SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — Vish Mishra, venture director of the venture capital firm Clearstone Partners, was honored as this year’s selection for the Banyan Tree Award.

The prestigious award, named in honor of the National Tree of India, is presented annually to persons in recognition of their lifetime accomplishments, significant achievements and exemplary contributions toward global economic prosperity, cross-cultural collaboration and international goodwill. The award also recognizes those who have had instrumental roles in strategic innovation of global markets, visionary leadership and those who have fostered the spirit of philanthropy.

Past recipients of the Banyan Tree Award include the likes of Sanjay Khosla, Sam Pitroda, Arun Nayer and Desh Despande.

Mishra was presented with his award during a fundraiser this month, which was held in the Chicago suburb of Peoria. He fancies himself as a mentor capitalist, who sits or has sat on boards of many venture-backed companies such as Abeama, Cofix, Onjibe, PostMedia Group and Quantros, according to his company profile. Mishra joined Clearstone in 2002 with already having 30 years of leadership and management experience under his belt.

Additionally, Mishra is a founder and served as a board member of Telera, a cutting edge voice web infrastructure company which was sold to Alcatel for $140 million in 2002. He was also co-founder of Excelan in 1983, which was funded with $7.3 million in venture capital, went public in 1987 and sold for $225 million in 1989

At last count, ceremony raised just $6,500 shy of its $1 million goal, but the donations are still coming in. The money raised will be used to provide family support services and comprehensive pediatric therapy to children with disabilities, and their families.

The event was hosted by Easter Seals, an organization which seeks to provide exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities.