From intern to ₹2,00,00,00,00,000: How a 28-yr-old techie who interned for 4 years triggered a Google-OpenAI war
Varun Mohan
, has signed a ₹20,400 crore ($2.4 billion) deal with
Google DeepMind
after rejecting
OpenAI
's ₹25,500 crore ($3 billion) offer. The deal sparked a fresh wave of rivalry between the two AI giants and has placed Mohan among the richest immigrant entrepreneurs in the US.
Four years of internships built the foundation
Varun Mohan, born to Indian immigrants in Sunnyvale, California, interned at eight companies -- Quora, LinkedIn, Samsung, Cloudian, and Databricks -- while studying at MIT. These four years of hands-on experience in machine learning, cloud systems, and infrastructure helped him build a strong technical base before he entered the startup space.
After graduation, he joined the autonomous vehicle startup Nuro, where he rose to the position of Lead Software Engineer.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years
IC Markets
Learn More
Undo
Windsurf and the making of Cascade
In 2021, Varun Mohan co-founded Windsurf with his MIT batchmate Douglas Chen. Their company launched Cascade, an AI-native coding platform that allows developers to write and test code by simply speaking to the system.
Cascade gained rapid adoption, with over a million developers using it within months. Windsurf raised $240 million and reached a valuation of $1.25 billion. It was later named among Forbes' top 50 AI companies globally.
Live Events
Why Google and OpenAI engaged into an acqusition war?
Google and OpenAI were both interested in acquiring Varun Mohan's startup, Windsurf, because of its breakthrough product, Cascade—an AI-native coding environment that allows developers to write, test, and refactor code using natural language. The tool had gained rapid adoption among developers and posed a potential shift in how software is built, making it a strategic asset in the race for dominance in agentic coding and AI-assisted development.
Why OpenAI's ₹25,500 crore offer failed
OpenAI was close to acquiring Windsurf for $3 billion. However, its primary investor, Microsoft, raised concerns over possible overlaps with GitHub Copilot. As a result, the deal stalled midway.
Varun Mohan then accepted Google's $2.4 billion offer. The agreement is not an acquisition. It is a licensing and talent deal, which gives Google DeepMind non-exclusive rights to key Windsurf technologies. Windsurf continues to function as an independent company and can license its tools to other clients.
Under the deal, Mohan, Chen, and a select group from Windsurf's R&D team have joined Google DeepMind to work on agentic coding projects and integrate their systems with Google's Gemini platform.
Now among America's top immigrant tech entrepreneurs
Following the deal, Forbes added Varun Mohan and Douglas Chen to its 2025 list of richest immigrants. They join a group that includes Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, Raj Sardana, and Nikesh Arora.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
10 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
5 facts on Priya Sachdev Kapur, at the centre of ₹30,000 crore succession battle
Priya Sachdev Kapur, a businesswoman and former model, is once again in the public eye - this time over a growing dispute within the powerful Kapur family following the sudden death of her husband, industrialist Sunjay Kapur. As controversy surrounds control of the ₹30,000-crore Sona Group, here are five key facts about her: Priya Sachdev Kapur married Sunjay Kapur in 2017. 5 facts about Priya Sachdev Kapur Priya holds a degree in mathematics and business management from University College London and began her professional life in M&A at Credit Suisse First Boston in London. She returned to India to lead several businesses and co-founded Rock N Shop, one of India's early luxury e-commerce platforms. She is also the director at Aureus Investment and a non-executive director at Sona Comstar. Also read: Why is Sunjay Kapur's company Sona Comstar in news days after his death She briefly entered the entertainment industry in the early 2000s, appearing in ads (including one with Kareena Kapoor) and played a supporting role in the 2005 film Neal 'n' Nikki. Her first marriage to American hotelier Vikram Chatwal ended in divorce after a custody battle. In 2017, she married Sunjay Kapur, ex-husband of actress Karisma Kapoor. Following Sunjay's death in June 2025, his mother Rani Kapur accused unnamed individuals - widely believed to include Priya - of coercion and misrepresentation in matters related to the Sona Group. Tensions after Sunjay Kapur's death Sunjay Kapur died of a heart attack during a polo match in England on June 12, 2025. His death sent shockwaves through both the business world and Bollywood circles. His funeral rites were attended by celebrities like Karisma Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan. Just before the annual general meeting of Sona Comstar, his mother, Rani Kapur, addressed a letter to the company's board alleging she had been coerced into signing documents behind locked doors. She claimed she was denied access to her personal accounts and warned of 'gross illegalities' within the group, implicitly pointing fingers at Priya Sachdev Kapur. The letter further alleged that unauthorised individuals were misrepresenting themselves as family representatives, raising concerns about a looming legal and corporate succession battle in one of India's most prominent industrial families.
