We are thrilled to announce that eight rural students from Odisha, nurtured by the Young Tinker Foundation, have been selected to participate in the Global Junicorn & AI Summit 2025, to be held on May 29–30, 2025, at Texas State University, San Marcos.
These talented students were identified through the Foundation’s flagship initiatives: Young Tinker Space and Tinker on Wheels (ToW)—programs that bring hands-on STEM learning to underserved schools across India. Eight talented students—six from rural Berhampur and Balasore. These bright young innovators, full of ideas and ambition, set off on a life-changing journey, proudly stepping up as ambassadors of innovation and youth leadership.
Morning:
Before sunrise, eight excited students left their homes in Berhampur and Balasore, bags in hand and dreams in tow. Reaching Bhubaneswar, they arrived at Young Tinker Academy, where preparations for their journey began. Accompanied by Mrs Vaishali Sharma, COO, Young Tinker Foundation and Ms. Sanjogita Mishra, Mentor for junicorn project they headed to Kalinga Studio for a media interview—sharing their ideas, inspirations, and excitement about representing India abroad.
Evening:
An orientation session was held at the Young Tinker Academy, where they were briefed on travelling to the USA—the dos and don’ts, how to carry themselves confidently, and how to connect with people from different cultures. They received their official T-shirts, brochures, and batches—symbols of their role as young ambassadors. After a wholesome meal and a bit of fun, the team left for Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, guided by Ms. Mishra, ready to take their next big step.
Early Morning:
The team touched down at Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore around 2:30 AM and made their way to their accommodation. After a short rest, they met Mr. Sathyendra Kumar, Co-founder of the International Startup Foundation, over breakfast. His encouraging words helped the students understand the impact of what they were about to experience.
Evening:
They visited the Guruji of Satyasai Institute to seek blessings before continuing their journey. It was a quiet, reflective moment in an otherwise fast-paced adventure. The Young Tinkers also met all other students selected for Junicorn Summit. The Kempegowda International Airport team greeted the students with cake and also their photos were projected on screen. Around 1 AM, they boarded their flight to Dallas, USA, ready to take on the global stage.