Meet
Vijay Beniwal
First-generation immigrant, tech innovator, community champion
Biography and Personal Journey
Vijay Beniwal is a first-generation Indian immigrant who has called Redmond, Washington his home for nearly 25 years. Growing up in North India as the son of an army officer, Vijay learned resilience, discipline, and a love of cricket from an early age. He pursued engineering, earning a B.E. in Electronics & Communication from the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (Surathkal) before moving to the United States.
In 2001, Vijay joined Microsoft's Redmond campus, embarking on what would become a 23-year career at the tech company. As he built his professional life, he also grew deep roots in the community.
Over the decades, Vijay has worn many hats: tech leader, entrepreneur, community volunteer, and mentor. He has been your neighbor, actively engaging with local schools, cultural events, and service organizations. Vijay often reflects on his journey from arriving in Redmond as a young engineer to becoming a community leader. He credits Redmond for the opportunities it gave him and is driven by a sense of gratitude and duty to give back.
Leadership Philosophy
In his own words, Vijay embodies "leadership that listens and a heart that cares." He balances the humility of someone who started fresh in a new country with the confidence of a seasoned problem-solver. This blend of experiences defines Vijay's voice and vision: optimistic, community-focused, and results-driven. Above all, he is a proud Redmond resident who has "grown up" alongside the city and wants to ensure it remains a place of opportunity for all its residents.
Career Highlights: Tech Innovator and Entrepreneur
Microsoft Leadership
Vijay's professional career spans over two decades at Microsoft, where he rose to become a senior Engineering Lead in the Windows division. Having 23 years of experience at Microsoft, Vijay has led teams developing products used by millions. Colleagues know him as an innovative thinker and mentor who enjoys tackling complex problems – skills he now hopes to bring to City Council.His extensive tech background means he is comfortable using data and expertise to drive solutions, whether upgrading city services or advocating for smart infrastructure.
Serial Entrepreneur
Beyond his tech career, Vijay is a serial entrepreneur and investor in small businesses. On weeknights and weekends, the "affable" Microsoft manager has helped launch and finance several local ventures.
Apna Bazar Success Story
He co-founded HomeNeeds Corporation, under which he helped establish Apna Bazar, a popular local Indian grocery chain. Apna Bazar started as a single store and expanded to multiple locations, fulfilling a need for ethnic groceries while creating jobs in the community.
Vijay also backed hospitality businesses – he has ownership stakes in an Inchin's Bamboo Garden restaurant and even franchise outlets of Dairy Queen in King County. These enterprises taught him firsthand the challenges of meeting a payroll and the importance of supporting local commerce.
CricCenter AI
Another major venture is at the intersection of technology and sports: Vijay serves as Chief Product Officer and Partner at CricCenter AI, a startup using artificial intelligence to revolutionize how cricket is played and enjoyed. With over 25 years in product development at Fortune 500 companies, Vijay brings a wealth of expertise to CricCenter's mission.
Innovation in Action
He spearheads product strategy for the CricCenter app, which provides high-tech scoring, streaming, and analytics for cricket matches. This role allows Vijay to combine his tech savvy with his passion for cricket, exemplifying his talent for bridging domains to create innovative solutions.
Seattle Thunderbolts Success
Perhaps Vijay's most high-profile venture is founding the Seattle Thunderbolts, a professional cricket franchise. In 2021, Vijay and two fellow tech executives (Phani Chitneni of UST Global and Salman Taj of Ericsson) invested in creating the Seattle Thunderbolts, one of the region's first Minor League Cricket teams. Today Vijay is co-owner and General Manager of the Thunderbolts, helping steer the team both on and off the field.
Championship Success
Under his leadership, the Thunderbolts won the 2022 Minor League Cricket championship and put Seattle cricket on the map. Vijay's role includes everything from recruiting players to securing sponsors (Apna Bazar is a proud team sponsor) and even troubleshooting logistics at local matches.
Hands-On Leadership
In fact, he's known to jump in wherever needed – a Seattle Met profile recounts him dashing across the field to fix a scoring glitch during a game.
Personal Cricket Journey
Vijay's passion for cricket isn't just business; it's personal. An avid player himself, he captained a Pacific Northwest cricket team and traveled up and down the West Coast for matches. His regional leadership in the sport even earned him a coveted stint as a USA national team selector, which he calls his personal "hall of fame" moment.
By channeling that love of sport into founding the Thunderbolts, Vijay has helped ignite a cricket movement in the Seattle area. Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella and many locals have embraced the sport, and thanks to efforts by Vijay and others, youth cricket enrollment at the Seattle Thunderbolts academy exploded from around 50 to 300 participants in under two years. This entrepreneurial success story – blending community culture with innovation – is a testament to Vijay's "get it done" attitude. From software products to startups, Vijay Beniwal's career is defined by building things that make a difference.
Civic Leadership and Community Involvement
Community Service Philosophy
Outside of work and business, Vijay has a long record of community service and civic leadership in Redmond and the broader Eastside. He believes true leadership means showing up for your community. Over the years, Vijay has volunteered with and supported several nonprofits focused on children, education, and social services.
Child Rights and You (CRY) America
Notably, he is a supporter and advisor to Child Rights and You (CRY) America – a nonprofit dedicated to underprivileged children's rights and welfare. Through CRY's Seattle chapter, Vijay has helped with fundraising events and awareness campaigns that benefit children's education and health.
Hopes and Smiles for Children
He is also involved with Hopes and Smiles for Children, a local organization that raises funds for pediatric cancer research and supports families at Seattle Children's Hospital. Whether it's organizing charity drives or serving food at community kitchens, Vijay is the kind of person who rolls up his sleeves to help those in need.
Youth Development and Mentorship
Vijay's community work extends to mentorship and youth development, especially through sports. As General Manager of the Seattle Thunderbolts, he has made it a priority to develop homegrown cricket talent.
"If cricket has a shot here, it'll need to grow from our backyard."
He coaches youth cricket camps and often spends weekends at local parks, mentoring kids in batting and bowling. Under his guidance, new youth leagues and clinics have sprung up in King County, giving kids of all backgrounds a chance to learn the sport. Several local high school students whom Vijay mentored have gone on to play at national levels – a point of pride for him, as he sees sports as a vehicle for youth leadership.
Beyond sports, Vijay has participated in technology mentorship programs, helping students and young professionals (especially from immigrant and minority communities) find career pathways in tech.
Political and Civic Engagement
In local civic life, Vijay is an active member of the 48th Legislative District Democrats. He serves on the Executive Board of the LD48 Democrats as a representative to the King County Democratic Central Committee, where he works on grassroots organizing and policy discussions at the party level.
Precinct Committee Officer
Vijay has also been a Precinct Committee Officer (PCO), engaging neighbors on issues and voter registration. These roles reflect his commitment to civic engagement and staying informed on local policy debates.
Bridge Builder
His peers recognize him as someone who builds bridges – he often liaises between different cultural communities and the local political process, ensuring immigrant voices are heard in civic decisions.
Through the LD48 Democrats, Vijay has contributed to initiatives on affordable housing, transit, and diversity and inclusion within the community.
"Community First" Ethos
Overall, Vijay's civic ethos can be summed up as "community first." From volunteering with charities to mentoring youth and serving in party leadership, he has consistently put in the time to improve the lives of those around him. This hands-on experience – whether feeding the hungry or convening neighbors to discuss public safety – gives Vijay a grassroots understanding of Redmond's needs.
It's no surprise that many who have worked alongside him in these efforts encouraged him to run for office.
He embodies the idea that leadership is service, and he's earned trust across different segments of the community through years of quiet, persistent work.
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