About
Aakash Mahalingam previously built enterprise products at Windsurf and worked on AI tooling for foundational models. He led the launch of an enterprise self-serve offering and is a competitive programmer with recognition in ICPC APAC.
Founder at CanaryYC W26
Intro paths
YC
Aakash went through Y Combinator (Winter 2026) — any YC alum in your network can reach them through the YC community.
GP
Their group partner at YC was Jon Xu, General Partner at Y Combinator — the partner who ran Canary's batch and knows the company first-hand. YC profile ↗
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In turn, Aakash can intro founders to Canary's investors below.
Canary's investors · 4
Co-founders at Canary
VN
Viswesh N GFounder
Experience
- Canary (YC W26)Cofounder and CEOcurrent2026 — present
- WindsurfSoftware Engineer2025 — 2026
- Chan Zuckerberg InitiativeSoftware Engineer Intern2023California, United States
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)Software Engineer2021 — 2022
- Morgan StanleyTechnology Associate2021
- Morgan StanleyTechnology Analyst2020 — 2021
- Morgan StanleyTechnology Analyst Intern2020
- FreshworksSoftware Engineer Intern2018
Skills & more
Software DevelopmentData Structures27Algorithms25Product Management5Distributed Systems2Object Oriented Design4Mobile Application Development7C++Amazon Web Services (AWS)1React.js2Java15Python (Programming Language)3
+10 more
JavaScriptDatabasesGitCSQLHTMLCascading Style Sheets (CSS)MySQLC (Programming Language)Competitve Programming- ACM ICPC Regionals
From Aakash's professional profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Aakash Mahalingam?
- Aakash Mahalingam previously built enterprise products at Windsurf and worked on AI tooling for foundational models. He led the launch of an enterprise self-serve offering and is a competitive programmer with recognition in ICPC APAC.
- Where does Aakash Mahalingam work?
- Aakash Mahalingam is Founder of Canary.
- What companies did Aakash Mahalingam found?
- Aakash Mahalingam founded Canary.
- Where did Aakash Mahalingam go to school?
- Aakash Mahalingam studied at Y Combinator; Northeastern University (Master of Science - MS, Computer Science); Masters' Union (Product Management).
Founder mafias
Y Combinator mafia8,773
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Sam AltmanPresidentFounded Tools for Humanity +3Jessica LivingstonCo-founderFounded Y CombinatorAlexis OhanianYC Summer 2005Founded RedditFred EhrsamYC Summer 2012Founded Nudge +1Matt HuangYC Winter 2011Founded HotspotsTrae StephensYC Winter 2022Founded Pursuit +1
+ 8,766 more
Y Combinator mafia4,716
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Ryan SheaEntrepreneurshipFounded StacksTarek MansourFounded KalshiSuhail DoshiEating beans & riceFounded Playground +1Subomi OluwalanaW22Founded ConvoyDarius "Bubs" MonsefS19Founded Sightbox +3Matthew ScholzFounded Oisin Biotechnologies +3
+ 4,709 more
Northeastern University mafia43
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
James SteinbergBachelor's degreeFounded OpenShelf +2Luke ZaientzBSFounded Reigning Champs +1Vicente ZavarceBachelor’s DegreeFounded Yummy +1Kahlil LaljiBachelor's of ScienceFounded Natural +1Kasey ZhangBachelor of ScienceFounded Gulp +1Tim McCarthyBachelor of ScienceFounded Spring Loaded Technology +1
+ 36 more
Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy mafia6
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Freshworks mafia5
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Same school
Also attended Y Combinator2,000
Tarek MansourCo-founder & CEO of KalshiSuhail DoshiFounder of Mixpanel; founder of ParticleSubomi OluwalanaCo-founder & CEO of ConvoyMaroof AhmedFounder at Octopus VenturesJustin SwartPartner at Bitkraft Esports VenturesCollin WallaceGeneral Partner at Lobby Capital
+ 1,994 more
Also attended Masters' Union5
Also attended Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy5
Shared employers
Also worked at Windsurf7
Mamoon HamidPartner at Kleiner PerkinsQuentin ClarkInvestment Team at General CatalystLeigh Marie BraswellPartner at KPCBBucky MoorePartner at Kleiner PerkinsSreyas MisraInvestment Partner at GreenoaksMax RimpelPrincipal at Index Ventures
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+ 1 more
Also worked at Chan Zuckerberg Initiative12
Rachel PhilbinVice President at Long Ridge Equity PartnersJasmine JordanEvents Manager at Playground GlobalAlicia SeigerAdvisor at AvilaJessica PhanDesign at iFly.vcDan ZigmondVenture Partner - Data Science & AI at CompoundYun-Fang JuanGeneral Partner at Brighter Capital
+ 6 more
Also worked at Amazon Web Services (AWS)270
Nancy WangInvestor at Felicis VenturesJon TurowVenture Partner at Madrona Venture GroupEric AndersonPartner at Scale Venture PartnersKeerthi NalabotuInvestor at True VenturesKen HowardVice President of Technology Services at Flare Capital PartnersEliya ElonInvestor at Notable Capital
+ 264 more
Also worked at Morgan Stanley1,001
Mary MeekerFounder & General Partner at BONDAileen LeeFounder & Managing Partner of Cowboy VenturesJenny LeeSenior Managing Partner at Granite AsiaLuciana LixandruPartner at Sequoia CapitalDavid VélezFounder & CEO of NubankJames DetweilerVP of Investments at Felicis Ventures
+ 995 more