Empowering Young Innovators: The Journey of LaunchPad
In a world brimming with ideas waiting to be transformed into reality, many young minds find themselves trapped in the cycle of ideation without the tools or guidance to bring their visions to life. This was the challenge faced by Aryan Nangia, a Class 12 student at Pathways School in Gurugram, when he embarked on a journey to create an app for senior citizens. What began as a personal quest soon evolved into a mission to empower his peers with the skills and knowledge to navigate the complex landscape of entrepreneurship.
Aryan’s story reflects the experiences of countless teenagers who brim with enthusiasm but struggle to turn their ideas into tangible projects. “I noticed that many of my friends had great ideas but found it challenging to move from the ideation stage to actual implementation. Even after they built something, they faced hurdles with marketing, finances, and scaling their projects,” Aryan shares in an interview with The Better India.
The Birth of LaunchPad: A Solution for Young Creators
Rather than succumbing to frustration, Aryan turned these challenges into motivation and founded ‘LaunchPad’—a free digital platform designed to help teenagers learn essential skills and build real-world projects. This initiative stemmed from Aryan’s own struggles as he navigated the world of design and technology during his early school years.
He reminisces about his childhood passion for creation, which began with making intricate origami figures at the age of nine. As he grew, so did his fascination with technology, leading him to experiment with building websites and apps. By his ninth and tenth grades, he was immersed in a world fueled by curiosity and creativity, driven by the subjects offered in his school’s International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.
However, Aryan soon realized that while he had the passion, there was a significant gap in resources tailored for young creators like him. “We needed content that was easy to understand and specifically designed for the unique challenges we face,” he reflects. This realization became the catalyst for LaunchPad, a platform aimed at empowering young people to navigate the complexities of ideation, development, and execution with confidence.
A Vision Realized: The Journey of LaunchPad
In July 2023, Aryan took a leap of faith and launched LaunchPad as a small club at his school. What started as a handful of students learning how to build projects quickly expanded into a global initiative. Today, less than two years later, LaunchPad reaches students across 15 schools in five countries, supported by a dynamic team of 15 to 20 young individuals.
The mission of LaunchPad is straightforward: to assist students aged 12 to 17 in acquiring essential skills and gaining hands-on experience in project development. However, the focus goes beyond mere coding or design; it encompasses a broad spectrum of future-proof skills crucial in today’s fast-evolving landscape. These skills include design thinking, foundational knowledge in artificial intelligence, business fundamentals, storytelling and communication, and financial literacy.
“These are the skills that will remain relevant, regardless of the career path students choose,” Aryan explains. “They form the building blocks for everything they aim to create in the future.” Through interactive modules, videos, expert interviews, and quizzes, LaunchPad engages students in a fun and effective learning process, ensuring that each module includes a guided assignment to help them build their first project step-by-step.
Overcoming Challenges and Building Community
Launching a platform like LaunchPad was not without its hurdles. One of the most significant challenges Aryan faced was garnering interest among students. He recalls, “When I first pitched the idea, I went from class to class, speaking with students and noting down their names.” This grassroots approach helped build a community eager to learn and create.
In addition to community building, Aryan also had to navigate the technical aspects of developing the platform itself. With limited coding experience, he utilized no-code platforms, focusing on the front-end design while collaborating with friends for back-end coding. “I learned a lot along the way, but my friends played an essential role in fine-tuning the website,” he adds.
Despite his perfectionist tendencies, Aryan recognized the importance of launching before achieving absolute perfection. “We delayed the launch by a month because I wanted everything to look just right. But eventually, we had to launch and improve based on feedback,” he admits. Gathering user feedback became crucial to the platform’s evolution, and hearing from students who benefitted from LaunchPad has been one of Aryan’s most rewarding experiences.
Transformative Impact: Success Stories from LaunchPad
The personalized approach of LaunchPad is a key aspect of its success. In addition to course content, the platform offers mentorship, pairing students with volunteers who guide them according to their interests. For instance, a student interested in robotics might connect with a mentor specializing in that field. “It’s about providing first-hand advice and support during their project-building journey,” Aryan explains.
