CreatED

In the current educational landscape, the gap between the skills taught in academic institutions and those required in the workforce presents a significant challenge, particularly in emerging economies and disadvantaged communities. In India, only 28% of young people manage to enroll in college. What’s worse is that 44.5% of graduates in the 20-24 age group were unemployed as of December 2023, with unemployment rates increasing yearly. Overall, India’s youth unemployment rate is significantly higher than the global average of 5.2%, and there is a lack of support for students, particularly in student mentoring programs.

India is home to the largest K-12 population in the world, serving over 250 million students. However, the education system prioritizes theoretical knowledge over practical application. It leaves students ill-prepared to succeed in their community and a complex world, with little/no problem-solving skills and literacy around new technologies such as AI. According to Bain's Future of work report, automation will displace 2.5 million workers per year—a labor market disruption far more significant than any we’ve experienced in the past. This disruption is primarily attributed to the lack of 21st-century skills and transferable skill development in higher education settings. 

CreatED is building an innovation ecosystem that provides practical exposure to real-world challenges and fosters a problem-solving mindset. It achieves this in 3 ways: mentor matching, institutional partnerships, and enabling access to existing makerspaces.

1. MentorMatch Platform

A distinctive platform that pairs school students with PhDs and Masters candidates and provides a learning infrastructure for collaboration, centering on shared interests, language preferences, and objectives to cultivate fruitful collaborations that result in tangible research outputs and prototypes. This allows teenagers to choose their preferred domain, collaborate with an expert, work on a project, and co-author a research paper. Powered by AI, MentorMatch analyzes user profiles and preferences, ensuring the matches are optimal for mentorship and collaboration. Additionally, AI aids in customizing learning materials for each student. By examining the student's application, grade level, and language preferences, we tailor content for the mentor, giving them a broad curriculum framework & timeline while opening avenues for project-specific customization.

1. Institutional & Industrial Partnerships 

Summer Initiatives: CreatED has launched the Tech Visionaries Internship Program, a first-of-its-kind collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay explicitly designed for high school students. Additionally, we are finalizing formal partnerships with other leading educational institutes catering to disciplines like psychology, management, and research across the country, focusing on tier 2 and tier 3 cities to improve access to high-quality, 21st-century education. 

1. Hub and Spoke Model with Makerspaces

As 1 of 50 Viksit Bharat (Government of India’s roadmap to a developed India, see attached image) startups invited to contribute to the national discourse around India’s vision for 2047, CreatED is committed to democratizing 21st-century education. India has a network of 10,000 makerspaces funded by the federal government that need strong mentors, tinkerers, and facilitators. While the infrastructure exists, most ATLs are rendered inoperable due to a lack of STEM educators able to teach. CreatED aims to build various capabilities of these makerspaces by staffing and providing professional development for incoming mentors while exponentially improving access and minimizing capital expenditure. CreatED shall foster optimal learning environments for its stakeholders, reducing learning inequities, digital divide, and biases against STEM Education.

CreatED serves teenagers across India, focusing on equipping them with critical skills and experiences essential for success in the 21st century. The platform caters specifically to young learners eager to explore advanced academic and professional opportunities but lacking resources and guidance to do so effectively.

Who They Are:

The primary beneficiaries of CreatED are Indian teenagers, particularly those aged 13 to 19. This demographic represents a culturally diverse, multilingual population from a myriad of socioeconomic and cultural fabrics in India. This population segment is eager to engage with new ideas and technologies, and are often at a pivotal stage in their educational journey, making decisions that will influence their career paths and future opportunities.

Current Challenges and Underserved Needs:

1. Limited Access to Advanced Educational Resources:

Many Indian teens, especially those from smaller towns and rural areas, face significant barriers to accessing advanced educational tools and mentorship. Educational resources in these regions are often limited to what is available in traditional school curriculums, which needs to cover the latest scientific and technological advancements.

1. Lack of Exposure to Real-World Applications:

Practical experience is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of theoretical concepts, yet many students need more opportunity to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. This gap leaves them underprepared for both higher education and professional environments.

1. Inequitable Opportunities for Innovation:

While some urban students might have access to modern labs and tech hubs, their counterparts in less developed areas rarely encounter such facilities. This disparity creates an uneven playing field for nurturing innovation and creativity.

