Vaibhav “Mopi” Mopidevi joined Prequel, a leading New York City-based data infrastructure startup, as Head of Growth and employee #6 - the company's first non-engineering hire. This appointment marked a milestone in his journey, which began as a Hesburgh Yusko Scholar at Notre Dame.
In his new position at Prequel, Mopi is leading the company's growth strategy, working closely with partners to expand Prequel's presence in the data infrastructure market. His work focuses on building relationships with engineering and product leaders, understanding their complex data challenges, and helping them better service their customers.
Mopi credits the Hesburgh Yusko Scholarship as one of the most meaningful experiences that led to his eventual pursuit of startups. The program's emphasis on professional development and entrepreneurial thinking opened doors to unique opportunities - notably, through the program's support, Mopi became the first Notre Dame student selected for Battery Ventures' highly competitive externship program, chosen from hundreds of applicants nationwide. Many Notre Dame students have followed in his footsteps and have been accepted since.
While Notre Dame offers an impressive array of resources for students seeking opportunities beyond the classroom—including the Notre Dame Career Center and the Center for Undergraduate Scholarly Engagement (CUSE)—the Hesburgh Yusko Scholarship provided something uniquely valuable. The scholarship program exposed Mopi to a tight-knit community of movers and shakers who embodied a proactive approach to change.
These were individuals who didn't wait for things to evolve naturally but took decisive action to shape their desired outcomes. Inspired by those around him and his own hustle, Mopi took many initiatives during his four years, from helping design the annual gameday football shirt to performing in sold-out shows in the annual Show Some Skin theatrical performances.
Growing up in Bangalore, famously known as the Silicon Valley of India, Mopi developed an early interest in technology and startups. This foundation, combined with his experiences at Battery Ventures and serving as General Partner of Notre Dame's Venture Capital, shaped his career path. With guidance and mentorship from older Hesburgh Yusko alums, he found his calling in tech. This passion initially led him to venture capital, where he invested in growth-stage companies out of a $300 million fund. His investments spanned various sectors, with a particular focus on cybersecurity and vertical software as a service.
Working with founders and executives inspired him to pursue more hands-on roles, which led him to join Prequel. The Hesburgh Yusko Scholarship has played a pivotal role in shaping Mopi's career trajectory, showing how the program helps nurture future leaders who make significant contributions in their chosen fields.
Beyond his core work, Mopi has been invited to give talks to entrepreneurs building their companies at The IDEA Centre, serve as a judge at Princeton University & Stanford University Hackathons, and advise business authors on their works. He is also the co-founder of the Notre Dame NYC Tech Group, which has become a vibrant hub for alumni to exchange industry insights, explore career opportunities, and forge meaningful connections. What started as informal meetups has evolved into an active community of 350+ alumni who collaborate on projects, share job opportunities, and mentor fellow Notre Dame graduates entering the tech sector.