Rushi Manche Male • United States of America

Rushi Manche co-founded a blockchain technology company that introduced the first network of modular blockchains designed to balance high performance with liquidity and composability. In his early twenties, he and his partner decided to leave their internships and drop out of Vanderbilt University to fully commit to building their blockchain company. They successfully secured $3.4 million in pre-seed funding from over 25 angel investors and assembled a team of more than 70 members.

In just one year, the company raised $38 million in a Series A funding round in 2023, reflecting his forward-thinking approach and determination. The funding came from several respected venture capital firms, including Hack VC, Placeholder, Archetype, Maven 11, Robot Ventures, Figment Capital, Nomad Capital, Bankless Ventures, OKX Ventures, dao5, and Aptos Labs.

A digital native and part of Gen Z, he took a bold step to develop a blockchain ecosystem that enables developers to create secure applications capable of functioning across multiple networks. The system was designed to help users manage digital assets with minimal concern for security breaches or compatibility issues. He viewed blockchain programming as a highly secure and efficient tool for modern business needs.

The modular structure used in the system divides processes into individual layers, each with a specific function, allowing developers to scale and adapt their projects more easily. The programming language applied within this structure supports reliability and adaptability across use cases.

Recognizing the potential of a programming language initially developed by a large tech company, he envisioned a more secure and high-performing infrastructure. His company launched an Ethereum layer-2 network, which introduced improved speed and security. He also introduced a token connected to the blockchain network, supporting the company’s growing ecosystem.

He began his journey in software engineering with a strong interest in crypto. Before starting his company, he worked as a Software Engineer for three months at Aptos Project, where he developed smart contracts for a decentralized exchange and cross-chain index funds. He previously founded Ensemble, an AI-based test preparation service that offers free resources to students through partnerships with 53 high schools across the country.

He also worked as a Software Engineer at UnitedHealth Group for three months, where he migrated seven APIs to cloud infrastructure, leading to an 84% cost reduction. He updated legacy systems with newer technologies, enabling better performance and scalability. Additionally, he freelanced as a Full-Stack Developer for a platform, where he modernized both user and admin portals using updated tech stacks and cloud services.

He holds a Seal of Biliteracy in French and completed multiple online certifications through Udemy, covering topics such as machine learning, data science, blockchain development, and web technologies.

His dedication to learning and innovation has earned him several honors. In 2021, he was awarded the Ingram Scholarship at Vanderbilt University for his academic achievements and commitment to social impact. He also received the Burger King McLamore Scholarship, was a semifinalist for both the Elks National Foundation and Coca-Cola Scholarships, and earned the title of National AP Scholar.

His accomplishments include receiving awards from the Young Investors Society and placing in the top 3% of the Diamond Challenge Entrepreneurship Competition for presenting an app that reduces food waste. He was recognized with the New Jersey State Governor's Jefferson Award in 2020 for his public service. In 2019, he was a finalist in the Seton Hall Pirates Pitch Business Plan Competition, where he presented an app designed to address educational inequality.

His charitable work includes supporting healthcare initiatives in India alongside his family. During high school, he volunteered with UNICEF, the Samaritan Homeless Interim Program, and other nonprofit organizations.

Born in Springfield, Illinois, Rushi Manche enjoys playing basketball, exploring new places, and spending time in nature.