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'''Gurbaksh Singh Chahal''' (born July 17, 1982) is an Indian-American internet entrepreneur, writer, and philanthropist. Chahal has founded two internet advertising companies, ClickAgents and [[BlueLithium]]<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Ferenstein |first=Gregory |url=http://www.fastcompany.com/1743178/radiumone-ceo-talks-mcdonalds-rejection-social-ads-and-do-not-track-legislation |title=RadiumOne CEO on His McDonald's Rejection, Social Ads, and Do-Not-Track Legislation | Fast Company | Business + Innovation |magazine=Fast Company |date=2011-03-29 |accessdate=2015-03-01}}</ref> and he is also the founder of [[RadiumOne]] and [[Gravity4]], also online advertising technology companies; Taara Labs<ref>{{cite news| title= Gurbaksh Chahal’s Taara Labs is giving a boost to AI start-ups across the world| url = https://in.style.yahoo.com/gurbaksh-chahal-taara-labs-giving-043644714.html}}</ref> and RedLotus.<ref>{{cite news| title=Gurbaksh Chahal –founded RedLotus is transforming customer service & experience| url = https://kathmandutribune.com/gurbaksh-chahal-founded-redlotus-is-transforming-customer-service-experience/}}</ref> Through Chahal Foundation, he has launched initiatives to help people affected by disaster.<ref>{{cite news| title= Gurbaksh Chahal’s ‘The Chahal Foundation’ brings light to lives of disaster victims| url = https://www.thestatesman.com/inspiration-hub/gurbaksh-chahals-the-chahal-foundation-brings-light-to-lives-of-disaster-victims-1502783864.html}}</ref> |
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'''Gurbaksh Singh Chahal''' (born July 17, 1982) is an Indian-American internet entrepreneur, noted for founding several internet advertising companies. He has been convicted twice for [[domestic violence]] and [[battery (crime)|battery crimes]], in 2013 and 2018.<ref name="Hoge-plea">{{cite news|url=http://m.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/2014/04/ad-mogul-gurbaksh-g-chahal-pleads-guilty-to-two.html|title=Ad mogul Gurbaksh "G" Chahal pleads guilty to two misdemeanors, all others dismissed in domestic violence case|last1=Hoge|first1=Patrick|date=April 17, 2014|work=San Francisco Business Times}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name="businessinsider.com">Carson, Biz (August 14, 2016) [http://www.businessinsider.com/gurbaksh-chahal-rise-and-fall-background-history-2015-11 “The rise and fall of Gurbaksh Chahal: How one tech CEO went from fame, fortune, and Oprah's couch to possible jail time.”] Business Insider. (Retrieved April 9, 2017).</ref><ref name="sfgate.com">Ma, Annie (April 27, 2018) [https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Court-upholds-ruling-against-SF-tech-mogul-Chahal-12870668.php "Court upholds ruling against SF tech mogul Chahal in domestic violence case."] San Francisco Chronicle. (Retrieved June 11, 2018.)</ref> |
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Chahal has been convicted twice for [[domestic violence]] and [[battery (crime)|battery crimes]], once in 2013 and again in 2018.<ref name="Hoge-plea">{{cite news|url=http://m.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/2014/04/ad-mogul-gurbaksh-g-chahal-pleads-guilty-to-two.html|title=Ad mogul Gurbaksh "G" Chahal pleads guilty to two misdemeanors, all others dismissed in domestic violence case|last1=Hoge|first1=Patrick|date=April 17, 2014|work=San Francisco Business Times}}</ref> |
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== Personal life == |
== Personal life == |
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Chahal was born to Avtar Singh and Arjinder Chahal in [[Tarn Taran Sahib]], a city in [[India]]’s [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] state. In 1985 at age four he moved with his family to |
Chahal was born to Avtar Singh and Arjinder Chahal<ref>{{cite news| title= Gurbaksh chahal| url = https://www.slideshare.net/aksamyal/gurbaksh-chahal-128273518}}</ref> in [[Tarn Taran Sahib]], a city in [[India]]’s [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] state. In 1985 at age four he moved with his family to [[San Jose, California]]. Chahal dropped out of high school at age sixteen to pursue a career in Internet advertising.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/24/LV8P13K9P3.DTL&hw=gurbaksh&sn=001&sc=1000|title=Advice from young millionaire Gurbaksh Chahal|date=October 26, 2008|newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|accessdate=January 6, 2010 | first=Carolyne | last=Zinko}}</ref> He has a sister Kamal Kaur, who is now the chairwoman and CEO of DaVinci Marketing Cloud.<ref>{{cite news| title= Gurbaksh Chahal out as Gravity4 CEO after probation ruling| url = https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/28/gurbaksh-chahal-out-as-gravity4-ceo/}}</ref> and an elder brother Taj Chahal.<ref>{{cite news| title= The rise and fall of Gurbaksh Chahal: How one tech CEO went from fame, fortune, and Oprah's couch to possible jail time| url = https://www.businessinsider.in/The-rise-and-fall-of-Gurbaksh-Chahal-How-one-tech-CEO-went-from-fame-fortune-and-Oprahs-couch-to-possible-jail-time/articleshow/53699669.cms}}</ref> |
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===Domestic violence and battery conviction=== |
