17-year-old entrepreneur empowers peers with innovation and storytelling

Aryan Nangia, a dynamic young entrepreneur, is transforming education and innovation through initiatives like LaunchPad and The Other Side. Driven by curiosity and a passion for storytelling, he's empowering students globally to upskill and solve real-world challenges.

In Short

• Aryan Nangia, 17, founded LaunchPad to address gaps in youth education
• LaunchPad focuses on five 'future-proof' skills, including AI and storytelling
• The initiative expanded to 12 cities in five countries, aiding underprivileged students

At the forefront of youth entrepreneurship and innovation, Aryan Nangia, a 17-year- old, is a name synonymous with ambition, creativity, and impact. As the founder of LaunchPad and the thought-provoking platform The Other Side, Aryan is transforming the way students engage with real-world challenges, leveraging his unique perspective and passion for storytelling, education, and technology.

“Halfway through a project to build an app for senior citizens, I hit a roadblock,” Aryan reflects. “There was no accessible way for teenagers like me to find answers to real-world problems—how to position a product, build a human-led design, enroll customers, or make it economically viable."

This gap in resources led Aryan to recognise a broader issue: the content available online was either too basic or overly complex for teenagers. At the same time, Aryan’s research highlighted the urgent need for young people to upskill in an age of AI and an uncertain job market.

What started as a personal realisation evolved into LaunchPad, a club Aryan co-founded with 12 middle-schoolers in his school. “We built the club with one key idea: the most important skill in the 21st century is the ability to constantly learn and upskill,” he explains.

The initiative identified five “future-proof” skills—design thinking, AI foundations, business fundamentals, financial literacy, and storytelling. Expert discussions brought insights into pressing questions like, “How will AI impact the future of jobs?” and “What do investors look for when evaluating startups?”

SCALING AND MAKING AN IMPACT

With overwhelmingly positive feedback from the initial participants, Aryan decided to scale up the initiative. Today, LaunchPad has chapters across 12 cities in five countries, bringing together students globally.

“We strongly believe that high-quality education shouldn’t have barriers, especially financial ones,” Aryan emphasises. To honour this principle, LaunchPad began experimenting with delivering its modules to NGOs across Delhi NCR, impacting over 75 underprivileged students.

To achieve true scale, Aryan and his team transitioned to a digital platform. “With 100+ active learners, I’m optimistic about growing this community of hardworking, ambitious students,” he says. “At the end of the day, it all adds up.”

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As a young entrepreneur, Aryan acknowledges the challenge of juggling his ventures with academics. “I try my best to manage time between studies and my initiatives,” he shares. “Weekly conversations with my dad really help. We sit down every weekend to plan the week ahead, setting goals that keep me on track.”

PASSION FOR STORYTELLING

Aryan’s love for storytelling began in childhood. “At 11, I started creating gaming YouTube videos, gaining over 500 subscribers and 3,000 views across two channels,” he recounts. “Now, I create short-form content on AI, economics, and policy.”

One of Aryan’s most resonant stories tackled the ethical implications of using AI for homework. “It sparked a lot of discussions among my friends and peers,” he notes.

With over 15k followers across platforms, Aryan attributes his success to consistency and relevance. “I aim to upload content that’s timely and concise. It’s about striking a balance between entertainment and information,” he explains.

BROADER INSIGHTS AND ASPIRATIONS

Beyond entrepreneurship, Aryan has gained valuable experience from initiatives like the Ro-Boat Robotics Workshop and his internship at Max Life Insurance. “Collaborating with others sharpens my skills and expands my worldview,” he shares.

Aryan’s certificate in generative AI has also shaped his perspective. “Generative AI holds immense potential in education and entrepreneurship,” he says. He admires tools like Khan Academy’s AI-powered tutor, which provides step-by-step explanations, making high-quality education more accessible.

Looking ahead, Aryan remains driven by his curiosity and desire to solve meaningful problems. “My grandparents always remind me that diligence and focus are what I can control—outcomes will follow,” he reflects. “To me, success isn’t a ladder; it’s a positive upward spiral.”

Through LaunchPad and beyond, Aryan Nangia is empowering a generation to embrace change, innovate, and make a lasting impact.