Young Tinker Foundation at the International Startup Festival 2024
The International Startup Festival (ISF) 2024 officially kicked off in Hyderabad, bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders for three days of groundbreaking discussions. Held from September 26-28, 2024, at the Engineering Staff College of India (ESCI), the festival is an incredible platform for fostering networking, growth, and meaningful conversations.
One of the highlights of the event was the roundtable discussion on “Junicorns – Junior Unicorns,” where our founder, Anil Pradhan, had the honor of sharing insights into the Young Tinker Foundation’s formula for success: ICE – Intent, Content, and Environment. Here’s a summary of his key takeaways:
Intent: Creating a mindset to tinker and nurture entrepreneurial ambitions begins with inspiring role models. For instance, our NASA Rover Challenge winners have shown their peers the power of persistence and innovation, proving that “I too can do it!”
Content: Teaching relatable STEM subjects keeps students engaged. When learning is rooted in real-world applications, students are more likely to stay curious and enthusiastic.
Environment: A conducive learning space is essential, which is where our TOW – Tinker on Wheels initiative comes into play. By transforming any location into an innovation lab, even a school playground becomes an exciting space for students to tinker and dream big.
During his talk, Anil Pradhan shared inspiring stories of Young Tinker Foundation students who started from humble beginnings and went on to achieve remarkable success. These stories resonated deeply with the audience, culminating in a standing ovation – a proud moment for all involved!
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Ajit Rangnekar Garu, whose leadership as chair of the panel made the experience even more enriching. We also extend our gratitude to the esteemed panelists who shared their insights alongside Anil Pradhan, including: Shri J A Chowdary (JA), Ajit Rangnekar, Srinivas Rao Mahankali (MSR), Seetha Murty, Krishnakanth Barri, Deepu S Nath, Vamsi Tammana, Sheshank Reddy, Ms. K. Renuka Raju, Rama Lingireddy, Ram Kumar Varma, and Rumana Sinha Sehgal.
The festival provided an excellent platform for our foundation to showcase how hands-on education and mobile makerspaces can bring STEM education to underserved communities. We’re looking forward to many more such discussions that will spark innovation and collaboration!
Stay tuned for more updates from Young Tinker Foundation as we continue to expand the boundaries of STEM education through our TOW initiative!