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In August 2013, Chahal was charged under 47 counts<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/internet-mogul-gurbaksh-chahal-back-in-court-monday/|title=Internet mogul Gurbaksh Chahal back in court Monday|date=2014-03-09|website=The San Francisco Examiner|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-23}}</ref><ref name="sfgate.com" /> by the [[San Francisco District Attorney's Office]] (SFDA) for engaging in gross [[domestic violence]] against his girlfriend<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/attorney-for-internet-mogul-gurbaksh-chahal-call-domestic-violence-charges-overblown/Content?oid=2540544|title=DA: Internet mogul hit girlfriend 117 times over a half-hour period | Crime & Courts | San Francisco | San Francisco Examiner|last=Sabatini|first=Joshua|date=|publisher=Sfexaminer.com|accessdate=2015-03-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/gurbaksh-chahal-former-ceo-fired-after-domestic-violence-plea-settles-dispute-with-radiumone/|title=Gurbaksh Chahal, former CEO fired after domestic violence plea, settles dispute with RadiumOne|date=2014-07-21|website=The San Francisco Examiner|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-23}}</ref>; whilst the victim refused to co-operate with the prosecution and later urged for dropping of charges, CCTV footage came to their aid.<ref>{{Citation|last=Lee|first=Newton|title=Personal Total Information Awareness|date=2014|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1740-2_15|work=Facebook Nation: Total Information Awareness|pages=305–345|editor-last=Lee|editor-first=Newton|publisher=Springer|language=en|doi=10.1007/978-1-4939-1740-2_15|isbn=978-1-4939-1740-2|access-date=2020-01-23}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/judge-quashes-video-evidence-in-internet-moguls-domestic-violence-case/|title=Judge quashes video evidence in Internet mogul’s domestic violence case|date=2014-04-02|website=The San Francisco Examiner|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-23}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/Internet-mogul-pleads-not-guilty-to-assault-4719376.php|title=Internet mogul pleads not guilty to assault|date=2013-08-09|website=SFChronicle.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-23}}</ref> Initially, Chahal claimed of innocence describing the episode as a mere loss of 'temper' on learning of adultery, and was bailed on a sum of $1 million.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" /> However, with judge Brendan Conroy refusing to entertain the video-footage on grounds of unlawful seizure<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/Entrepreneur-accused-of-beating-had-high-profile-6500810.php|title=Entrepreneur accused of beating had high-profile backing|date=2015-09-12|website=SFChronicle.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-23}}</ref> (thereby massively weakening the prosecution-defense<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Tech-mogul-Gurbaksh-Chahal-s-lawyers-attack-7541880.php|title=Tech mogul Gurbaksh Chahal's lawyers attack accuser's credibility|date=2016-05-17|website=SFChronicle.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-23}}</ref>), Chahal entered into a bargain and plead guilty to one charge of [[domestic violence|domestic violence battery]] and one charge of [[battery (crime)|battery]]. He was sentenced to three years' [[probation]], a 52-week domestic violence training course, and 25 hours of [[community service]].<ref name="Nagle">{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/article_email/radiumone-worked-to-save-ipo-amid-scandal-1441837667-lMyQjAxMTE1NjAxOTMwMzk2Wj|title=RadiumOne Worked to Save IPO Amid Scandal|last=Nagle|first=Rob|date=September 9, 2015|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|accessdate=10 September 2015}}</ref> Chahal was subsequently fired as CEO of RadiumOne by the company's board of directors on April 27<ref name="Fired" />; he has since went on to re-claim his innocence, and alleges coercion by the board behind his' pleading guilty.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/gurbaksh-chahal-former-ceo-fired-after-domestic-violence-plea-settles-dispute-with-radiumone/|title=Gurbaksh Chahal, former CEO fired after domestic violence plea, settles dispute with RadiumOne|date=2014-07-21|website=The San Francisco Examiner|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-23}}</ref> |
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In 2016, he was again charged by SFDA for multiple violations of his probation, including physical assault of his then-girlfriend in September 2014 and restricting her from contacting emergency services; the victim was an Korean immigrant and refused to attend the trials on grounds of personal safety.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/safety-concerns-keep-ex-girlfriend-from-sf-tech-ceos-probation-hearing/|title=Safety concerns keep ex-girlfriend from SF tech CEO’s probation hearing|date=2016-04-23|website=The San Francisco Examiner|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-23}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/former-tech-ceo-gets-prison-time-for-violating-probation-in-domestic-violence-case/|title=Former tech CEO gets prison time for violating probation in domestic violence case|date=2016-08-12|website=The San Francisco Examiner|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-23}}</ref> Whilst the prosecutors argued for an eighteen-month jail-sentence; the [[San Francisco County Superior Court]] reduced it to a year and additionally imposed a bail-bond of $250,000, before staying the order on grounds of a promised appeal.