From $900 to Billion-Dollar Ventures: A Journey of Resilience and Innovation | Dheeraj Pandery Founder DevRev & Nutanix

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dheeraj, who arrived in the U.S. with just $900 and went on to found tech giants Nutanix and DevRev. From growing up in one of India’s poorest states to building multi-billion dollar companies, Dheeraj shares deeply personal stories of sacrifice, resilience, and ambition. In this episode, discover how education became his gateway, how he balanced family and entrepreneurship, and why staying grounded and humble has been key to his success. Raj opens up about leadership lessons, embracing vulnerability, investing in people, and using philanthropy—especially in computational biology and education—to make a lasting impact. What You’ll Learn: Overcoming adversity and the immigrant experience The role of hunger, perseverance, and innovation Building and leading billion-dollar tech ventures Balancing personal values with professional success The power of philanthropy and legacy Timestamps: 00:00 Starting from Scratch: A Humble Beginning 00:28 The Power of Education and Perseverance 01:22 Building a Life in the US 02:35 Overcoming Hardships and Family Support 04:23 Lessons in Adversity and Entrepreneurship 07:11 Balancing Wealth and Humility 15:24 The Journey of Nutanix 17:54 Founding DevRev and Future Ambitions 19:09 The Importance of Hunger and Innovation 29:19 The Role of Investors and Early Customers 31:54 Authenticity and Integrity in Leadership 33:34 Embracing Systems and Design 35:01 Mentorship and Personal Growth 40:06 Balancing Dualities in Leadership 51:09 Philanthropy and Purpose 55:39 Reflections on Life and Legacy About Dheeraj: Dheeraj is the founder of Nutanix and DevRev. His story is a testament to perseverance, humility, and visionary leadership. He is passionate about innovation, education, and giving back through philanthropy. About the Host – Ephraim Yarmak: Ephraim runs TGVG Fund, a micro VC backing early-stage cyber founders. He’s all about real conversations with builders who lead with purpose. Enjoyed this episode? Follow the podcast, leave a review, and share with someone who needs a dose of inspiration.