>Scorpions13256 at 03:53, 10 July 2021

2021-07-10T03:53:27Z

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{{short description|Indian entrepreneur, engineer, and investor}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox person
| birth_name = Bhargav Sri Prakash
| image = 2015MedX-OralIgniteTalk.jpg
| birth_date = 
| birth_place = {{nowrap|[[Chennai]], India}}<ref name=dob/>
| occupation = Entrepreneur {{br}} Engineer {{br}} Investment Management {{br}} Tennis player
| alma_mater = [[University of Michigan]], [[Ann Arbor]] <br> [[College of Engineering, Guindy]]
| nationality = Indian
| boards = [[FriendsLearn]], Inc <br> Nirmana Investments <br> [[Shilpa Architects]]
| relatives = [[Sheila Sri Prakash]] (mother)
}}

'''Bhargav Sri Prakash''' is an [[Indian American]] entrepreneur<ref>{{cite web|url=http://irjrr.com/irjrr/May2016/101.pdf|title=Escalation of Entrepreneurship in Assorted Segments in Indian Market|author=Dr Deepti Gupta|publisher=International Refereed Journal of Reviews and Research|date=June 2016|ISSN=2348-2001}}</ref> known for pioneering advances in life science research and innovation in global health.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ii.umich.edu/csas/news-events/news/search-news/engineering-alum-promotes-childhood-health-education-through-dig.html|title=Engineering Alum Promotes Childhood Health Education through Digital Vaccines|author=Josephine Tolin|date=14 January 2020|publisher=[[University of Michigan]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heinz.cmu.edu/media/2018/December/can-kids-game-their-way-to-better-health|date=December 2018|author=Scott Barsotti|publisher=[[Carnegie Mellon University]]|title=Can Kids Game their Way to Better Health?}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/health/article/indian-health-tech-pioneer-develops-the-worlds-first-digital-vaccine-candidate-for-covid/630113|publisher=[[Times Now]]|author=ANI News|date=31 July 2020|title=Indian health-tech pioneer develops the world's first digital vaccine candidate for COVID-19}}</ref> He is the inventor of [[Digital data|Digital]] [[Vaccine]] technology for prevention of non-commmunicable and infectious diseases.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://digitalhealth.med.brown.edu/news/2020-12-04/digital-vaccines|publisher=[[Brown University]] [[Alpert Medical School]]|title=Digital Vaccines for COVID-19 and Beyond|author=Katie Barry|date=4 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/healthcare/biotech/pharmaceuticals/fooya-founder-in-patent-war-over-digital-vaccine-with-us-pharma-giant/articleshow/62241252.cms|title=Fooya! founder in patent war over digital vaccine with US pharma giant|date=13 January 2018|author=Correspondent|publisher=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/indian-start-resists-boston-firm-110134911.html|publisher=[[Yahoo! News]]|author=Nikhila Natarajan|title=Indian start-up resists Boston firm's bid to trademark digital vaccines|date=21 January 2018}}</ref>

He is an engineer<ref name="Jude Sannith">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8ceYbkT-1Y|title=Fooya: A Game For Healthy Food Habits|author=Jude Sannith|date=3 March 2017|publisher=[[CNBC]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/play-and-learn/article4500838.ece|title=Play and Learn|author=Udhav Naig|publisher=[[The Hindu]]|date = 3 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/an-app-to-help-children-choose-healthy-food/article9448000.ece|title=An app to help children choose healthy food|publisher=[[The Hindu]] Business Line|date=28 December 2016}}</ref> based in [[silicon valley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/print-edition/2013/05/31/friendslearn-shows-food-fights-can-be.html?page=all|title=FriendsLearn Shows Food Fights can be Educational|publisher=[[Silicon Valley]] [[American City Business Journals]]|date = 31 May 2013|author=Cromwell Schubarth}}</ref>

Sri Prakash has worked in [[gamification]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamification.co/2013/03/22/fooya-the-crowdfunded-game-from-india-to-teach-healthy-eating/|title=Fooya the crowdfunded game from India to teach healthy eating|date=22 March 2013|author=Alex Linda|publisher=Gamification.co}}</ref> He is the founder and CEO of [[FriendsLearn]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edtechdigest.wordpress.com/2012/02/06/interview-you-and-your-friendslearn/|title=You and Your FriendsLearn|publisher=EdTech Digest|author=Victor Rivero|date= 6 February 2012}}</ref> and is the Chief of Product for [[Fooya]],<ref name="Jude Sannith"/> which is a mobile app designed to improve health.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://medicinex.stanford.edu/conf/submission/view/629|date=March 2017|author=Stanford School of Medicine|publisher=Stanford MedicineX: Abstract list of peer reviewed presentations|title=Research and evidence backed approach of innovation towards implementing a digital vaccine for reducing risk of lifestyle disease}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://medicinex.stanford.edu/accepted-presentations/|date=September 2015|author=Stanford School of Medicine|publisher=Stanford MedicineX: Abstract list of peer reviewed presentations|title=Neuropsychology based behavior design through mobile health gaming}}</ref><ref name="obesityweek1">{{cite web|url=http://2014.obesityweek.com/wp/uploads/2014/10/TOS-Posters.pdf|publisher=[[The Obesity Society]]|author=Dr. Jennette P. Moreno, Dr. Craig A. Johnston, et al; Department of Pediatrics & Nutrition, [[Baylor College of Medicine]] Children's Nutrition Research Center/[[USDA]]|title=A Nutrition Education Mobile Game Impacts Snack Selection in Middle School Students|date=2 November 2014|access-date=1 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060846/http://2014.obesityweek.com/wp/uploads/2014/10/TOS-Posters.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

