Forward Networks Co-founder Nikhil Handigol Named to Silicon Valley Business Journal's 2025 40-Under-40-List

This latest honor recognizes Dr. Handigol's role in redefining enterprise networking at scale

SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Forward Networks is proud to announce that Co-founder Nikhil Handigol has been named to the Silicon Valley Business Journal's prestigious 2025 40-Under-40-list. The annual award honors young leaders who are making outstanding contributions to the business community across Silicon Valley.

As one of the original architects of Forward Networks' network digital twin technology, Handigol has led key innovation initiatives in networking, security, and AI. Most recently, he spearheaded the integration of agentic AI into the company's platform, making Forward Networks a recognized voice in the future of AI-driven infrastructure. He also led the formation of the company's India engineering hub during the pandemic, personally interviewing and hiring over 50 engineers to ensure world-class technical talent and culture. Today, that office is a major engine of innovation.

Handigol's leadership has also been recognized globally. He was named Most Influential Young Leader 2022 by AsiaOne's Greatest Brands & Leaders – Asia, Middle East & Africa, spotlighting his role as a global innovator under 40 who is shaping the future of networking and enterprise IT. Forward Networks was also featured in ET NOW – Greatest Brands & Leaders 2020–21 Asia, ME & Africa.

Additionally, Handigol was the first recipient of the Young Alumni Achiever Award (2022) from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), India's top-ranked and most prestigious technical university. The award honors alumni who have demonstrated exceptional professional achievement and global impact.

Handigol, an internationally recognized researcher and entrepreneur, is the second Forward Networks co-founder to receive this distinction. CEO and Co-founder David Erickson was named to the list in a previous year, underscoring the company's exceptional leadership bench.

Commenting on the announcement, Erickson said, "I've had the privilege of working alongside Nikhil since our days as graduate students at Stanford, and from the start, it was clear he was a standout leader and innovator. Co-founding Forward Networks together with Nikhil and our fellow classmates has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I'm incredibly proud to see him recognized in this way—it's a well-deserved honor that reflects his dedication, vision, and global impact."

The 40-Under-40-list recognizes individuals across all industries who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and a strong commitment to community impact. Handigol's work continues to influence how global enterprises and government agencies approach critical challenges in automation, risk management, and security.

To learn more about the 2025 honorees, visit: https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2025/06/10/40-under-40-2025-honorees-announcement.html

About Network Digital Twin Technology 
Forward Enterprise is the only true network digital twin, delivering a mathematically accurate virtual twin of an organization's network, including on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. It supports over 30 hardware vendors, more than 35 operating systems, the major public clouds (AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform), and more than 900 OS versions, delivering unparalleled visibility and control.

Forward Enterprise provides current, actionable insights into network behavior, security posture, and compliance status by mathematically modeling every possible path a packet can take. The platform's unique collection process discovers and documents unknown devices while integrating with CMDB, ensuring a complete and accurate view of the network. Its read-only approach guarantees security while allowing teams to analyze and verify network configurations without risk. The platform delivers $14.2M in average annual benefits through improved efficiency and security.

About Forward Networks
Forward Networks is revolutionizing the way large networks are managed. Forward's advanced software delivers a digital twin of the network, enabling network operators to ensure the network is secure, reliable, and agile. The platform supports devices from all major networking vendors and cloud operators, including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. Forward Networks was founded in 2013 by four Stanford Ph.D. graduates and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. Investors include MSD Partners, Goldman Sachs, Andreessen Horowitz, Threshold Ventures, Section 32, Omega Venture Partners, and A. Capital. For more information, visit www.forwardnetworks.com.

Forward Networks Contacts:
Dustin Rausa, Guyer Group
[email protected]

Dawn Slusher, Forward Networks
[email protected]

SOURCE Forward Networks, Inc.