Manu Patolia is an engineer, entrepreneur, mentor and education advocate whose inspiring journey spans continents and industries. Born in the small village of Taravada, Gujarat, he was fascinated by the Shetrunji Dam Construction as a child, a spark that ignited his lifelong passion for business.

In 1969, Manu arrived in the United States with just seventy-five cents in his pocket. He went on to earn a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University and a Master’s degree in Construction Management and Business from the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). Licensed as a Professional Engineer in both New York and New Jersey, Manu managed retail and hospitality businesses on an absentee basis while working on major construction projects. He later founded several successful companies in manufacturing, printed circuit boards, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals.

Author of From the Village to the World and From Startups to Success, Manu continues to inspire young people.