He is a former professional tennis player<ref name="itftennis.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.itftennis.com/seniors/players/player/profile.aspx?playerid=10014127|publisher=[[International Tennis Federation]]|title=Sri Prakash, Bhargav (Player Profile)|date=1992}}</ref> and junior national champion from [[India]].<ref name="Top Male Tennis Players of India">{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topiclist/Indian-male-tennis-players|publisher=[[Times of India]]|title=Top Male Tennis Players of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228215159/https://www.thisismyindia.com/sports/tennis.html|title=Tennis in India and a list of Champions through History|date=December 2018|publisher=This is My India}}</ref>

==Early life==
[[File:Bhargav Sri Prakash Former Indian Junior Tennis Champion.jpg|thumb|Bhargav Sri Prakash Former Indian Junior Tennis Champion (1991, Sportstar: published by [[The Hindu]]), [[Chennai]], [[India]])]]
[[File:RamanathanKrishnanAward.jpg|thumb|A photo of 13 year old Bhargav Sri Prakash being felicitated by [[Ramanathan Krishnan]] for winning the National Junior tennis championship]]
Bhargav Sri Prakash was born in [[Chennai]], India.<ref name=dob>{{cite web|url=http://www.itzchennai.com/pride-of-chennai.html|date=January 2012|publisher=Itz Chennai|title=Pride of Chennai – A list of people that make Chennai proud|access-date=8 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108232312/http://www.itzchennai.com/pride-of-chennai.html|archive-date=8 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> He is the son of architect, urban designer and artist [[Sheila Sri Prakash]] and M. V. Sri Prakash.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shilpaarchitects.com|publisher=[[Shilpa Architects]]|title=Shilpa Architects – Leadership Team}}</ref> He was the top ranked junior tennis player in the nation in the early 1990s.<ref name="Top Male Tennis Players of India"/> He also played in international tournaments representing [[India]] and had a career best [[International Tennis Federation]] world ranking of 761.<ref name="itftennis.com"/> He enrolled in the [[Birla Institute of Technology and Science]] but dropped out in his first semester and returned to [[Chennai]] because "the tennis courts on campus at BITS were tarred and the net appeared to be a hammock",<ref>{{cite news|publisher=[[Dina Thanthi]]|date=28 August 2013|title=A Journey for Health}}</ref> as he described in an interview. He gained an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the [[College of Engineering, Guindy]]<ref name="thehindu">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/play-and-learn/article4500838.ece|title=Play and learn|first=Udhav|last=Naig|date=12 March 2013|publisher=|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> and went on to attend graduate school on a research fellowship at the [[University of Michigan]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tmd.pub.umich.edu/news/michigan-entrepreneurs-design-innovative-facebook-game?page=0,0|title=Fooya|date=19 February 2013|publisher=[[University of Michigan]] [[Ann Arbor]]}}</ref> in [[Ann Arbor, Michigan|Ann Arbor]], where he graduated with a master's degree in [[Automotive Engineering]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/cfe.UofM/photos/a.122388459651.103771.23490969651/10153250621919652/?type=1&theater|publisher=[[University of Michigan]] Center for Entrepreneurship|date=13 August 2015|author=UM CFE|title=Learn to become comfortable with the uncomfortable}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.michigandaily.com/news/michigan-entrepreneurs-design-innovative-facebook-game|title=Michigan Entrepreneurs Design Innovative Facebook Game|publisher=The Michigan Daily|date=19 February 2013}}</ref>

