Tech entrepreneur Ethan Agarwal has officially declared his candidacy for California governor in 2026, positioning himself as a Democrat who champions capitalism and meritocracy. In an interview with Axios, the 39-year-old emphasized his pro-business approach, contrasting himself with progressive candidates like Senator Elizabeth Warren and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani. “We share common ground on issues like reproductive rights, gun control, LGBTQ protections, and immigration,” Agarwal said. “But I strongly support capitalism and meritocracy and believe California could benefit from business and tech expertise in ways other candidates cannot deliver.”
Agarwal’s campaign has already garnered support from prominent Silicon Valley figures, including Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan, DoorDash co-founder Stanley Tang, and Tribe Capital’s Arjun Sethi, who are helping host fundraising events.
A serial entrepreneur, Agarwal has launched and sold two startups that collectively raised over $100 million from investors such as Andreessen Horowitz. He co-founded fintech startup The Coterie, which raised $80 million before being sold earlier this year, and fitness app Aaptiv, acquired by Pear Health Labs.
His platform highlights innovation-driven solutions for California’s energy and environmental challenges, along with education reforms designed to prepare students for careers in technology and clean industries. Agarwal also frames immigration as a key driver for economic growth and has criticized regulations and fees that he believes have driven sectors like film production and autonomous vehicle testing out of the state.
Born in Montreal and raised in Los Gatos, Agarwal is the son of semiconductor entrepreneur Vinod Agarwal, whose company LogicVision went public. He studied at Johns Hopkins University, earned an MBA from Wharton, and worked at Lehman Brothers and McKinsey before founding his startups.
Despite strong backing from the tech community, Agarwal faces challenges due to limited statewide name recognition. Political analysts suggest he will likely focus on young voters, Indian Americans, and the technology sector to gain traction in the highly competitive 2026 gubernatorial race.
With a message centered on business acumen, technological innovation, and economic growth, Agarwal aims to bring a new approach to California politics, combining startup experience with governance ambitions.
