From High school to Entrepreneur: How I built my first AI based Startup at 16

When people get to know my age and that I am running a startup, their first reaction is awe. And this is usually followed by a question:
"How did you start at the age of 16?"

Truth be told, I had not begun with a plan or funds or a team. I began with identifying a problem, and a deep resolve to fix it. Today, my AI-powered chatbot startup Naayika, helps various women entrepreneurs discover and comprehend government related loan schemes tailored to them. But I believe that the real story is not about the product. It is how the product came to life and how you all can build your own startup too, regardless of your age.

It all starts with a problem

Remember, every startup begins with a problem, not with a product. Let me share how it started with me. I overheard a conversation of my mother with a cook in the house. Her daughter wanted to start her own bakery but did not know anything about loan schemes which were available to her or the process of applying for them. She said that even if something does exist, how would she ever find it? That was the moment I realized that though information may exist, its access may not. Especially for aspiring women entrepreneurs living in India.

I asked myself “What if I could build a simple chatbot that could answer their queries, in their language, instantly?”

Never rush to build. Always do your research first

It might sound tempting to start building as soon as an idea strikes. But some of the most successful founders always pause and explore options. I asked myself questions like- Should I build a website? Or A YouTube channel? Or An app? After doing a lot of research, I discovered the potential of AI chatbots and how they could make complex government schemes feel as simple as asking a friend for her advice.

Do not just google. Talk to real people.

This was one of the most important things I did in the initial stages itself. I talked to real users. I had a deeply engaging and interactive workshop with over 30 women entrepreneurs at the Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship Development University. These were women who wanted to run bakeries, boutique shops, salons. Through their insights I got to know that their real pain was not just information, but also fear of paperwork, lack of trust, and language barriers. These conversations helped me shape the features, the tone, and even the language of the chatbot. This taught me a lesson that I will always remember- Your first job as a founder is to listen.

Do not start too big. Build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to begin with

I must share that I did not build a full-fledged app on day one. I built a very basic chatbot that could answer maybe 30 of the most common questions asked. Trust me, it was not perfect. I shared it with early users, watched where they struggled, and improvised it accordingly every week. This is how real startups grow. With iterations, not perfections.

Remember to plan your revenue stream

Even though my focus was more on impact, I knew the project must sustain itself. I explored revenue options such as premium services for personalized help, partnerships with relevant NGOs and financial institutions, consulting services for organizations that work with rural women. You may not charge users from day one, but thinking about revenue early, not only makes you a smarter founder, it also helps build a startup on sound financial footing.

Learn to pitch with a purpose

Eventually, I got the chance to pitch my startup at an event for young entrepreneurs. I was nervous, but also excited. Instead of just listing features, I told the jury a story about the real problem, how I discovered it, what I built, how it works and my vision for scaling impact. I strongly believe that investors do not just invest in products. They invest in the person who deeply understands a problem.

So, starting from right now, this is what you can do if you are a student who dreams of creating an impact:

· Start with trying to solve a real problem, and not just a random app idea

· Talk to real users, and not just friends

· Build something small first and test it quick, improve constantly

· Think about sustainability and long-term goals, and not just fundraising

· Be bold and believe in your voice, even if you are the youngest in the room

You do not need to wait to be “ready.” I was not. I am still learning every single day. But if you have the courage to start, the world has the appetite for your ideas. We do not need more people waiting for permission to build. We need more young founders solving real problems with empathy, technology, and passion.

I started at 16. So can you.