==Career==
[[File:Digital Vaccines by Sri Prakash - Lecture at Stanford School of Medicine.png|thumb|Inventor of [[Computer|Digital]] [[Vaccines]] gives a lecture during the 2017 Stanford MedicineX at [[Stanford School of Medicine]], a leading academic conference for breakthroughs of technology in medicine]]
[[File:Bhargav NTLF 2020 NASSCOM.png|thumb|Bhargav Sri Prakash gives the Opening Keynote Session & Panel on Future of Healthcare & Technology - 2020 [[NASSCOM]] Technology Leadership Forum]]
He started his first company, CADcorporation, when he was enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Michigan to commercialise his graduate research in math-based simulations for design optimisation of automotive powertrain systems.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/50779/2000-fall-dividend.pdf;jsessionid=0D1251743ACDE510344883CBD0981714?sequence=1|publisher=University of Michigan Business School, Dividend|title=From Idea to IPO in 14 Weeks|date=Fall 2000}}</ref> After selling CADcorporation, he founded Vmerse in 2005, which was the first to market<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.admissions.umich.edu:80/vmerse/|publisher=[[University of Michigan]], [[Ann Arbor]]|date=29 August 2008|title=Vmerse|author=UM Office of Undergraduate Admissions|access-date=29 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829161542/http://www.admissions.umich.edu/vmerse/|archive-date=29 August 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncid.umich.edu/events/Spencer.ppt|publisher=[[University of Michigan]], [[Ann Arbor]]|date=10 March 2008|title=Vmerse|author=Ted Spencer|access-date=11 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426150922/http://www.ncid.umich.edu/events/Spencer.ppt|archive-date=26 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> with a gamified 3D [[virtual reality]] simulation platform for college recruiting and alumni relations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ceo.umich.edu/2009conference/confirmed_presentation.html|title=Center for Educational Outreach Conference Agenda|year=2009|publisher=Center for Educational Outreach at the [[University of Michigan]] [[Ann Arbor]]|access-date=11 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202225841/http://ceo.umich.edu/2009conference/confirmed_presentation.html|archive-date=2 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> He sold Vmerse in 2009. In 2008 he started an investment fund and asset management company – Nirmana Investments – and served as a managing director.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/healthy-lifestyle-choices-fooya-helps-change-kids-behaviour-towards-food-in-a-fun-way/594725/|title=Healthy lifestyle choices: Fooya helps change kids' behaviour towards food in a fun way|date=20 March 2017|publisher=[[The Financial Express (India)|Financial Express]]|author=Sushila Ravindranath}}</ref>

Based on his experience with Vmerse, he was appointed an entrepreneur [[fellow]] of the [[Kauffman Foundation]] in 2011, to address education and health issues, which is when he founded FriendsLearn.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.entrepreneurship.org/Kauffman-Labs/Labs-Inaugural-Class/Friends-Learn.aspx|title=Kauffman Foundation Education Ventures Fellows}}</ref>

==Awards and honors==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Name !! Awarding organization !! References
|-
| 2020
| Digital Disruptor
| [[NASSCOM]]
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.expresshealthcare.in/covid19-updates/our-digital-vaccines-build-resistance-to-covid-19-causing-hygiene-related-behaviours/424541/ |title=Our Digital Vaccines Build Resistance to COVID-19 causing Hygiene related Behaviors |author=Lakshmipriya Nair |date=5 September 2020 | publisher = Express Healthcare}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwMDVN-O9jk|title=Bhargav Sri Prakash in conversation with Suresh Venkat|publisher=[[NASSCOM]] Technology Leadership Forum |date=22 February 2020}}</ref>
|-
| 2019
| Top breakthrough in technology
| [[Carnegie Mellon University]] - Year in Review
|<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.timesnownews.com/health/article/indian-health-tech-pioneer-develops-the-worlds-first-digital-vaccine-candidate-for-covid/630113| publisher=[[Times Now]] | date=31 July 2020 | title = Indian health-tech pioneer develops the world's first digital vaccine candidate for COVID-19 | author = Correspondent}}</ref>
|}

==See also==
* [[List of Indian entrepreneurs]]
* [[List of University of Michigan alumni]]
* [[List of Inventors]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Bhargav Sri Prakash}}
* [http://www.friendslearn.com] – Official web site of [[FriendsLearn]] Inc
* [http://www.nirmana.com] – Official web site of Nirmana Investments

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prakash, Bhargav Sri}}
[[Category:College of Engineering, Guindy alumni]]
[[Category:Indian chief executives]]
[[Category:Indian corporate directors]]
[[Category:Indian billionaires]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Chennai]]
[[Category:Indian male tennis players]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:University of Michigan College of Engineering alumni]]
[[Category:Engineers from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Tamil billionaires]]
[[Category:Indian emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian inventors]]
[[Category:American investors]]
[[Category:American businesspeople of Indian descent]]
[[Category:20th-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:American automotive engineers]]
[[Category:American chairpersons of corporations]]
[[Category:American computer businesspeople]]
[[Category:American computer programmers]]
[[Category:American software engineers]]
[[Category:American technology chief executives]]
[[Category:American technology company founders]]
[[Category:Patent holders|America]]
[[Category:American inventors|patent holders]]
[[Category:People from Palo Alto, California]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in information technology]]
[[Category:Chief technology officers]]
[[Category:Engineers from California]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Michigan]]
[[Category:21st-century American inventors]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian engineers]]
[[Category:Indian patent holders]]
[[Category:1977 births]]

Bhargav Sri Prakash - Revision history

>Scorpions13256 at 03:53, 10 July 2021