Success stories from students illustrate the platform’s transformative impact. Armaan Mahajan, a 14-year-old student at Pathways School, shares how the program has equipped him with valuable skills in design thinking and business strategies. “I’m working on developing skills that will help me identify the right career,” he expresses, particularly interested in finance and computer science.
Similarly, Saira Dua, a 16-year-old IB student, reflects on her evolution from a student to a mentor within LaunchPad. “It feels amazing to connect with people and help them out,” she shares, emphasizing how the program has refined her storytelling and communication skills, making her a better speaker and writer.
Aaryaman, a 17-year-old student at Canadian International School in Bengaluru, serves as the Head of Technology for LaunchPad. Passionate about computer science and artificial intelligence, he has gained technical skills, particularly in back-end development using WordPress, through his involvement in the project. “LaunchPad is a very promising project,” he concludes, recognizing its potential for growth and impact.
Looking Ahead: The Vision for LaunchPad
As LaunchPad continues to flourish, Aryan envisions it becoming a self-sustaining community. His ultimate goal is to make the platform accessible to as many students as possible, ensuring that no financial barriers prevent them from learning essential skills. “Everything we offer is completely free, and we hope to keep it that way,” he emphasizes.
In the future, Aryan plans to expand the age range of the platform to include college students, recognizing that many are also seeking their first experiences in building their projects. With over 300 students already utilizing LaunchPad to develop various projects, Aryan is optimistic about the potential for future innovation and impact.
Reflecting on his journey, Aryan shares invaluable lessons for other young aspiring entrepreneurs: “Don’t be afraid to fail. The first iteration of anything you create is never going to be perfect. But once you put it out there and start getting feedback, you’ll improve each time. Don’t let the fear of failure stop you from launching.”
As he reiterates, “At the end of the day, we’re a platform built by students, for students.” Aryan remains committed to providing every student who joins LaunchPad with the opportunity to create something they can be proud of and gain skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
Conclusion: A Future of Endless Possibilities
The journey of LaunchPad is a testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and collaboration among young minds. With Aryan Nangia leading the charge, this platform not only equips students with essential skills but also fosters a community of innovators ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. As LaunchPad continues to grow, it stands as a beacon of hope for aspiring creators, proving that with the right tools and support, anything is possible.
FAQs
What is LaunchPad?
LaunchPad is a free digital platform designed to help teenagers learn essential skills and build real-world projects. It focuses on equipping students aged 12 to 17 with future-proof skills through interactive modules and mentorship.
Who can participate in LaunchPad?
Students aged 12 to 17 from various schools and countries are welcome to participate in LaunchPad. The platform aims to empower young individuals by providing them with valuable learning experiences.
What skills does LaunchPad teach?
LaunchPad teaches a variety of skills, including design thinking, artificial intelligence foundations, business fundamentals, storytelling and communication, and financial literacy, among others.
How does the mentorship program work?
LaunchPad pairs students with volunteers who guide them based on their interests. This personalized approach provides students with first-hand advice and support throughout their project-building journey.
Is there a cost to join LaunchPad?
No, LaunchPad is completely free for all students. Aryan Nangia, the founder, aims to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent students from accessing essential skills and resources.
How can students get involved with LaunchPad?
Students can get involved by signing up through the LaunchPad website or by participating in initiatives organized within their schools or communities.
What types of projects have students developed through LaunchPad?
Students have created a diverse range of projects, including apps, websites, and NGOs, showcasing their learning and the skills acquired through the platform.
What is the future vision for LaunchPad?
Aryan plans to expand LaunchPad to include college students and continue making it accessible to a broader audience. The goal is to foster a self-sustaining community where students can become mentors for future participants.
How does LaunchPad engage students in learning?
LaunchPad employs interactive modules, videos, expert interviews, presentations, and quizzes to make learning engaging and effective for students. Each module includes guided assignments to facilitate project development.
What should young entrepreneurs take away from Aryan’s journey?
Aryan encourages young entrepreneurs not to fear failure. He emphasizes that the first iteration of any project may not be perfect, but feedback and improvement are key to success. Following one’s passion often leads to the most rewarding projects.
Tags
LaunchPad, young entrepreneurs, digital learning, project development, mentorship, future skills, Aryan Nangia, education innovation, student empowerment
