Varun Mohan’s journey from a math enthusiast to a leading AI entrepreneur is a testament to the power of a strong educational foundation combined with practical experience. Raised in Sunnyvale, California, by Indian-origin parents who prioritized education, Mohan excelled early on at The Harker School, gaining recognition in math and computing Olympiads. This early success laid the groundwork for his future in technology.
Academic Excellence at MIT
Mohan furthered his studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), earning both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. His specialization in operating systems, distributed computing, machine learning, and algorithms shaped his vision of how artificial intelligence could revolutionize software development.
Industry Experience Builds Expertise
After graduating, Mohan gathered valuable experience at top technology companies like LinkedIn, Quora, Samsung, and Databricks. This practical exposure to backend systems, big data, and machine learning infrastructure deepened his understanding of the challenges developers face and inspired his vision to create smarter development tools.
Founding Windsurf: AI for Developers
In 2021, Mohan co-founded Windsurf (initially Codeium) alongside MIT classmate Douglas Chen. The startup quickly became a game-changer by developing an AI-native Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that assists developers with coding, refactoring, and understanding software through advanced AI models. Windsurf’s rapid growth included onboarding over a million users, raising significant funding, and reaching a valuation of $1.25 billion.
The Landmark Google Deal
In July 2025, Google signed a $2.4 billion licensing deal with Windsurf for its cutting-edge AI technologies. Mohan and key team members joined Google DeepMind, highlighting the importance of their work in the AI ecosystem. The deal allows Windsurf to operate independently while licensing its technology broadly, representing a new collaborative model between startups and tech giants.
Education as the Foundation of Innovation
Varun Mohan’s story underscores the crucial role of deep academic training and continuous learning in driving technological breakthroughs. While AI tools now aid in software creation, it is Mohan’s expertise in mathematics, systems design, and research that enabled the development of these groundbreaking technologies. His journey reflects how education combined with innovation shapes the future of AI.
