Rahul Kothari is a self-made tech leader driven by an everlasting thirst for knowledge and innovation. He began freelancing as a blockchain engineer in his first year of university, seeking a more dynamic career trajectory. Funding his tuition through this work, he became a Consensys-certified blockchain developer by 19. His career took off with roles at companies like BlueSky and Reddit, where some of his Crypto projects were even showcased in New York's Times Square! He decided to pursue a UK Exceptional Promise visa to experiment with startups in London without needing a work visa—and yes, he got it. In the following interview, he will share details about this journey!
Rahul Kothari: I studied Computer Science at the University of Liverpool but quickly grew bored with the traditional curriculum. During my first year, I discovered Ethereum and soon began working with various crypto startups. I deployed the first app on Hedera, which nearly broke the network due to high usage. Over time, I delved into Decentralized Finance (DeFi) and Layer 2 (L2) scaling solutions for Ethereum, working with the Ethereum Foundation, BlueSky (Jack Dorsey’s social media research initiative), and later, Reddit. Now, I’m at Aztec, where I use Zero-Knowledge (ZK) cryptography to build an L2 solution focused on privacy and scalability.
Rahul Kothari: Being a part of the Tech Nation alumni was a major motivation for me! I wanted to open up new career opportunities and have the freedom to take risks at startups in the UK without constantly worrying about visa constraints. This flexibility allows me to explore different projects, contribute to the tech ecosystem, and push innovation forward. Eventually, I hope to use this opportunity to build my own company and create something meaningful in the blockchain and Web3 space.
Rahul Kothari: A friend recommended them, and I was really impressed by how fast and proactive they were. Within a day of filling out their basic form, they hopped on a call to discuss my case in detail. They asked thoughtful questions, provided insights into how my application could be strengthened, and laid out a clear roadmap for the process. Throughout the application, they remained responsive, well-organized, and highly knowledgeable. Their structured approach made everything much smoother and less stressful.
Rahul Kothari: There were a lot of documents to gather, along with numerous signatures, which was the hardest part—asking people to sign documents demonstrating letters of endorsement or participation. The biggest challenge was figuring out how to map my work to the Optional Criteria (OC) laid out in the application and structuring the presentation accordingly. Blockchain is still a relatively small industry compared to mainstream tech, so while its potential is very high, its immediate impact can seem smaller. This made it difficult to clearly signal why certain people or companies were highly influential or significant in the industry.
Rahul Kothari: No stress. At some point, my initial application was rejected, but Immigram quickly responded by drafting an appeal—something I wouldn’t have thought of myself. They wrote a great appeal letter and got Tech Nation to overturn their decision. That, along with their help in structuring my cover letter and knowing how to present the data properly, was incredibly useful.
Rahul Kothari: Budget plenty of time. Don’t procrastinate. There is a lot of documentation to gather, and the whole process can take 6-9 months depending on how quickly you move. Also, use Immigram.
Rahul Kothari: Sometimes, I needed to remind them and set deadlines to keep things moving, especially when planning my holidays and applications. I also wish they had explained the distinction and implications of Emerging Talent vs. Exceptional Promise more clearly. That said, Aztec (my company) deserves a lot of appreciation for covering the cost of this service and supporting my transition to this visa!
