Business Insider: UC tech leader had humble origins
Venture capitalist Vinod Dham got his start with a study abroad loan from UC
Business Insider named University of Cincinnati alumnus Vinod Dham to its list of 13 immigrants to the United States who became global technology leaders.
According to Business Insider, Dham came from India with $8 in his pocket to pursue his interest in electrical engineering. He worked as a research assistant in UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science and also got a loan from UC to support himself.
After graduating with a master's degree in electrical engineering from UC, he joined Intel where he developed the first flash memory chip and became known as "the father of Pentium."
Today, he works as a venture capitalist.
Also included on Business Insider's list: Google co-founder Sergey Brin (former Soviet Union); PayPal, Tesla and SpaceX tycoon Elon Musk (South Africa); former Intel CEO Andy Grove (Hungary) and Instagram co-founder Mike Krieger (Brazil).
Related Stories
University of Cincinnati, UC Foundation launch UC Promise scholarship match
September 29, 2026
A partnership between the University of Cincinnati and the University of Cincinnati Foundation is expanding scholarship support for Ohio students.
UC researchers examine ethics of evolving AI
September 28, 2026
Spectrum News highlighted research by the University of Cincinnati to examine questions about harm, trust and fairness surrounding artificial intelligence.
UC part of $18 million initiative to expand behavioral health workforce in Ohio
September 23, 2026
The University of Cincinnati is participating in a new $18 million statewide scholarship program, as Cleveland.com recently reported, to address critical shortages of mental health and substance use treatment providers across Ohio.