<ref name="sentencing">{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/SF-judge-to-decide-fate-of-Gurbaksh-Chahal-in-9139376.php|title=Tech mogul Gurbaksh Chahal gets 1 year in domestic violence case|author=Rainey, Libby|date=12 Aug 2016|work=San Francisco Chroncile|accessdate=1 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="Conger-appeal">{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/01/despite-looming-jail-time-gurbaksh-chahal-is-back-as-gravity4-ceo/|title=Despite looming jail time, Gurbaksh Chahal is back as Gravity4 CEO|author=Conger, Kate|date=1 September 2016|work=TechCrunch|accessdate=1 November 2016}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> In April 2018, a California state appeals court upheld the ruling.<ref name="sfgate.com" /> Chahal spent six months in [[San Francisco County Jails|San Francisco County Jail]] for the probation violation.<ref>Sernoffsky, Evan (August 31, 2018) [https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Tearful-tech-mogul-Gurbaksh-Chahal-jailed-for-13197715.php?t=5cd5bdafe3 "Tearful tech mogul Gurbaksh Chahal jailed for probation violation."] San Francisco Chronicle. (Retrieved September 1, 2018.)</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Silicon-Valley-Internet-Mogul-Gurbaksh-Chahal-Gets-Year-in-Jail-in-Domestic-Violence-Case-492207291.html|title=Silicon Valley Internet Mogul Gurbaksh Chahal Sentenced to 6 Months in Domestic Violence Case}}</ref> |
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In October 2019, Chahal began dating [[Rubina Bajwa]], a punjabi actress, the sister of veteran actress, [[Neeru Bajwa]]. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/news/exclusive-rubina-bajwa-confirms-her-relationship-gurbaksh-chahal-says-he-centre-my-world-491048|title=EXCLUSIVE: Rubina Bajwa CONFIRMS her relationship with Gurbaksh Chahal; Says 'He is the centre of my world’|website=PINKVILLA|language=en|access-date=2020-01-24}}</ref> |
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Notably whilst the older generation of Sikh migrants supported Chahal and claimed the charges as racially motivated; the millennials criticized him.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Luthra|first=Sangeeta|date=2018-10-02|title=Sikh American millennials at work: Institution building, activism, and a renaissance of cultural expression|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/17448727.2018.1485374|journal=Sikh Formations|volume=14|issue=3-4|pages=280–299|doi=10.1080/17448727.2018.1485374|issn=1744-8727}}</ref> |
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== Career == |
== Career == |
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Chahal started his career buying and reselling [[printer (computing)|printers]] on [[eBay]].<ref name="business insider" /> In 1998 Chahal founded ClickAgents, an [[advertising network]] focused on performance-based advertising. In 2000, ValueClick (now part of [[Alliance Data]]) paid $5.3 million of its shares to purchase ClickAgents.<ref>Editors (November 3, 2000) [http://adage.com/article/news/valueclick-acquires-click-agents/10457/ “ValueClick acquires Click Agents.”] Advertising Age. (Retrieved April 9, 2017).</ref> In 2002 Chahal's Planet Bollywood restaurant burned down.<ref name="business insider">{{cite news| title= The rise and fall of Gurbaksh Chahal: How one tech CEO went from fame, fortune, and Oprah's couch to possible jail time| url = https://www.businessinsider.in/The-rise-and-fall-of-Gurbaksh-Chahal-How-one-tech-CEO-went-from-fame-fortune-and-Oprahs-couch-to-possible-jail-time/articleshow/53699669.cms}}</ref> In 2004, Chahal founded BlueLithium, a company that specialized in [[behavioral targeting]], a technique whereby web users' habits online are tracked in order to show ads they are most likely to click.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article2391674.ece |title=The Times |publisher=Business.timesonline.co.uk|accessdate=2015-03-01}} {{subscription required|date=March 2015}}</ref> In 2007, [[Yahoo!]] bought Blue Lithium for $300 million in cash.<ref>Hendrickson, Mark (September 4, 2007) [https://techcrunch.com/2007/09/04/yahoo-acquires-ad-network-bluelithium/ “Yahoo! Acquires Ad Network BlueLithium.”] TechCrunch. (Retrieved April 9, 2017.)</ref> |
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=== ClickAgents and PlanetBollywood === |
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Chahal started his career buying and reselling [[printer (computing)|printers]] on [[eBay]], after being turned away from a job at McDonalds.<ref name="businessinsider.com" /> In 1998 Chahal founded ''ClickAgents'', an [[advertising network]] focused on performance-based advertising, on the lines of [[DoubleClick]].<ref name="businessinsider.com" /> It was subsequently acquired by ValueClick (now part of [[Alliance Data]]) in 2000 in an all-stock deal valued at nearly $40 million, which paid his parents' mortgages lifting them out of poverty and made him an overnight millionaire.<ref>Editors (November 3, 2000) [http://adage.com/article/news/valueclick-acquires-click-agents/10457/ “ValueClick acquires Click Agents.”] Advertising Age. (Retrieved April 9, 2017).</ref><ref name="businessinsider.com" /> |
