Niraj Shah, cofounder and CEO of Wayfair, helped build one of the world’s largest online home-goods retailers by reimagining how furniture and décor are discovered, sold, and delivered at scale. Starting the business in 2002 as a collection of niche e-commerce sites, Shah guided Wayfair’s evolution into a vertically integrated platform spanning logistics, private labels, and global sourcing. Known for data-driven execution and long-term conviction, he has steered the company through rapid growth, a public listing, and the complexities of last-mile fulfillment in bulky goods, reshaping e-commerce for the home category.

Naveen Jain, serial entrepreneur and philanthropist, is best known for building companies that tackle large-scale problems in health, space, and data science. After founding InfoSpace during the early internet era, Jain went on to launch ventures such as Moon Express, focused on commercial lunar exploration, and Viome, which applies AI and molecular analysis to personalized health and longevity. Known for his “moonshot” mindset, he consistently targets industries where exponential technology can disrupt entrenched models. Jain’s work blends bold vision with scientific ambition, positioning him as a distinctive force at the intersection of entrepreneurship and frontier innovation.

Manoj Bhargava, founder of 5-Hour Energy, built one of the most successful consumer-products businesses of the past two decades by transforming a simple concept—portable, fast-acting energy—into a multibillion-dollar category. A former monk turned entrepreneur, Bhargava grew the brand through relentless distribution, aggressive marketing, and a deep instinct for mass-market demand. After achieving massive commercial success, he shifted much of his focus to philanthropy and problem-solving, funding large-scale projects in clean energy, water purification, and rural development through his Billions in Change initiative. Bhargava remains a rare figure who pairs entrepreneurial boldness with an equally ambitious commitment to global impact.

Kavitark Ram Shriram, early Google investor and founding board member, is one of Silicon Valley’s most influential angel investors, helping shape the modern internet economy through strategic backing and mentorship. A veteran of Netscape and Amazon, Shriram was among the earliest believers in Larry Page and Sergey Brin, providing seed capital and guidance that helped Google scale into a global technology giant. Through his family office, Sherpalo Ventures, he has backed dozens of startups across search, AI, ecommerce, and consumer technology, often bringing hands-on operational insight and long-term partnership. Known for his quiet style and deep conviction, Shriram remains a key figure behind some of the most important companies in tech.

Karthik Sarma, founder of SRS Investment Management, is the hedge fund manager who turned a concentrated activist position in Avis Budget Group into one of the most spectacular investment wins of the past decade. After founding SRS in 2006, the former Tiger Cub built a reputation for deep, research-driven conviction, long time horizons, and strategic influence behind the scenes. His most famous trade—SRS’s stake in Avis—generated multibillion-dollar gains as the company’s market value surged, making Sarma one of the top-earning hedge fund managers in America. Known for his low profile, analytical intensity, and disciplined patience, he has become a defining figure in modern activist investing.

Jay Chaudhry, founder and CEO of Zscaler, is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in cloud security, having built multiple cybersecurity companies before creating Zscaler in 2007 to redefine how enterprises protect their networks. Born in a small Himalayan village in India with no running water or electricity, Chaudhry immigrated to the U.S., earned multiple engineering and business degrees, and launched a series of security startups acquired by major tech firms. With Zscaler’s zero-trust platform now securing thousands of global enterprises, he has become a leading voice in cloud transformation and one of the wealthiest self-made immigrant founders in Silicon Valley.

Chetan Dube is a pioneering AI entrepreneur who founded IPsoft (now Amelia) in 1998 and has been CEO ever since. With a PhD in theoretical computer science from NYU and early teaching roles at NYU, he spearheaded the creation of Amelia—the enterprise conversational AI platform used by major global firms. A multiple-patent holder and EY Entrepreneur of the Year honoree, he is now advancing next-generation agentic AI through his new venture, Quant.

Bharat Desai is an Indian‑American billionaire and co‑founder of Syntel, the IT services and outsourcing firm he launched with his wife, Neerja Sethi, from a Michigan apartment in 1980. An IIT Bombay and University of Michigan alumnus, Desai grew the company to nearly $1 billion in revenue before selling it to Atos for $3.4 billion in 2018. Today, he serves as Syntel’s chairman and supports educational and civic causes.  

Baiju Bhatt is an American entrepreneur and co-founder of Robinhood, the influential no-commission trading app launched in 2013. A Stanford-educated physicist and mathematician, he served as co‑CEO until 2020 and then as Chief Creative Officer, stepping down in March 2024 to focus on his space-based solar startup, Aetherflux. Under his leadership, Robinhood became a cultural phenomenon in democratizing finance.

Aneel Bhusri is the co‑founder and executive chairman of Workday, the enterprise cloud software leader for finance and HR. A Stanford MBA and Brown‑educated engineer, he helped build Workday from a PeopleSoft spin‑out into a multibillion‑dollar public company and holds executive roles in venture through Greylock Partners.