The Spark: A Childhood Immersed in Code

Born in India, Pranjali began learning coding languages at the age of 7. Her curiosity for tech only deepened when her family moved to the United States, giving her access to advanced computer science courses and competitive math programs.

By 11, she was already a proficient coder, and by 13, she landed an internship at the machine learning lab of Florida International University. There, she contributed to real-world AI projects, conducting research and assisting in data analysis. This experience planted the seeds of a bigger dream.

The Vision: Research Made Easier with AI

In 2020, when OpenAI released ChatGPT-3 Beta, Pranjali had a lightbulb moment. She realised the vast potential of generative AI in simplifying academic research, an area she was already immersed in through her internship.

This idea eventually led to the birth of Delv.AI in January 2022, an AI-driven platform that extracts and summarises information from dense academic papers and online resources, streamlining research for students, academics, and professionals.

The Breakthrough: Funding and Global Backing

Pranjali joined an AI startup accelerator in Miami, where she pitched her idea with remarkable clarity and conviction. Investors were quick to recognise her potential. She raised an initial funding of $450,000 (around Rs 3.7 crore) from top firms like On Deck and Village Global—the latter backed by Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.

Currently, Delv.AI has a lean team of 10 and is growing rapidly. Despite her age, Pranjali is deeply involved in all aspects of the business, from coding and product development to customer support and operations.

The Balance: Education and Entrepreneurship

While her meteoric rise has led her to pause formal education, Pranjali has made it clear that academics are still on her radar. For now, she’s laser-focused on expanding her company and making a meaningful impact.

As the startup ecosystem continues to spotlight young innovators, Pranjali Awasthi’s rise is a reminder that with the right mix of passion, skill, and support, age is no barrier to changing the world.

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