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⚫ | In 2009, Chahal founded RadiumOne, another online ad company.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://venturebeat.com/2009/12/01/gwallet-raises-12-5m-for-more-ethical-virtual-currency-system |title=gWallet raises $12.5M for more ethical virtual currency/offers system | VentureBeat | Business | by Dean Takahashi |work=VentureBeat |date=2009-12-01 |accessdate=2015-03-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://blogs.wsj.com/venturecapital/2010/10/18/new-ad-network-radiumone-aims-to-tap-social-mega-trend/ | work=The Wall Street Journal | first=Ty | last=McMahan | title=New Ad Network RadiumOne Aims To Tap Social 'Mega Trend' | date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Chahal was fired as CEO of RadiumOne after he was convicted of [[domestic violence]].<ref name=Fired>{{cite web|last=Swisher|first=Kara|title=Exclusive: CEO Gurbaksh Chahal Fired by RadiumOne Board|url=http://recode.net/2014/04/27/exclusive-ceo-gurbaskh-chahal-fired-by-radiumone-board/|work=Recode|publisher=recode.net/|accessdate=27 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2014/04/25/its-time-for-radiumone-to-fire-its-abusive-ceo/ |title=It’s time for RadiumOne’s abusive CEO to go - Fortune |publisher=Finance.fortune.cnn.com |date=2014-04-25 |accessdate=2015-03-01}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web|last=Weissmann |first=Jordan |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2014/04/24/radiumone_founder_pleads_guilty_to_domestic_abuse.html |title=RadiumOne founder: Pleads guilty to domestic abuse |publisher=Slate.com |date=2014-04-24 |accessdate=2015-03-01}}</ref> RadiumOne was later acquired by [[RhythmOne]].<ref>https://mobilemarketingmagazine.com/radiumone-acquired-by-rhythmone</ref> |
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In 2002 Chahal along with his elder brother launched a restaurant ''Planet Bollywood'', to cater to Indian movie stars flying into California.<ref name="businessinsider.com" /> However, it burned down soon and was not restarted.<ref name="businessinsider.com" /> |
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In July 2014, Chahal launched [[Gravity4]], his fourth technology company in online advertising (the company has since been renamed DaVinci Marketing Cloud).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/gurbaksh-chahal |title=Gurbaksh Chahal |publisher=HuffingtonPost |date=2018-06-09 |accessdate=2018-06-09}}</ref><ref>Editors (January 31, 2018) [http://www.mrweb.com/drno/news25671.htm "Name Change Marks Renaissance for Gravity4."] MrWeb.com (Retrieved June 11, 2016.)</ref> In 2019, Chahal started Taara Labs, an incubator to build startup companies and help solve problems in the field of [[Artificial Intelligence]], [[Internet of things|IoT]], and [[Data Science]].<ref>{{cite news| title= Gurbaksh Chahal’s Taara Labs is giving a boost to AI start-ups across the world| url = https://www.freepressjournal.in/lifestyle/gurbaksh-chahals-taara-labs-is-giving-a-boost-to-ai-start-ups-across-the-world}}</ref> Also in 2019, Chahal founded RedLotus in Hong Kong,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.techcircle.in/2019/11/12/post-radiumone-gurbaksh-chahal-seeks-success-again-with-redlotus-in-talks-to-raise-50-mn|title=Post RadiumOne, Gurbaksh Chahal seeks success again with RedLotus; in talks to raise $50 mn|date=2019-11-12|website=Techcircle|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-13}}</ref> a company that uses [[marketing intelligence]] to help [[brands]] reach out to new audiences.<ref>{{cite news| title= Gurbaksh Chahal –founded RedLotus is transforming customer service & experience| url = https://kathmandutribune.com/gurbaksh-chahal-founded-redlotus-is-transforming-customer-service-experience/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title= Gurbaksh Chahal reveals ways for boosting growth through marketing intelligence| url = https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/theatre/140819/gurbaksh-chahal-reveals-ways-for-boosting-growth-through-marketing-int.html}}</ref> |
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=== BlueLithium === |
