MR RANGASWAMI

Founder, Indiaspora

- 

I first met M.R. Rangaswami at a Diwali Dinner hosted by Indiaspora at the House of Commons in London, where leaders from across sectors gathered to celebrate the growing global influence of the Indian diaspora. Warm, articulate, and brimming with quiet conviction, MR spoke passionately about community and connection. A few weeks later, we met again, this time over lunch at Maison Estelle in Mayfair, where our conversation flowed easily from Silicon Valley to social impact. Having arrived in California in 1982, when the Indian community numbered just 10,000, MR has witnessed its transformation into a powerhouse of over 400,000 in the region alone. A tech entrepreneur turned philanthropist, investor, and bridge-builder, he is the visionary behind Indiaspora, a nonprofit uniting 35 million Indians worldwide through leadership, giving, and cultural engagement. Over lunch, he reflected on his immigrant journey, the evolution of Indian identity abroad, and his mission to build a connected, giving global community.

What inspired you to start Indiaspora?

I was inspired to start Indiaspora because, despite the incredible growth of the Indian community in Silicon Valley and across the U.S., we hadn't yet become politically or socially influential. Professionally, Indians were doing very well, CEOs, doctors, engineers, but there was no collective identity or platform. Before Indiaspora, I'd built a philanthropic community for CEOs, where we pooled resources to support startup nonprofits. Seeing the difference that collaboration made, I wanted to create something bigger and more inclusive, an organization that could connect all Indians in the U.S. and beyond to amplify our collective voice, increase representation, and foster giving back to both our adopted countries and our homeland.

What was the defining moment that turned the idea into a movement?