A 16-year-old AI prodigy is making waves in the tech world by raising an impressive $450,000 for her startup. Pranjali Awasthi, unlike most high school students, is not in a hurry to escape extra credit assignments; instead, she’s determined to leverage her AI skills to revolutionize search engines.
What’s even more remarkable is her decision to bypass college to ensure her technology changes the world. Her journey into the tech industry began with a twist of fate during an unprecedented global event – the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pandemic forced students into virtual learning, and for Pranjali Awasthi, it created an opportunity to intern at Florida International University. Working up to 20 hours a week in research labs, Awasthi’s responsibilities included data extraction and writing literature reviews.
It was during this internship that she stumbled upon the groundbreaking idea that would shape her future. She realized the challenges people face in finding specific information using search engines. This realization sparked her curiosity about whether artificial intelligence could provide a solution.
Inspired by her vision, the 16-year-old founded Delv.AI, a startup that utilizes machine learning to extract data more effectively. A year later, she attended Hack Week in Miami, where she had the chance to meet investors from Back End Capital.
These investors saw potential in Awasthi’s idea and offered her the opportunity to join a 12-week residency program called HFO to further develop her tech skills. The experience was transformative, and in 2021, she unveiled a beta version of Delv.AI online.
Since then, Pranjali Awasthi has gained significant support from backers and has successfully raised over $450,000 for her startup. Her company is now valued at approximately $12 million, as experts recognize the potential of her innovative technology.
With her startup flourishing, Awasthi has decided to forgo the traditional college experience. Instead, she’s focusing on her company’s growth, and in the past year, she hired her first engineer.
However, her choice to prioritize technology over textbooks has come with its own set of challenges. As the head of her startup, she’s taken on the bulk of human resources and operations duties. Furthermore, she had to persuade her parents, who understandably had concerns about their daughter’s education. Her parents, who prioritize academics, ultimately reached a compromise with her about completing high school. Still, they’ve had to accept that she won’t be applying to college anytime soon.
As Pranjali Awasthi’s startup continues to expand, many in the tech world are wondering if she might be the next AI billionaire. Her remarkable journey is a testament to the power of passion and determination, proving that age is no barrier to making a significant impact in the tech industry.
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