Who is Varun Mohan? Meet man who rejected Rs 25000 crore offer from OpenAI to join Google for Rs..., not from IIM, IIIT, NIT, VIT, or BIT
Varun Mohan is of Indian descent, having been born and raised in Sunnyvale, California, by children of Indian immigrants. He went to The Harker School in San Jose, and then to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he earned a Bachelor's and Master of Engineering in Computer Science.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Varun Mohan co-founded Windsurf in June 2021. The startup was based in Mountain View and received attention after launching AI tools that would reduce friction and speed up the process of software development. During this time, Windsurf quickly became a prominent player in the AI infrastructure space under his leadership.
Before starting Windsurf, Varun Mohan spent over three years at autonomous vehicle company Nuro. He joined in early 2018 as a software engineer, was promoted to tech lead for autonomy infrastructure by August 2019, and became tech lead manager in 2020.
Varun Mohan's resume also highlights engineering-related internships at several prominent Silicon Valley tech companies. In 2017, he started at Databricks, where he worked on machine learning systems; earlier that same year, he interned at Cloudian Inc., where he contributed to S3 storage infrastructure; and in 2016, he interned as a software engineer at Quora, with a focus on data infrastructure.
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The Hindu
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Steps on to take number of 'Lakhpati Didis' to 2 crore by Aug 15: Chouhan
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
With growing disposable income, middle class is embracing cruise: Sarbananda Sonowal
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The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
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Indian students have always viewed the U.S. as a top study destination. However, the ongoing visa challenges, growing concerns around job opportunities after graduation, rising costs, and shifting immigration policies are causing anxiety among applicants and parents. With this looming fear of 'what next', let's explore destinations beyond the U.S. Canada Pros: Appointment of a new Foreign Minister, Anita Anand, and three other Indian-origin leaders: Maninder Sidhu as Minister of International Trade, and Ruby Sahota and Randeep Sarai as Secretaries of State Recent improvements in India-Canada diplomatic relations Postgraduate work permit for up to three years and an easier pathway to permanent residence than most other countries. There is even an express entry route. Diversity, inclusion and a supportive environment for Indian students in the campuses Cons Increased financial documentation requirements and tighter visa rules. Since January 2024, there has been a significant increase in the required proof of funds amount to be shown for the Canadian study permit. Increase in the number of visa application rejections due to policy fluctuations Rising living costs and competition in large cities Germany Pros Approximately 2,300 English-taught programmes Public universities are tuition-free. Up to 18 months post study visa to look for a job. Geographically at the centre of Europe and well connected A strong economy and job market Cons Studienkolleg requirement: Indian high school qualifications (Class 12) are not directly eligible for most public Bachelor's programmes. Students must complete a one-year Studienkolleg foundation programme and pass the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP) before they can begin undergraduate studies. Some Studienkollegs accept B1 for entry, but this is rare and usually for private institutions. Public Studienkollegs often require B2 German. At the Master's level, no German language proficiency is required for admission. While courses are taught in English, German has to be learnt for daily life and work opportunities. Coursework is known to be demanding. Netherlands Pros Many English programmes available in top universities Acceptance rates are higher as compared to other countries. One year post-study work visa High quality of life Cons Coursework is demanding High living costs, especially in Amsterdam For citizenship A2 level of Dutch is required. It's beneficial to demonstrate an even higher level Ireland Pros Only English-speaking country in the European Union (post Brexit) Several major international companies have their European or EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) headquarters in Dublin Supportive multicultural environment in Dublin Cons Cost of living in Dublin Weather can be rainy, dark, and very cold in the winter Food can also be tough for Indians though more options keep opening up. New Zealand Pros Safe, student-friendly, and supportive environment English-speaking environment makes adjustment easier Pathway programme options allow you to study your dream subject even if you don't initially meet the entry criteria. Cons Far from India and a bit disconnected from the rest of the world. Can be slightly 'boring', as the cities are smaller and quieter. Dubai Pros Globally recognised Indian as well as international universities have campuses here Easy work permit availability for internships/part-time roles Safe, multicultural environment with a strong Indian presence Cons Weather can be harsh, especially in summer Restrictions around free speech and modest culture expectations Some institutions lack strong global rankings or focus on research Japan Pros High-quality education, strong global ranking, and a growing Indian student population Universities offering scholarships, English-taught programmes and favourable part-time work policies Recent growth in English-medium liberal arts programmes Safe, low-crime country Unique cultural immersion alongside technological advancement Cons Major language barrier; even in a city like Tokyo, getting by without Japanese can be an issue. Cultural norms may feel restrictive. Cold winters and high-pressure academic environment High living costs, especially in Tokyo With inputs from Kritika Malhotra The writer is Founder and CEO, Inomi Learning, a Gurugram-based career and college guidance firm. info@
