Mukund Thapa

Mukund Thapa played Bridge in college and then gave it up. When his daughter Isha showed interest, he picked it up again to be able to teach her. He realized that, for him, the best part of the game was being able to spend time with his teenage daughter; and that, given the opportunity, many more parents could benefit in a similar manner. He feels strongly that something needs to be done to attract more youth players to the game, and is excited to be a part of Silicon Valley Youth Bridge whose mission is to do just that.

Mukund Thapa is the founder and chief technology architect for Video-Monet. He envisioned a comprehensive business oriented multi-point videoconferencing solution across all devices, including mobile, well before the smartphones were launched. He has over 25 years’ experience as an entrepreneur, software developer, mathematician and computer scientist. At Optical Fusion, Inc., he is responsible for the technology architecture and managing the US-based organization, as well as its subsidiary in Bengaluru, India.

Mukund Thapa graduated with a PhD in Operations Research from Stanford University. His past accomplishment include:

• Prior to Optical Fusion, Inc., he founded Stanford Business Software, Inc. where he developed custom algorithms for satellite communications, large-scale mathematical models, databases, GUI, specialized algorithms, and financial models.

• He has been a consulting professor at Stanford University and has taught PhD/MS level courses there in the past.

• His publications include two textbooks on linear programming with Professor George B. Dantzig, inventor of linear programming; and, a forthcoming textbook on Linear/Nonlinear programming with Professor Richard Cottle of Stanford University.

• He has four published patents (one on satellite communications and three in videoconferencing). Several others have been filed and are pending approval.

His hobbies include music, movies (including film making), and books. He plays percussion and harmonica with the rock band Switchblade Nixon.