experience, and often focuses on helping others avoid the setbacks he encountered. Rekhi’s journey reflects a broader trend in the entrepreneurial ecosystem where experienced founders become ecosystem builders, not just investors. This community-oriented approach allows the next generation of innovators to scale ideas faster and with more support than previous generations. It’s a cycle of innovation and contribution that has implications far beyond Silicon Valley, resonating in cities and startup hubs around the world.
Takeaways from Kanwal Rekhi Success Story
What makes Rekhi’s book and mission particularly relevant in 2026 is the changing landscape of entrepreneurship itself. Economies around the world are recognizing that diversity in leadership drives better results, and stories like Rekhi’s show how immigrant founders have historically contributed disproportionately to breakthrough innovation.In an era full of business advice, personal narratives that combine authentic experiences with actionable strategies, like The Ground Breaker, offer guidance that is both relatable and informed. Rekhi’s transition from founder to mentor reflects a growing consensus that business success is not a solo sport; thrives within networks of support, access to capital and shared knowledge, a trend increasingly visible in global startup ecosystems. Kanwal Rekhi’s book, The Ground Breaker, summarizes his journey from immigrant student to NASDAQ-listed technology founder and now mentor to thousands of people. Their story reflects innovation, resilience, and the importance of mentorship in building sustainable business communities. Through organizations like TiE, Rekhi continues to empower founders and investors alike, multiplying their impact far beyond their own companies. Their message resonates in a world where inclusive support and shared knowledge increasingly define how and why success happens.