About

Thupten Chakrishar

Software developer, VR creator, and co-founder of the Himalayan Elders Project. Building tools that bridge technology with cultural preservation.

Thupten started coding and studying 3D animation in India in 2001. He later moved to New York to study filmmaking at the New York Film Academy—a combination that shaped how he approaches technology: always with an eye toward storytelling and human connection.

In 2012, he co-founded the Himalayan Elders Project, now the largest organization in North America dedicated to serving seniors from the Himalayan diaspora. What started as a community need became a decade-long commitment to cultural preservation and elder care.

Today, he runs GunkTech, building software for clients ranging from early-stage startups to established enterprises. Past work includes a CTO role at MediaKite and consulting for Ubisoft Montreal.

His current focus spans VR experiences for mindfulness, digital tools for language preservation, and enterprise applications—always looking for ways technology can serve communities rather than just consumers.