Today is a special day, just minutes ago, we announced our first institutional round of investment totaling $12.5 million for gWallet. It was led by Adams Street Partners, Trinity Ventures, and included various other prominent investors. You can read the formal press release is here: http://www.gwallet.com/press/gwallet_closes_funding.html
As many of you know, I originally created gWallet to be a platform for offers in the coupon space. We tried that and changed our direction. I’m probably the most critical person and I’ve set the bar pretty high for myself. I sold my first Company for $40 million at 18, my second one for $300 million at 25, and at 27 started gWallet. Even though the coupon space was interesting, it wasn’t quite big enough of a challenge for me. I also have an important philosophy when it comes to business that I even mentioned in my book. Here’s an excerpt from it:
“Most people think they need to know exactly what they want to do when they start a business, but they’re wrong. If you go into something with a very specific plan, you might be so focused on your goal that you won’t see the promising opportunities that present themselves as you make your way along. Take the blinders off. Look around. Don’t be afraid to go off on all sorts of unusual directions, since that’s where you might just find the most unusual—and promising—opportunities.”
That’s why we changed our focus and became a platform in the virtual currency space. And have had tremendous success thus far. It’s a new, multi-billion dollar market with a bigger challenge and something I feel we can dominate.
And, even though we raised $12.5 million – that just means the journey officially begins for us. The formula to success is going to be on hiring the best rockstars, innovating, and most importantly executing. The capital will give us great resources to open new offices throughout the world, launch our several product initiatives, and even potentially acquire companies.
I’m very excited about this milestone. I always felt – the third time can be a charm. And, I am hoping I can create #3, to be even bigger then my prior 2. With God by my side, I think I may have a great shot at this.
Steve Jobs once said these four words in a speech – and they’ve resonated with me since. “Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish.” To me this means – to never forget where you came from, and most importantly, never forget where you want to go.”
Here’s to another incredible journey…
Tags: adams street partners, bluelithium, clickagents, gambit, gwallet, offerpal, optimization, platform, scamville, steve jobs, super rewards, trinity ventures, virtual currency
December 1st, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Wow! That is such awesome news to hear! =) Here’s to wishing you the very best with venture no.3. I’m sure, as others are as well, that you’ll surpass your wildest dreams with your focus! You don’t need luck, you’ve got a passion/ a drive that’ll take you there. =)
December 1st, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Congratulations! Knowing how tight the funding market has been and how dense the space you’re entering is, this is quite an accomplishment.
December 1st, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Congratulations on starting a new journey! And I am totally with you that enterprises (especially start-ups) should adjust the plan and goals according to the market and opportunities that come along. My experience working in a internet start up and seeing it grow up from a 10-person company to a successful website with more than 100 million users and 200 employees proves that to be true. There is no doubt that a great team and good management skills are also key to the success. As you mentioned in the blog, keep in mind that “stay hungry, stay foolish” and I believe you will achieve a even bigger success!
December 1st, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Congrats! Best of luck for the future and god bless you always =)
December 1st, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Congrats! You have done a good job. Economy is so bad yet you have put an effort to your success. Keep the hard work up.
December 1st, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Give the world the best you have, and the best will come to you!
Congratulations!
December 1st, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Congratulations
December 1st, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Your drive and social responsibility efforts are inspirational to many. Congratulations and continued blessings!!
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:03 am
Congratulations on this milestone, Gurbaksh! I have enjoyed following your career over the past year and look forward to hearing more in the future. Keep dreaming!
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:44 am
Hi dude ,
That was really gr8 …i m amazed to see ths…u r really a motivation to all humans tht if u hav will to win thr is npothing which can stop u…
Take care n God bless u ,…
Ranjeet
December 4th, 2009 at 1:39 am
hi brother thats really very gud
we proud of you
December 5th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Hi G,
Congrats and on that note would like to bring to your notice that links coming in google search results for your site are not correct i have tried to send mail to ur site info and other contacts as well hope it gets corrected as it being a internet thing the results should be correct . Its just my thought, hope it helps you.