United News of India
12 minutes ago
- United News of India
PM Modi, Maldivian President release commemorative stamps to mark 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties
Male/New Delhi, July 25 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu today released commemorative stamps on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of India-Maldives diplomatic relations. Reflecting the age-old bilateral ties between the two countries, the commemorative stamps depict the Indian boat Uru, a large wooden dhow handcrafted in the historic boatyards of Beypore, Kerala, and the traditional Maldivian fishing boat - Vadhu Dhoni. These boats have been part of the Indian Ocean trade for centuries. The traditional Maldivian fishing boat - Vadhu Dhoni - is used for reef and coastal fishing. It depicts Maldives's rich maritime heritage and the close bond between island life and the ocean, a statement said. India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Maldives following its independence in 1965. The commemorative stamps release symbolizes the close and historical ties between the two countries. PM Modi is on a two-day state visit to Maldives. He will be the Chief Guest at the 60th anniversary celebrations of Maldives' independence day tomorrow. UNI RN
Time of India
12 minutes ago
- Time of India
Timely, productive visit helped review & build India-Maldives cooperation: FS Misri on PM Modi's Malé visit
Prime Minister Modi's state visit to the Maldives strengthened bilateral ties through key agreements and discussions. A major highlight was the extension of a Rs 4,850 crore line of credit and restructuring of existing debt, significantly reducing the Maldives' repayment obligations. The visit also included MOUs across various sectors and the launch of joint initiatives. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing state visit to the Maldives saw high-level engagements and significant bilateral agreements, reaffirming India-Maldives ties and outlining a roadmap for future a special press briefing on Friday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted the importance of the visit, describing it as productive and timely. Accompanied by High Commissioner to Maldives G. Balasubramanian and Additional Secretary Puneet Agrawal, Misri provided a detailed account of the day's developments."As you would be aware, the Prime Minister is on a two-day state visit to the Maldives. You are all familiar with the fact that this is his third visit to the Maldives. He also happens to be the first head of government to be visiting the Maldives during the administration of President Muizzu," he saidReflecting the ceremonial importance of the occasion, Misri detailed that on arrival at the airport, the Prime Minister was warmly received by President Muizzu and members of his cabinet. "This was a very special gesture by the President. The Prime Minister was also corded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour and welcomed with a special cultural performance."This ceremonial welcome set the stage for substantive discussions and on Friday afteroon the Prime Minister and President Muizzu held restricted and delegation-level talks. "This gave both leaders the opportunity to review the entire gamut of issues in the bilateral relationship. They renewed various aspects of India-Maldives relations and in particular reflected on the progress made since October 2024, when President Muizzu had visited India on a state visit and when both countries had adopted the Joint Vision for India-Maldives Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership," he talks were followed by the signing of key agreements. "You would already be familiar with; you would have seen the ceremony for exchange of memoranda of understanding and agreements between the two sides. Let me just review the key agreements and MOUs that have been signed. We have signed an MOU related to the extension of a fresh line of credit of Rs 4,850 crore to the Maldives. This is the first LOC extended to the Maldives that is denominated in Indian rupees. The LOC represents a continuation of the tradition of assistance to the development needs of the Maldives and we expect that several infrastructure projects will be carried out as a result of this LOC agreement benefiting the lives of citizens here in the Maldives."He elaborated on financial restructuring aimed at easing the Maldives' economic burden. "Together with this, the two sides also signed an amendatory agreement that amended the existing dollar line of credit between India and the Maldives. I would like to in particular point to the fact that with the signature of this amendatory agreement, the annual debt repayment obligations of the Maldives will reduce by a sharp 40% from nearly US$51 million annually to about US$29 million."Misri further outlined the range of MOUs signed, covering diverse sectors. "The other understandings signed today include an MOU on cooperation in the field of fisheries and aquaculture, an MOU between the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology of the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Maldives Meteorological Services in the Ministry of Tourism and Environment; an MOU on cooperation in the field of sharing successful digital solutions that have been implemented at population scale for digital transformation between the Ministry of Electronics and IT of India and the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology of the Maldives."He added, "There was also an MOU on the recognition of Indian pharmacopoeia in the Maldives, which will reinforce the availability and sourcing of high-quality medicines in the Maldives; and a network-to-network agreement between India's NPCI, the National Payments Corporation of India International Limited, and the Maldives Monetary Authority. This is intended to take forward the work on implementing the Unified Payments Interface that will greatly benefit tourism between the two countries."Marking key milestones, Misri spoke about symbolic and development-oriented initiatives. "In addition to that, there were a number of announcements and events that took place during the course of the day. The two countries have agreed to launch negotiations on an India-Maldives Free Trade Agreement. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two sides issued commemorative stamps."The Foreign Secretary continued, "The Prime Minister also handed over 3,300 social housing units in Hulhumale that were built under the Indian Buyer's Credit Scheme. The two leaders also together inaugurated the Roads and Drainage System Project in Addu City, six high-impact community development projects. And just now, a short while ago, the Ministry of Defence building in Male. The Prime Minister also handed over 72 vehicles and other equipment that will be used by the MNDF for various purposes."Environmental and health initiatives also featured in the day's agenda. "The two leaders were together for a tree plantation event, which is being carried out under the initiative taken by Prime Minister Modi in India, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, Plant for Mother. In the same place, the Prime Minister also handed over two BHISHM Health Cubes that will be of great relevance in medical emergencies, especially in remote parts of the country."Modi's visit will continue with important engagements on Satruday where the Prime Minister will be the Guest of Honour at the Independence Day celebrations at Republic Square."He will also be meeting with a few political leaders of the country, interact with the Indian diaspora residing in the Maldives, including also ITEC alumni from the Maldives," Misri up the significance of the visit, Misri emphasized its strategic outcomes. "This very, very timely and productive visit has provided an opportunity to both countries and both leaders to review our very close cooperation and to continue to build further on it. The two sides, as I said in the beginning, reviewed the joint vision for the India-Maldives Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, and as a result of the discussions today, arrived at the conclusion that we should continue to implement various elements of this vision, and explore newer avenues to collaborate further between the two sides."
