Silicon Valley, where degrees often define where you’ll likely end up, Vishesh Khurana’s story unfolds as a narrative of exception. A mere five days spent in college labelled him a dropout, yet this brief academic stint barely scratches the surface of his journey.

Today, he stands as a pivotal figure at Tribe Capital, a Menlo Park-based venture capital firm boasting $1.6 billion in assets under management (AUM) and a portfolio enriched with 27 unicorns.

As the newly appointed head of Tribe Capital’s $250 million India fund, Khurana defies conventional metrics of success, proving that a college diploma isn’t the sole ticket to the upper ranks of Silicon Valley.

What to know: Khurana's roots retrace to a small business in Delhi's Pitampura, where he stepped in to support his family during financial hardship. His early foray into entrepreneurship involved selling concert tickets, a modest beginning that paved the way for his subsequent venture, Mobiz Infotech, an app development company in 2010.

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Despite Mobiz Infotech’s absence from platforms like Android, Khurana's venture thrived, carving out lucrative app development projects for big brands and setting the stage for his entrepreneurial journey.

It wasn’t long before Khurana co-founded Shiprocket, a name synonymous with e-commerce logistics today that heralded his status as a unicorn co-founder. His tenure at Shiprocket was characterized by innovation and a knack for solving complex logistics challenges, eventually catching the attention of Tribe Capital.

Bridging the gap: At Tribe Capital, Khurana aims to leverage his entrepreneurial insights to tap into India’s evolving market landscape, recognizing the vast potential of a country on the cusp of digital transformation. His approach combines the rigour of traditional education with the freshness of innovative thought, creating a package that has propelled companies like Shiprocket to success.

As Khurana embarks on this new chapter with Tribe Capital, his story reiterates the value of experience over formal education in certain industries. His journey from assisting his family’s business in Delhi to influencing Silicon Valley’s investment strategies showcases the diversity of paths to success.

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