Rushi Manche co-founded a blockchain technology company that developed the first modular blockchain network, focusing on integrating performance, liquidity, and composability. In his early twenties, he and his partner decided to leave their internships and withdraw from Vanderbilt University to pursue the venture full-time. Their early commitment led to raising $3.4 million in pre-seed funding from over 25 angel investors, and they expanded their team to more than 70 people. In 2023, just one year after the company’s inception, they closed a $38 million Series A funding round. This milestone reflected strong investor confidence, with participation from firms such as Hack VC, Placeholder, Archetype, Maven 11, Robot Ventures, Figment Capital, Nomad Capital, Bankless Ventures, OKX Ventures, dao5, and Aptos Labs. His efforts were crucial in developing a secure and efficient system that catered to the needs of developers and users navigating decentralized environments. Rushi Manche focused on creating a blockchain ecosystem that allowed developers to build secure, scalable applications capable of interacting across various networks. He believed blockchain programming offered a modern alternative to outdated systems, particularly in handling digital assets and financial operations. His work addressed concerns around security, interoperability, and system flexibility. The platform’s modular design structured blockchain operations into separate layers, each performing specific functions. This design made the system easier to scale and adapt to different use cases. It utilized a programming language developed by a major tech company and introduced an Ethereum Layer 2 solution designed to enhance speed and security. A cryptocurrency token was also launched to support the growing network. Before launching the company, he worked as a Software Engineer at Aptos Project, contributing to decentralized exchange and cross-chain index fund projects. He also founded Ensemble, an AI-powered test prep platform that partnered with 53 high schools to offer students free learning tools and academic resources. His time at UnitedHealth Group included migrating seven APIs to the AWS cloud, resulting in an 84% reduction in costs. He also modernized backend systems to improve scalability and system performance. As a freelance Full Stack Developer, he updated legacy platforms by redesigning user interfaces, integrating modern frameworks, and deploying services through AWS infrastructure. He earned a Seal of Biliteracy in French and completed numerous certifications through Udemy, covering topics such as blockchain development, machine learning, natural language processing, and full-stack web development. His achievements have been recognized through several honors and awards. In 2021, he received the Ingram Scholarship at Vanderbilt University. He was awarded the Burger King McLamore Scholarship and named a semifinalist for both the Elks National Foundation and Coca-Cola Scholarships. He also earned the distinction of National AP Scholar for his consistent academic performance. He was honored by the Young Investors Society with the Certified Young Investment Analyst designation and won the New Jersey State Stock Pitch Competition. He finished in the top 3% of the Diamond Challenge Entrepreneurship Competition, where he presented an app designed to help reduce food waste. In 2020, he was presented with the New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Award for public service. He was selected as a finalist in the Seton Hall Pirates Pitch Business Plan Competition for proposing a project that addresses educational inequality. Alongside his academic and professional work, he and his family have supported charitable healthcare projects in India for over a decade. During high school, he also volunteered with UNICEF, the Samaritan Homeless Interim Program, and other community organizations. Born in Springfield, Illinois, Rushi Manche enjoys playing basketball, traveling, and spending time outdoors.