Tech Entrepreneur Joins Race for California Governor

Tech entrepreneur Ethan Agarwal, who has raised tens of millions from venture capitalists through two startups, is stepping into the race for the 2026 California gubernatorial seat, according to Axios.

Axios described Agarwal as a “Democrat who embraces capitalism.” He conveyed to the outlet his main worries about the escalating cost of living and the challenges faced by businesses in the state, which have led many residents to leave and impacted various sectors, including film production.

California “could greatly benefit from some business and technology expertise to tackle issues in ways that other candidates may not,” he told Axios.

Agarwal previously co-founded the fintech company The Coterie, which secured $80 million from investors, as per PitchBook, before its assets were sold earlier this year. He also co-founded Aaptiv, an audio-driven fitness app that raised around $61 million before being acquired by Pear Health Labs under undisclosed terms.

Having already arranged campaign fundraising events, Agarwal’s hosts include DoorDash co-founder Stanley Tang and Y Combinator President Garry Tan, who invested in The Coterie through his venture firm Initialized Capital.

He has updated his LinkedIn profile to indicate his new position as “Candidate for Governor.”