Gurbaksh Chahal

Die Hard Entrepreneur | His Inspiring Life Story

About

[Gurbaksh Chahal]

If life gives you lemons, make apple juice, and make people wonder how the hell you did it.

Gurbaksh Chahal is a transformative figure in the entrepreneurial realm – a four-time startup maestro, author, motivational catalyst, investor, and devoted philanthropist whose journey from humble beginnings to global recognition epitomizes resilience and innovation.

The Start

[Gurbaksh Singh Chahal]

Don’t believe the world “owes you a living.” Decide to be happy. Don’t hold grudges.

Don’t fear change. Always believe in yourself. Always give back.

Born on July 17, 1982, in the serene village of Tarn Taran, India, Gurbaksh’s voyage to the Silicon Valley was initiated at the tender age of 4 when his family sought new horizons in San Jose, California.

But this promise of a better life wasn’t without its adversities. From enduring racial prejudice in educational corridors to confronting societal norms, Gurbaksh’s childhood was a crucible of challenges.

Yet, amid these storms stood the unwavering support of his family and the guiding wisdom of his grandmother, fortifying him to embrace his identity and chase his aspirations.

qUOTES

Gurbaksh Chahal Quotes

3 Of The Best Quotes

“If you genuinely want something, don’t wait for it – teach yourself to be impatient.”

“Fear becomes your worst enemy and risk your best friend.”

“Always surround yourself with people who want you to succeed. That seems simple on the surface, but when you get out there, in the real world, you will discover that most people are rooting for you to fail. Stay away from them.”

The Story

Stepping into the business world

A LIFE BUILT ON HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

“If you genuinely want something, don’t wait for it – teach yourself to be impatient.”

Gurbaksh Chahal’s mantra has always been clear: “When passion calls, don’t just dream; act swiftly.”

At the age of 15, amidst educational challenges, Gurbaksh’s entrepreneurial spirit ignited. Realizing the potential of buying printers and selling them at a markup on eBay, he transformed this insight into a profitable venture. This endeavor not only provided for his family but also laid the foundation for his subsequent entrepreneurial aspirations.

At the tender age of 16, choosing passion over tradition, he left high school to chase the burgeoning opportunities in the dot-com era. With the capital from his eBay ventures, he birthed his inaugural startup in 1999, named ClickAgents. This avant-garde performance-based advertising platform soon garnered the interest of ValueClick. Two years post its inception, at just 18, Gurbaksh strategically steered ClickAgents into an acquisition by the NASDAQ-listed company (CNVR), securing a deal nearing $40 million.

His entrepreneurial odyssey didn’t halt there. By the age of 25, Gurbaksh had already birthed and nurtured two pioneering internet advertising startups. The second in line was BlueLithium, conceptualized in 2004. Its innovation and impact caught the attention of tech giant Yahoo!, which purchased it for a staggering $300 million.

The business saga continued with the advent of RadiumOne in 2009. Marking his third startup endeavor, RadiumOne emerged as a leading programmatic platform, adept at harnessing social data from across the digital realm. Its prowess and potential led to its acquisition by RhythmOne, a renowned entity on the London Stock Exchange.

The Dream

Continues…

“If you implement the fundamentals in your life; you can achieve success in whatever you pursue.”

Chahal’s humble beginnings, entrepreneurial experiences, and energized ambition have led him to where he is today. His mission is to combine technology, together with his vast network, to build and invest in vibrant businesses that create opportunities for others and help to make the world a better place.

IMPACT

The Chahal Foundation

“I’ve always wanted to make a meaningful impact on the lives of people in different ways. People across the globe. Maybe you think that’s a grandiose statement. But, again, I’ve always believed in thinking big and acting big. It’s the only way to go. It’s the only way I know how to conduct myself.”

Giving back to others is an important personal mission that Gurbaksh Chahal holds close to his heart. He’s always placed importance on staying grounded, remembering where he came from and sharing opportunities with people, as others once did for him. 

On his thirty-second birthday, he set up The Chahal Foundation, a 501(c)3 registered non-profit organization. The Foundation was originally created to raise awareness about the Wisconsin Sikh temple shooting. He was hurt and appalled to see that the violence, hate crimes, and racism he’d experienced as a youngster still existed in the world, but worse, had appeared to have escalated.

Chahal and the team set out to share a clear and simple message, on a mission to make a change. The #BeProud campaign homed in on stopping hate, building hope, accepting others for who they are, and setting an example for future generations.

Since 2012, the Foundation has gone on to grow worldwide. 

Led by the core mission to create limitless dreams, and limitless possibilities, Chahal and his team at the Foundation have positively impacted the lives of thousands of communities, families, and children living in a broad cross-section of society around the world.

The Chahal Foundation continues to focus on 4 key areas:

  • Supporting disaster relief efforts across the world
  • Providing university scholarships and mentorships
  • Improving education facilities in third world countries
  • Creating awareness of key social issues such as #ChildSexTrafficking and #GunReformNow
Gurbaksh Chahal accepting Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award

SUCCESS

Awards and Achievements

Chahal has received widespread recognition for his success, entrepreneurial ambition, and contribution to society and the business world. In 2010, he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Commercial Science from Pace University for his career achievements as an entrepreneur. In 2019, Chahal was awarded for his renowned achievements as a global entrepreneur by the DGSMC with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

He is also the proud owner of 11 patents, which he was awarded by the USPTO for developing the underlying ShareGraph™ technology, and, NeuralBank™ technology with several others pending.

FUTURE

The Story Ahead

Chahal has had his own ups and downs in life. But he persevered. With the continuum of unconditional support from his family, Gurbaksh is pursuing his dreams. His relentless pursuit for success represents the trial and triumph for the youth of today. With the iconic success, Chahal has garnered much respect and recognition at such a young age. 

His epic words, “hard work pays off’ have been an inspiration. However, he aspires to achieve more. Hence the saying, “When you cease to dream, you cease to live.”

Dream Big. Hustle harder.