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In 2004, after being rejected from [[The Apprentice (American TV series)|The Apprentice]], Chahal co-founded BlueLithium—it specialized in [[behavioral targeting]], a technique whereby web users' habits online are tracked in order to show customized ads<ref>{{cite web|url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article2391674.ece |title=The Times |publisher=Business.timesonline.co.uk|accessdate=2015-03-01}} {{subscription required|date=March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Ferenstein|first=Gregory|date=2011-03-29|title=RadiumOne CEO on His McDonald's Rejection, Social Ads, and Do-Not-Track Legislation | Fast Company | Business + Innovation|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/1743178/radiumone-ceo-talks-mcdonalds-rejection-social-ads-and-do-not-track-legislation|magazine=Fast Company|accessdate=2015-03-01}}</ref> and went on to be widely hailed in the ad-tech industry.<ref name="businessinsider.com" /> In 2007, [[Yahoo!]] bought it for $300 million in cash.<ref>Hendrickson, Mark (September 4, 2007) [https://techcrunch.com/2007/09/04/yahoo-acquires-ad-network-bluelithium/ “Yahoo! Acquires Ad Network BlueLithium.”] TechCrunch. (Retrieved April 9, 2017.)</ref> He had also launched an associated social network ''MingleNow'', for the socioeconomically affluent populace which was accorded a partnership deal by [[Anheuser-Busch]].<ref name="businessinsider.com" /> |
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==Awards and honors== |
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In 2008, he appeared at [[The Oprah Winfrey Show]] and then over [[The Secret Millionaire]], as a new billionaire.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Gurbaksh-Chahal-flew-high-and-fell-fast-9140090.php|title=Gurbaksh Chahal flew high and fell fast|date=2016-08-13|website=SFChronicle.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-23}}</ref><ref name="businessinsider.com" /> His appearance over talk-shows proliferated, and he was widely noted in the press for his extravagant lifestyle.<ref name="businessinsider.com" /> |
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In 2014 Chahal was a recipient of Light of India Jury and People's Choice Awards for Excellence in Business Leadership<ref>{{cite news| title= 19 NRIs honoured with Light of India awards| url = https://www.sify.com/news/19-nris-honoured-with-light-of-india-awards-news-international-mgek4fdbcch.html}}</ref> In 2013 Chahal was awarded Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013 in the Platform Technology category.<ref>{{cite news| title= RadiumOne CEO and Founder Gurbaksh Chahal Awarded as the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) 2013 Winner| url = https://finance.yahoo.com/news/radiumone-ceo-founder-gurbaksh-chahal-120000795.html}}</ref> In 2009 Chahal was one of the recipient of Leaders in Management Award and received an honorary doctorate degree by [[Pace University]].<ref>{{cite news| title= Pace University Names Magazine Publishing Magnate David J. Pecker (’72) and Technology Entrepreneur Gurbaksh Chahal as 2010 Leaders in Management Recipients| url = https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100407005265/en/Pace-University-Names-Magazine-Publishing-Magnate-David}}</ref> He was felicitated by [[DSGMC]] in recognition of his achievements as Global Entrepreneur at an event organized to mark 550th [[birth anniversary]] of first [[Sikh Guru]] – Sri [[Guru Nanak]] Dev.<ref>{{cite news| title= Gurbaksh Chahal honored by DSGMC| url = https://in.style.yahoo.com/gurbaksh-chahal-honored-dsgmc-020240533.html}}</ref> |
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=== RadiumOne === |
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⚫ | In 2009, Chahal founded RadiumOne, another online ad company<ref>{{cite news|url=https://venturebeat.com/2009/12/01/gwallet-raises-12-5m-for-more-ethical-virtual-currency-system |title=gWallet raises $12.5M for more ethical virtual currency/offers system | VentureBeat | Business | by Dean Takahashi |work=VentureBeat |date=2009-12-01 |accessdate=2015-03-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://blogs.wsj.com/venturecapital/2010/10/18/new-ad-network-radiumone-aims-to-tap-social-mega-trend/ | work=The Wall Street Journal | first=Ty | last=McMahan | title=New Ad Network RadiumOne Aims To Tap Social 'Mega Trend' | date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> |
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==Philanthropy== |
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In July 2014, Chahal launched Gravity4 (since renamed to DaVinci Marketing Cloud)<ref>Editors (January 31, 2018) [http://www.mrweb.com/drno/news25671.htm "Name Change Marks Renaissance for Gravity4."] MrWeb.com (Retrieved June 11, 2016.)</ref> and soon tried to purchase back RadiumOne, before being rebuffed.<ref name=":6" /> Gravity4 failed to be successful, despite an initial hype; it acquired numerous ad-tech companies, over-inflating its valuation in the process but failing to integrate them.<ref name=":6" /> Chahal oft-complained about spending his own funds to keep the company running and with the company being subject to a series of litigation on charges of IP infringement, gender-discrimination, corporate intimidation, and wrongful termination, workers started resigning en-masse.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellenhuet/2015/04/21/gurbaksh-chahal-gravity4-lawsuit-gender-discrimination-illegal-surveilllance/|title=Gurbaksh Chahal And Gravity4 Hit With Gender Discrimination, Illegal Surveillance Lawsuit|last=Huet|first=Ellen|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=2020-01-23}}</ref><ref name="businessinsider.com" /> By mid-2016, the company was working from a co-working space and was primarily dependent on its overseas acquisitions.<ref name=":6" /> In November 2016, he was again compelled to resign from the CEO roles and surrender his passport after violations of his probation; his sister took over the company.<ref name=":6" /><ref name="businessinsider.com" /> |
