Rushi Manche

Rushi Manche co-founded a blockchain technology company that introduced the first modular blockchain network built to combine performance, liquidity, and composability. In his early twenties, he and his partner chose to leave their internships and withdraw from Vanderbilt University to pursue their vision entirely. Their early determination led to securing $3.4 million in pre-seed funding from more than 25 angel investors. This funding enabled them to expand their team to over 70 members and initiate the development of an advanced blockchain infrastructure. In 2023, just a year after starting the company, they successfully raised $38 million in a Series A funding round. The round received backing from well-known venture capital firms, including Hack VC, Placeholder, Archetype, Maven 11, Robot Ventures, Figment Capital, Nomad Capital, Bankless Ventures, OKX Ventures, dao5, and Aptos Labs. His contributions were central to building a secure and scalable network that prioritized cross-chain interaction and developer-friendly design. Rushi Manche envisioned a blockchain platform that addressed the long-standing challenges of interoperability and security. He believed that blockchain programming offered a more efficient and reliable alternative to older systems. His focus was on enabling developers to create applications that could operate across multiple networks while minimizing risks like hacking and technical incompatibility. The modular structure of the blockchain system separated tasks into distinct layers, allowing for greater flexibility and scalability. Each layer handled specific functions independently, making it easier to manage and upgrade. A programming language developed by a major tech company was used to build a fast and secure Ethereum layer-2 network. A cryptocurrency token was also introduced to support the ecosystem and its ongoing development. Before launching the company, he worked as a Software Engineer at Aptos Project, contributing to the development of decentralized exchanges and cross-chain index funds. He also founded Ensemble, an AI-powered test preparation platform that provided free resources in partnership with 53 high schools nationwide. His experience at UnitedHealth Group involved migrating seven APIs to AWS cloud infrastructure, leading to an 84% cost reduction. He also updated backend systems to support dynamic scaling and multi-region deployment. As a freelance Full-Stack Developer, he modernized a platform's front and back end, implemented cloud-based services, and transitioned legacy systems to modern frameworks. He holds a Seal of Biliteracy in French. He has completed multiple online certifications through Udemy in areas such as blockchain development, machine learning, natural language processing, and complete stack programming. His achievements have earned recognition through several awards. In 2021, he was awarded the Ingram Scholarship at Vanderbilt University for academic merit and community involvement. He also received the Burger King McLamore Scholarship and was a semifinalist for both the Elks National Foundation and Coca-Cola Scholarships. He was named a National AP Scholar based on firm performance in Advanced Placement exams. 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 placed in the top three percent of the Diamond Challenge Entrepreneurship Competition for his team’s presentation of a food waste reduction app. In 2020, he received the New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Award for public service, and he was a finalist in the Seton Hall Pirates Pitch Business Plan Competition for presenting a solution to reduce educational inequality. He and his family have supported charitable healthcare initiatives in India for over a decade. During high school, he also volunteered with organizations such as UNICEF and the Samaritan Homeless Interim Program. Born in Springfield, Illinois, Rushi Manche enjoys basketball, traveling, and spending time outdoors.