December 6th, 2009 at 4:37 am
hey,
I came to know about your success and about your journey today. very motivational stuff… wish you good luck for everything and I pray to lord to bless you with more success and happiness with a balance… cheers to you ..
take care
December 6th, 2009 at 4:40 am
hey,
I came to know about your success and about your journey today. very motivational stuff… wish you good luck for everything and I pray to lord to bless you with more success and happiness with a balance… cheers to you ..
take care
December 12th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Hi G,
Recently I came to know about your success and about you and your journey and i congrats you for your great success.Congratulations on starting a new journey as i am a student aged 17 i took you as my one of the inspiration i wish a good luck for your project Gwallet….
December 13th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Heylo.. congrats…
one thing i really loved about reading this was – If you go into something with a very specific plan, you might be so focused on your goal that you won’t see the promising opportunities that present themselves as you make your way along. – thanx for giving this awesum word of wisdom right at the moment when i needed it most..
December 16th, 2009 at 10:03 am
This so insane, couldn’t imagine that i would become millionaire at 18
December 17th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Congratulations! Just read the good news! All my good wishes for your future.
December 19th, 2009 at 6:50 am
I have read your book before,i am from china.It is so nice to learn from your story.I can feel power from the book.I also like to do business ,so what you said was usefull for me.I will not give up my dream too.Then wish you can see more view in your new journey.
December 22nd, 2009 at 11:48 pm
I came across your blog today…and I am so impressed with your achievements. U are definitely an inspiration to many out there. Keep up the good work, and keep inspiring the others
December 23rd, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Congrats guy. You have succeded. Help your countrymen. any job for me. Thanks so much
December 31st, 2009 at 6:09 am
Congratulations! Hope to hear more great stuff from you next year!
Vegas would really turn me into a 2nd hand smoker if I stay there too long 
By the way, I saw your tweet. Have fun in Vegas! I was there last weekend. It was fine except the cigarette pollution part.
January 1st, 2010 at 3:03 pm
SSA,
I have read your book and i admit it was the first book i ever read. It was really inspiring. God Bless on your new Journey Veer. Good LUCK!
January 2nd, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Just wanted to say…thank you very much..for inspiring me to go off the edge and do something different..to get rid of the herd mentality i had,and do something new.
All the best and thank you once again.
January 8th, 2010 at 9:17 am
Good Luck in your next journey, keep up the good work
January 8th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
You making india feel proud………….wat else
January 8th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
wish you good luck
January 14th, 2010 at 6:45 am
just wanna thank you for proving that dreams do come true n now m gonna do the same with mine……you are a genius!!!!!
January 17th, 2010 at 2:53 am
Good luck on any of your journey and thank you, you’re really inspiring me..
January 17th, 2010 at 10:19 am
hey,I am Supratip Dutta. A dreamer like you. Belive me I never heard of you before. But today when i learnt about you,I feel even I can be someone like you.Congratulations for all your success and wish you all the more of it. Hope we meet in our ways!You will always be my motivation.Thanks..
January 27th, 2010 at 3:15 am
Hi G.
I found out about you last night because your episode of “The Secret Millionaire” only reached us in Africa this week. I was touched from the bottom of my heart. Thanks for the inspiration. All the best with venture number 3. You are a real visionary G….
January 28th, 2010 at 11:39 am
G, i learnt lot of things from you, i had one dream to sit beside you and want to know your style of working,one day i wish i can meet you. Best of luck for gwallet and SSA to uncle and aunt.
BYEEEE
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:55 am
Hi Mr Chahal
I only have one word.. AWESOME!!!! I just got to know about you tonight as my brother asked me if i knew Gurbaksh Chahal?? And i was like NOOOO…. But now i know coz i have seen and read all i cud find about you… I am sending you an email with my resume… I hope i will get a reply.. Thanks.
