2025 Industry Eagle Award: Arun Gupta

Having worked himself in both venture capital and academia — and now in the nonprofit space as CEO of NobleReach Foundation — Arun Gupta has seen firsthand the potential of each sector: the “agility and innovation” of the private sector, the “research and talent” of academia and the “scale and purpose” of government.

“One moment that crystallized this for me was when I was teaching a class called Valley Meets Mission at Stanford. I saw incredibly talented and entrepreneurial students who didn’t see public service as a viable part of their career journey and, similarly, public policy students who didn’t view entrepreneurship as part of theirs,” Gupta said in an interview. “Each thought they had to choose between making money or doing good. That’s when I realized we needed to change the narrative.”

Gupta’s efforts have centered on creating an ecosystem for tech talent to become “dual citizens” of both the public and private sectors, such as the NobleReach Scholars program, which gives early-career professionals hands-on experience in public service and cutting-edge challenges. It received 1,300 applicants last year. And his Common Mission Project has forged multiple partnerships across academia, industry and government agencies.

In 2024, Gupta co-authored a best-selling book, “Venture Meets Mission,” which discusses how workers can build careers that balance people, purpose and profit, a guiding principle that has been reflected in his own life.

“Growing up in a family rooted in public service — my father spent over 40 years at the Naval Sea Systems Command — I’ve always deeply respected the people who dedicate their lives to serving the greater good,” he said. “Moving into the nonprofit space felt like a way to honor that legacy while leveraging my background in venture capital and academia to drive real, systemic change‌.”

The keys to making a difference, he added, lie in purpose, persistence and partnership.

“Find the intersection of your skills and passions with a societal need. Purpose is what will sustain you through the inevitable challenges and bureaucracy that come with working in this space,” Gupta explained.

For persistence, “it’s important to be willing to test, learn and make mistakes as long as you are focused on achieving the outcomes you set out for. Mistakes are part of the innovation process.”

And Gupta has found that the most impactful work doesn’t happen when someone tries to “go it alone,” but rather when people seek out partners and mentors who understand the field and how to navigate the path to change.

“At the end of the day, making a difference in the government space isn’t about reinventing the wheel — it’s about bringing fresh energy, innovative thinking and a collaborative mindset to the table,” he said. “If you can do that, you’ll not only make an impact, but you’ll also inspire others to join you in the work. And that’s how real change happens.”