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⚫ | After the [[Wisconsin Sikh temple shooting]], Chahal founded the Chahal Foundation (formerly BeProud Foundation).<ref>{{cite news| title= Serial Entrepreneur Gurbaksh Chahal Commits $1 Million to Stop Hate Crimes| url = https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/224248}}</ref> The foundation creates awareness campaigns to stop future hate crimes, provide scholarships, support disaster relief efforts, and improve schools in third-world countries.<ref>{{cite web|author=Teri Evans |url=http://www.entrepreneur.com/blog/224248 |title=Serial Entrepreneur Gurbaksh Chahal Commits $1 Million to Stop Hate Crimes |publisher=Entrepreneur.com |date=2012-08-21 |accessdate=2015-03-01}}</ref> |
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In 2019, Chahal founded RedLotus in Hong Kong.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.techcircle.in/2019/11/12/post-radiumone-gurbaksh-chahal-seeks-success-again-with-redlotus-in-talks-to-raise-50-mn|title=Post RadiumOne, Gurbaksh Chahal seeks success again with RedLotus; in talks to raise $50 mn|date=2019-11-12|website=Techcircle|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-13}}</ref> |
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==Domestic violence and battery conviction== |
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In August 2013, Chahal was charged by the [[San Francisco District Attorney's Office]] with [[domestic violence]].<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|last=Sabatini |first=Joshua |url=http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/attorney-for-internet-mogul-gurbaksh-chahal-call-domestic-violence-charges-overblown/Content?oid=2540544 |title=DA: Internet mogul hit girlfriend 117 times over a half-hour period | Crime & Courts | San Francisco | San Francisco Examiner |publisher=Sfexaminer.com |date= |accessdate=2015-03-01}}</ref> On April 16, 2014, Chahal pleaded guilty to one charge of [[domestic violence|domestic violence battery]] and one charge of [[battery (crime)|battery]], for which he was sentenced to three years' [[probation]], a 52-week domestic violence training course, and 25 hours of [[community service]].<ref name="Nagle">{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/article_email/radiumone-worked-to-save-ipo-amid-scandal-1441837667-lMyQjAxMTE1NjAxOTMwMzk2Wj|title=RadiumOne Worked to Save IPO Amid Scandal|last=Nagle|first=Rob|date=September 9, 2015|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|accessdate=10 September 2015}}</ref> After this [[domestic violence]] incident, Chahal was fired as CEO of RadiumOne by the company's board of directors on April 27, 2014.<ref name="Fired">{{cite web|last=Swisher|first=Kara|title=Exclusive: CEO Gurbaksh Chahal Fired by RadiumOne Board|url=http://recode.net/2014/04/27/exclusive-ceo-gurbaskh-chahal-fired-by-radiumone-board/|work=Recode|publisher=recode.net/|accessdate=27 April 2014}}</ref> |
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In 2016, after evidence emerged of a second domestic violence incident, a court found he had violated his probation. Chahal was sentenced to one year in jail, but the sentence was stayed pending appeal.<ref name="sentencing">{{cite news | url=http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/SF-judge-to-decide-fate-of-Gurbaksh-Chahal-in-9139376.php | title=Tech mogul Gurbaksh Chahal gets 1 year in domestic violence case | work=San Francisco Chroncile | date=12 Aug 2016 | accessdate=1 November 2016 | author=Rainey, Libby}}</ref><ref name="Conger-appeal">{{cite news | url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/01/despite-looming-jail-time-gurbaksh-chahal-is-back-as-gravity4-ceo/ | title=Despite looming jail time, Gurbaksh Chahal is back as Gravity4 CEO | work=TechCrunch | date=1 September 2016 | accessdate=1 November 2016 | author=Conger, Kate}}</ref> In April 2018, a California state appeals court upheld the 2016 ruling. The court found Chahal guilty of violating his probation when he attacked a woman a year after his domestic violence conviction for beating a different woman in his San Francisco penthouse.<ref name="sfgate.com">Ma, Annie (April 27, 2018) [https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Court-upholds-ruling-against-SF-tech-mogul-Chahal-12870668.php "Court upholds ruling against SF tech mogul Chahal in domestic violence case."] San Francisco Chronicle. (Retrieved June 11, 2018.)</ref> Chahal spent six months in [[San Francisco County Jails|San Francisco County Jail]] for the probation violation.<ref>Sernoffsky, Evan (August 31, 2018) [https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Tearful-tech-mogul-Gurbaksh-Chahal-jailed-for-13197715.php?t=5cd5bdafe3 "Tearful tech mogul Gurbaksh Chahal jailed for probation violation."] San Francisco Chronicle. (Retrieved September 1, 2018.)</ref> |
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==Publications== |
==Publications== |
Revision as of 05:20, 24 January 2020
Gurbaksh Singh Chahal | |
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File:Gurbaksh Singh.jpg | |
Born | [1] | July 17, 1982
Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, writer, philanthropist |
Years active | 1998–present |
Known for | Founder of ClickAgents, BlueLithium, RadiumOne, Gravity4, Taara Labs, RedLotus |
Website | GurbakshChahal.com |
Gurbaksh Singh Chahal (born July 17, 1982) is an Indian-American internet entrepreneur, writer, and philanthropist. Chahal has founded two internet advertising companies, ClickAgents and BlueLithium[2] and he is also the founder of RadiumOne and Gravity4, also online advertising technology companies; Taara Labs[3] and RedLotus.[4] Through Chahal Foundation, he has launched initiatives to help people affected by disaster.[5]
Chahal has been convicted twice for domestic violence and battery crimes, once in 2013 and again in 2018.[6]
Personal life
Chahal was born to Avtar Singh and Arjinder Chahal[7] in Tarn Taran Sahib, a city in India’s Punjab state. In 1985 at age four he moved with his family to San Jose, California. Chahal dropped out of high school at age sixteen to pursue a career in Internet advertising.[8] He has a sister Kamal Kaur, who is now the chairwoman and CEO of DaVinci Marketing Cloud.[9] and an elder brother Taj Chahal.[10]
In October 2019, Chahal began dating Rubina Bajwa, a punjabi actress, the sister of veteran actress, Neeru Bajwa. [11]
Career
Chahal started his career buying and reselling printers on eBay.[12] In 1998 Chahal founded ClickAgents, an advertising network focused on performance-based advertising. In 2000, ValueClick (now part of Alliance Data) paid $5.3 million of its shares to purchase ClickAgents.[13] In 2002 Chahal's Planet Bollywood restaurant burned down.[12] In 2004, Chahal founded BlueLithium, a company that specialized in behavioral targeting, a technique whereby web users' habits online are tracked in order to show ads they are most likely to click.[14] In 2007, Yahoo! bought Blue Lithium for $300 million in cash.[15]
In 2009, Chahal founded RadiumOne, another online ad company.[16][17] Chahal was fired as CEO of RadiumOne after he was convicted of domestic violence.[18][19][20] RadiumOne was later acquired by RhythmOne.[21]
In July 2014, Chahal launched Gravity4, his fourth technology company in online advertising (the company has since been renamed DaVinci Marketing Cloud).[22][23] In 2019, Chahal started Taara Labs, an incubator to build startup companies and help solve problems in the field of Artificial Intelligence, IoT, and Data Science.[24] Also in 2019, Chahal founded RedLotus in Hong Kong,[25] a company that uses marketing intelligence to help brands reach out to new audiences.[26][27]
Awards and honors
In 2014 Chahal was a recipient of Light of India Jury and People's Choice Awards for Excellence in Business Leadership[28] In 2013 Chahal was awarded Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013 in the Platform Technology category.[29] In 2009 Chahal was one of the recipient of Leaders in Management Award and received an honorary doctorate degree by Pace University.[30] He was felicitated by DSGMC in recognition of his achievements as Global Entrepreneur at an event organized to mark 550th birth anniversary of first Sikh Guru – Sri Guru Nanak Dev.[31]
Philanthropy
After the Wisconsin Sikh temple shooting, Chahal founded the Chahal Foundation (formerly BeProud Foundation).[32] The foundation creates awareness campaigns to stop future hate crimes, provide scholarships, support disaster relief efforts, and improve schools in third-world countries.[33]
Domestic violence and battery conviction
In August 2013, Chahal was charged by the San Francisco District Attorney's Office with domestic violence.[34] On April 16, 2014, Chahal pleaded guilty to one charge of domestic violence battery and one charge of battery, for which he was sentenced to three years' probation, a 52-week domestic violence training course, and 25 hours of community service.[35] After this domestic violence incident, Chahal was fired as CEO of RadiumOne by the company's board of directors on April 27, 2014.[18]
In 2016, after evidence emerged of a second domestic violence incident, a court found he had violated his probation. Chahal was sentenced to one year in jail, but the sentence was stayed pending appeal.[36][37] In April 2018, a California state appeals court upheld the 2016 ruling. The court found Chahal guilty of violating his probation when he attacked a woman a year after his domestic violence conviction for beating a different woman in his San Francisco penthouse.[38] Chahal spent six months in San Francisco County Jail for the probation violation.[39]
Publications
- The Dream: How I Learned the Risks and Rewards of Entrepreneurship and Made Millions, Palgrave Macmillan (October 23, 2008) ISBN 0-230-61095-1
References
- ^ "Find People, Lookup Phone Numbers, Run Background Checks, Access Public Records". USSearch.com. Retrieved 2015-03-01.
- ^ Ferenstein, Gregory (2011-03-29). "RadiumOne CEO on His McDonald's Rejection, Social Ads, and Do-Not-Track Legislation | Fast Company | Business + Innovation". Fast Company. Retrieved 2015-03-01.
- ^ "Gurbaksh Chahal's Taara Labs is giving a boost to AI start-ups across the world".
- ^ "Gurbaksh Chahal –founded RedLotus is transforming customer service & experience".
- ^ "Gurbaksh Chahal's 'The Chahal Foundation' brings light to lives of disaster victims".
