India-origin couple in US, Lata Krishnan and Ajay Shah, are giving millions in college scholarships to disadvantaged students after earning millions in Silicon Valley

Indian-origin couple Lata Krishnan and Ajay Shah, currently dwelling in the US, joined a noble cause. Despite their Indian roots, Lata was raised in Kenya and Ajay in Uganda. After successful careers in finance and business, the husband-wife duo co-founded Smart Modular Technologies with the core focus being on education. So far, their Krishnan-Shah Family Scholarship program has supported over 45 students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Lata and Ajay have given wings to the dreams of pupils who have the academic potential to excel and pursue a college degree but are financially weak.

How Indian-origin couple gives scholarships

According to the official website of SVFC, each scholarship recipient receives $10,000 per year for 4 years of college. Lata and Ajay preside over every interview with the candidates, and often get inspired by their stories.

The couple is also supportive of the Eastside Prep and Downtown College Prep. It helps disadvantaged students prepare for a 4-year college program. Their efforts also extend to advanced education like basic sciences and medicine. They support a professorship for Dr. Nathanael Gray, a professor of chemical and systems biology in cancer therapeutics.


Another initiative they support includes the Accion Opportunity Fund. This initiative focuses on empowering people from marginalized communities, helping them achieve financial freedom. The core idea of this programme is spreading awareness of economic mobility.

Noble initiatives of the Indian-origin couple

The Accion Opportunity Fund, where Lata serves as one of the board of directors, is committed to offering advanced economic mobility to women and other individuals who own small businesses and live in low-income communities. The Fund delivers affordable financial services, knowledge resources, networks, and policy.

Lata and Ajay also serve as founding architects, board leaders, and major financial backers of the American India Foundation (AIF). In 2021, when AIF hosted its virtual 20th Annual Bay Area Spring Celebration, the couple announced a $5 million gift to the Fellowship program in a discussion with Ajay Banga, Mastercard Executive Chairman, reported PR News.