Tech founder throws hat in California governor’s race

Ethan Agarwal, a notable tech entrepreneur and co-founder of two successful startups, has officially announced his candidacy for the California gubernatorial election in 2026. His campaign aims to address critical issues such as the soaring cost of living and the challenges businesses face in the state, which have prompted many residents and industries, including film productions, to leave California. Describing himself as a Democrat with a strong belief in capitalism, Agarwal emphasized the need for a fresh approach that incorporates business and technology insights to tackle the state's pressing challenges. He remarked, 'California could use some business and tech acumen to fix things in a way that other candidates in the race won’t.' Agarwal's entrepreneurial background includes co-founding The Coterie, a fintech startup that successfully secured $80 million in venture capital before its assets were sold earlier this year. Additionally, he played a key role in founding Aaptiv, an audio fitness application that raised approximately $61 million before its acquisition by Pear Health Labs. With his campaign already underway, Agarwal has organized fundraising events featuring prominent figures such as DoorDash co-founder Stanley Tang and Y Combinator President Garry Tan, who previously invested in The Coterie through his firm, Initialized Capital. His LinkedIn profile has been updated to reflect his new role as 'Candidate for Governor,' signaling his commitment to the upcoming election.