About Neel Somani

Neel Somani's path from student to mentor began at Dougherty Valley High School (DVHS), where he founded a satirical student newspaper, an early exercise in independent thought and leadership. His writing later earned him the Lipson Essay Prize, inspiring the Neel Somani Knowledge Grant, which continues to support student journalism at DVHS today. Seeking greater academic flexibility, he transferred to Venture High School, where he graduated valedictorian as a junior.

Education at UC Berkeley

At UC Berkeley, Somani pursued a triple major in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Business Administration, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 2019. He was awarded prestigious scholarships, including the Cal Alumni Association Leadership Award, Haas Undergraduate Scholarship, and the CCAR Scholarship. Through programs like Accel Scholars and the EECS Honors Program, he benefited from mentorship that shaped his entrepreneurial mindset, technical expertise, and leadership approach.

Professional Career

After graduating, Somani built a career in technology and finance, first as a quantitative researcher at Citadel, before founding Eclipse, a company pioneering high-performance blockchain infrastructure. He has also incubated and invested in multiple unicorn startups, further strengthening his impact in the startup ecosystem.

Giving Back

Despite his professional success, Somani has remained deeply engaged with Berkeley, serving on the Board of the Berkeley Haas Alumni Network – San Francisco Chapter. Committed to paying forward the mentorship he received, he has personally guided dozens of students—many of whom have gone on to become successful founders, software engineers, and investors.

The Scholarship Program

Through his philanthropy, Somani is investing in the future of entrepreneurship, technology, and leadership. His philanthropy aims to empower high-achieving students and create a lasting legacy that extends from high school to higher education and beyond.