Pukar C. Hamal is CEO of SecurityPal, a trusted partner handling startup and Fortune 500 Security Reviews for OpenAI, Figma, Snap and more.
As a tech founder leading a venture-backed startup with offices in Silicon Valley and Nepal, I was surprised to recently find myself invited to the White House as a VIP. As I process this trip and reflect on the relationship between technological innovation and public policy, I have one conclusive belief: It’s go-time for American innovators.
I believe tech founders today have an opportunity to help shape policy, inform national priorities and drive the future of this country. But make no mistake: We aren’t guaranteed success. If we as entrepreneurs fail to seize the moment, it could slip away. Now is the time to build.
From Rural Nepal To Pennsylvania Avenue
I grew up in rural far-western Nepal. We had no electricity and relied on kerosene lamps at night. Even imagining a plane ride seemed impossible, let alone stepping inside the White House as a “VIP.” Yet, in 1999, my mother and I joined my father in Queens, New York. We lived on a tight budget, relying on public schools and a relentless work ethic.
Eventually, I made my way to Silicon Valley and co-founded a company aiming to simplify security reviews for scaling companies. We survived cash crunches and attracted venture support, and, five years in, I’ve found that in America, grit, ambition and timing can lead you to unimaginable places.
A Turning Point For American Competitiveness
I’ve found that Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C., have largely existed in separate worlds. Startups prized speed and disruption; policymakers favored caution and deliberation. The friction that used to stifle new concepts isn’t gone, but to me, it feels lighter, and for now, momentum seems to be on the side of big, forward-thinking ideas.
America’s history of tech leadership isn’t accidental—it’s the result of private ingenuity fused with public support. But as global rivals pour money into AI labs, robotics and green tech, the U.S. can’t rest on past laurels. If we want to stay ahead, I believe we need to harness the drive of founders who dream big and execute relentlessly. Other nations aren’t waiting around. If we miss the chance to strengthen the bridge between policy and entrepreneurship, we risk ceding our edge.
The Danger Of Complacency
Political climates shift; economic realities can sour the public’s appetite for risk. If you’re building next-generation AI tools, battery technologies or healthcare solutions, now isn’t the time for complacency.
As I see it, complacency is the real threat. Getting comfortable when the environment favors you is how golden opportunities evaporate. If you’re not pushing product roadmaps further, exploring public-private collaborations or preparing for rapid expansion, you’re leaving potential on the table.
Building Like Never Before
I’ve learned that hustle, timing and a little luck can be unstoppable. From my parents’ resilience in Queens to my own path in Silicon Valley, I’ve seen how quickly doors can swing open—or slam shut. I believe it’s time for businesses to accelerate their innovation efforts.
Push your product roadmap further and faster. If you’ve been holding back on a big idea—worried about market acceptance or regulatory hurdles—this could be the moment to unleash it.
Leverage every partnership opportunity. Consider working with universities, agencies and corporations that are open to bold collaborations. What seemed too risky before might be greeted with enthusiasm now.
Stay responsible. Building fast doesn’t mean disregarding privacy, security or social impact. If you break too many things, you risk fueling a backlash that could end any openness to the solution.
The Road Ahead
I’ve sensed a renewed ambition that cherishes the hustle and global outlook of tech founders. To every entrepreneur who wonders whether now is the time to take a leap, I believe the answer is yes, it is. National policy and entrepreneurial spirit have the opportunity to align. The question is whether we’ll channel that synergy into building technologies and companies that define the future or whether we’ll let the moment pass.
My advice? Build like everything depends on it—because, in so many ways, it does. If my journey can serve as any evidence, improbable leaps are possible when your drive meets the right conditions. And right now, I believe conditions are ripe for innovation to flourish if we dare to seize them.
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