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:56 am
Hi Mr Chahal
I only have one word.. AWESOME!!!! I just got to know about you tonight as my brother asked me if i knew Gurbaksh Chahal?? And i was like NOOOO…. But now i know coz i have seen and read all i cud find about you… I am sending you an email with my resume… I hope i will get a reply.. Thanks so much…
February 3rd, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Chahal whats your secret?
President Obama, A Harvard Law Professor makes only $400,000 a year times 60 years is $24 million.
How does an 18 year old make more money than a Harvard Law Professor who works his entire life?
February 6th, 2010 at 4:52 am
hey …….you know my e-mail id but i dont know yours………can i get it pleaseeeeeeee?????
February 6th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
Bhaji,SSA, u have become my role model. by ur inspiration i am going to open a bakery business this summer in Calgary, Canada. and have made my vision in this business. i wish to meet u one day. i wish you good luck and also i wish to see u in top ten billionaires very soon.
Best Regards
Harjap Dhaliwal
Calgary, Alberta
February 8th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
While searching on google, I came to know about you. what an achievement Hats off to you. Best of luck for your future.
February 9th, 2010 at 12:13 am
Hi G. Your thoughts on new business are so inspiring. I’ve just begun with a new venture, will take learnings from you. You’ve put it so well ‘Most people think they need to know exactly what they want to do when they start a business, but they’re wrong. If you go into something with a very specific plan, you might be so focused on your goal that you won’t see the promising opportunities that present themselves as you make your way along. Don’t be afraid to go off on all sorts of unusual directions, since that’s where you might just find the most unusual—and promising—opportunities’. I badly want to read your book, still looking out for a copy. I will soon. I know you are a role model for my, for me you’re guru. Toh gurudev apni shishya ko kuch gyan den. If you ever happen to come to India, do let me know i would love to meet you. Till then keep rocking
February 9th, 2010 at 3:43 am
Another success asian people
.. good luck
February 16th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
I m a girl who has very high dreams..n i hv plenty ideas to implement…but due to certain constraints..wic i myself is responsible for ..cant make it…wat life u hv 2day(is my dream life…since i ws small)…had lost complete hopes bcz things r jus not working my way!!!…ur message above…is a real boost 4 ppl like me…
for u i wud say…INDIA…is simply blessed to hv ppl like u … i wish in future u come here n preach our teenagers…dey simply need a guide like u…
now i m sure i will find my way soon..
hope to see u someday!!!!
god bless u!!!
regards
riddhi vadera (INDIA)
February 20th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Gurbaksh!
Your success and the journey of it is inspiring.
I have a naive question.. I really don’t understand what you mean by “virtual currency”? I don’t know know if you care to explain and it is intriguing as it seem to drive your ambition.
My background is of medical field, will appreciate some enlightment : )
Thanks for your time.
Jasjot
February 24th, 2010 at 8:04 am
i just want to say that you r simply outstanding. i also believe in just an idea make you differ from the heap around you.so, i would also imply my interest as i get opportunity and really wanna chase in this race where u already got an awesome prize. you really supported my will power of nothing is impossible. all the very best for you carrier.
February 24th, 2010 at 9:43 am
Have you stopped blogging completely in favour of twitter?
come baaaack!
February 25th, 2010 at 12:02 am
congrts…yaar…God Bless U !!
February 26th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Hello Gurbaksh,
I am inspired by your words and thoughts about sucess resonating with happiness. I’m impressed and looking forward to reading your book “the dream”!!
I think Steve Jobs is an incredible man to say the least. Thanks for posting his speech.
I am impressed with you Gurbaksh and hope there will be a place where I can share with you my feedback once I read your book! Please feel free to send me an e-mail if you would like to know my feedback about your books.
Regards,
Sunny Brar
March 9th, 2010 at 8:21 am
its been sooooooooo long that u wrote a blog……..please come back……..
we need you here!!!!!!!!!