- ^ Hoge, Patrick (April 17, 2014). "Ad mogul Gurbaksh "G" Chahal pleads guilty to two misdemeanors, all others dismissed in domestic violence case". San Francisco Business Times.
- ^ "Gurbaksh chahal".
- ^ Zinko, Carolyne (October 26, 2008). "Advice from young millionaire Gurbaksh Chahal". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
- ^ "Gurbaksh Chahal out as Gravity4 CEO after probation ruling".
- ^ "The rise and fall of Gurbaksh Chahal: How one tech CEO went from fame, fortune, and Oprah's couch to possible jail time".
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Rubina Bajwa CONFIRMS her relationship with Gurbaksh Chahal; Says 'He is the centre of my world'". PINKVILLA. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
- ^ a b "The rise and fall of Gurbaksh Chahal: How one tech CEO went from fame, fortune, and Oprah's couch to possible jail time".
- ^ Editors (November 3, 2000) “ValueClick acquires Click Agents.” Advertising Age. (Retrieved April 9, 2017).
- ^ "The Times". Business.timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-03-01. (subscription required)
- ^ Hendrickson, Mark (September 4, 2007) “Yahoo! Acquires Ad Network BlueLithium.” TechCrunch. (Retrieved April 9, 2017.)
- ^ "gWallet raises $12.5M for more ethical virtual currency/offers system | VentureBeat | Business | by Dean Takahashi". VentureBeat. 2009-12-01. Retrieved 2015-03-01.
- ^ McMahan, Ty (October 18, 2010). "New Ad Network RadiumOne Aims To Tap Social 'Mega Trend'". The Wall Street Journal.
- ^ a b Swisher, Kara. "Exclusive: CEO Gurbaksh Chahal Fired by RadiumOne Board". Recode. recode.net/. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
- ^ "It's time for RadiumOne's abusive CEO to go - Fortune". Finance.fortune.cnn.com. 2014-04-25. Retrieved 2015-03-01.
- ^ Weissmann, Jordan (2014-04-24). "RadiumOne founder: Pleads guilty to domestic abuse". Slate.com. Retrieved 2015-03-01.
- ^ https://mobilemarketingmagazine.com/radiumone-acquired-by-rhythmone
- ^ "Gurbaksh Chahal". HuffingtonPost. 2018-06-09. Retrieved 2018-06-09.
- ^ Editors (January 31, 2018) "Name Change Marks Renaissance for Gravity4." MrWeb.com (Retrieved June 11, 2016.)
- ^ "Gurbaksh Chahal's Taara Labs is giving a boost to AI start-ups across the world".
- ^ "Post RadiumOne, Gurbaksh Chahal seeks success again with RedLotus; in talks to raise $50 mn". Techcircle. 2019-11-12. Retrieved 2019-11-13.
- ^ "Gurbaksh Chahal –founded RedLotus is transforming customer service & experience".
- ^ "Gurbaksh Chahal reveals ways for boosting growth through marketing intelligence".
- ^ "19 NRIs honoured with Light of India awards".
- ^ "RadiumOne CEO and Founder Gurbaksh Chahal Awarded as the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) 2013 Winner".
- ^ "Pace University Names Magazine Publishing Magnate David J. Pecker ('72) and Technology Entrepreneur Gurbaksh Chahal as 2010 Leaders in Management Recipients".
- ^ "Gurbaksh Chahal honored by DSGMC".
- ^ "Serial Entrepreneur Gurbaksh Chahal Commits $1 Million to Stop Hate Crimes".
- ^ Teri Evans (2012-08-21). "Serial Entrepreneur Gurbaksh Chahal Commits $1 Million to Stop Hate Crimes". Entrepreneur.com. Retrieved 2015-03-01.
- ^ Sabatini, Joshua. "DA: Internet mogul hit girlfriend 117 times over a half-hour period | Crime & Courts | San Francisco | San Francisco Examiner". Sfexaminer.com. Retrieved 2015-03-01.
- ^ Nagle, Rob (September 9, 2015). "RadiumOne Worked to Save IPO Amid Scandal". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
- ^ Rainey, Libby (12 Aug 2016). "Tech mogul Gurbaksh Chahal gets 1 year in domestic violence case". San Francisco Chroncile. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
- ^ Conger, Kate (1 September 2016). "Despite looming jail time, Gurbaksh Chahal is back as Gravity4 CEO". TechCrunch. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
- ^ Ma, Annie (April 27, 2018) "Court upholds ruling against SF tech mogul Chahal in domestic violence case." San Francisco Chronicle. (Retrieved June 11, 2018.)
- ^ Sernoffsky, Evan (August 31, 2018) "Tearful tech mogul Gurbaksh Chahal jailed for probation violation." San Francisco Chronicle. (Retrieved September 1, 2018.)
External links
- Gurbaksh Chahal at IMDb
- A panel discussion with Chahal, Conference on Entrepreneurship, Stanford University Graduate School of Business, March 2010