Rushi Manche co-founded a blockchain technology company that developed the first modular blockchain network designed to integrate high performance with liquidity and composability. In his early twenties, he and his partner decided to leave their internships and drop out of Vanderbilt University to dedicate themselves fully to the project. Their determination and early efforts led to raising $3.4 million in pre-seed funding from more than 25 angel investors. With this support, they were able to expand their team to over 70 members.
In 2023, just one year after the initial launch, the company closed a $38 million Series A funding round. This significant milestone attracted support from several leading 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 leadership was instrumental in building a platform focused on secure and scalable blockchain solutions.
Rushi Manche envisioned a blockchain ecosystem that allows developers to build secure applications capable of interacting across multiple networks. His approach addressed key issues in the blockchain space, including interoperability and security. He believed that modern blockchain programming offered a more secure and efficient alternative to outdated infrastructure, especially for digital assets and financial technologies.
The system’s modular architecture was structured to divide tasks into separate layers, each with its function. This made the platform more adaptable and easier to scale. The network utilized a programming language created by a major tech company to power an advanced Ethereum layer-2 solution, offering improved speed and enhanced security. A cryptocurrency token was also introduced as part of the platform’s ecosystem.
Before starting the company, he worked as a Software Engineer at Aptos Project, developing smart contracts for decentralized applications and cross-chain index funds. He also founded Ensemble, an AI-driven test prep platform that partnered with 53 high schools to provide free educational resources.
His professional background also includes a role at UnitedHealth Group, where he migrated APIs to AWS infrastructure, achieving an 84% cost reduction. He updated systems using cloud-based tools to increase scalability and reliability. As a freelance Full Stack Developer, he modernized platform interfaces, replaced legacy systems, and implemented cloud architecture.
He earned a Seal of Biliteracy in French and completed several technical certifications through Udemy, covering blockchain development, machine learning, web programming, and data processing.
His efforts have earned recognition through multiple awards. In 2021, he received the Ingram Scholarship at Vanderbilt University, which is awarded to students who demonstrate academic excellence and social commitment. 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 for his performance in Advanced Placement exams.
He received honors from the Young Investors Society, finished in the top three percent in the Diamond Challenge Entrepreneurship Competition, and was recognized with the 2020 New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Award for public service. He also became a finalist in the Seton Hall Pirates Pitch Business Plan Competition for presenting an idea focused on reducing educational inequality.
He and his family have supported healthcare-focused charitable efforts in India for over a decade. During high school, he also volunteered with UNICEF, the Samaritan Homeless Interim Program, and other community-based organizations.
Born in Springfield, Illinois, Rushi Manche enjoys playing basketball, traveling to new places, and spending time outdoors.