Impact on the Lives of Teens:

Development of 21st-Century Skills:
CreatED strongly emphasizes skills such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication. Students develop these competencies by engaging with the platform's various components—mentorship programs, makerspaces, online training, and AI tools—in a structured yet explorative environment. This skill set is crucial for navigating the complexities of modern professional and personal landscapes.
Exposure to Advanced Academic Research:
The MentorMatch platform encourages teenagers to collaborate with PhD and Masters candidates, giving them a unique insight into advanced academic research and scholarly writing. This experience enhances their academic profiles and instills a robust understanding of research methodologies, data analysis, and critical evaluation very early in their academic journey. Since it is a remote first platform, language filters enable students to pair up with a mentor who can teach in a language they are familiar with.

Hands-on Experience in Real-World Settings:
Through the Industry and Institutes partnerships, students gain invaluable practical experience by working on projects at premier institutions like Indian Institute of Technology and Indian Institute of Management. Such experiences bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, preparing students for higher education and careers in their chosen fields.

CreatED directly addresses these challenges by offering a hub and spoke model, effectively aiming to utilize the 10,000+ makerspaces already established across India, giving rural and urban students access to physical spaces. Additionally, CreatED helps build and nurture mentor-mentee relationships via MentorMatch, and provides hands-on project-based experience at leading institutions and companies.

Aashna (Founder and CEO) is an entrepreneur in the field of educational technology, holding a Master's in Educational Technology from Harvard University and a B.A. from Pomona College. She is recognized for her ability to drive growth and impact in education settings. She has received the Harvard Education Entrepreneurship Fellowship, Earth Prize Educator of the Year award, thought leader at SXSW, and the youngest winner of the Schmidt Futures Tools Competition. Aashna's focus on education, technology, and impact has led her to work with various EdTech companies. She has also consulted for the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard and Highlights. A teacher at heart passionate about inspiring young inventors, Aashna is dedicated to empowering teens to design better solutions for the future.

Ronak (Head of Strategy) is a tinkerer, innovator, and cook. He helped establish the first 10 maker spaces in schools known as the Atal Tinkering Labs, a movement of more than 10,000 schools. At 25, he joined the Government of India’s NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission and is the youngest member of its founding team. A first-generation student, he started working at 12, fixing photocopier machines with his father to make ends meet. His early experiences of operating in a resource-constrained environment led him to Harvard University, where his research focuses on creating innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems for developing nations. He believes in democratizing an action-oriented Innovation culture wherever he goes, guided by inclusivity, empathy, and impact. Ronak is deeply connected with innovators nationwide due to his illustrious work in the Indian grassroots ecosystem.,  Ronak has led the federal capacity building program on STEAM education with his program, Unbox Tinkering. This program has trained over 2,000 teachers with 10+ industry partners, 200+ master trainers, and over 340 workshops in three years.

The core team has collectively have mentored over 2000+ teachers, educators and students. The students/mentees, mentored by Aashna & Ronak have won national and international robotics and STEM education competitions like VEX IQ, LEGO FTC and FRC, and WRO Global.

CreatED was founded in January 2024

We have collaborated with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and received 200+ applications to the Tech Visionaries Summer Program. We will be selecting the cohort by the end of May.

We currently have 50 students from 8 different states in India paying as much as $2,800/yr for and as little as $250/yr for mentorship based on their socio-economic background. Other than that we have 380 students on the mentor-matching platform.

There are currently 15 PhD/Masters candidates on the MentorMatch working with students.

We’ve graduated 5 students from the mentor-mentee program. You can see their projects here

Expertise in Advanced AI Applications:

While we have made strides with our AI tools, we need to think through scalable AI infrastructure. Solve's network includes AI specialists and thought leaders in the field of AI could provide valuable insights, guidance, and mentorship. Their expertise would be instrumental in enhancing our AI tagging, matching algorithms, and GenAI curriculum framework generator. We are also very interested in learning more about ethical use of such AI tools in education settings.

Talent Development and Training:

As we scale, a major barrier is finding and training talent that aligns with our mission. Solve's global community has a strong repository of talent training platforms, where we could not only find individuals with the necessary skills but also receive support in developing a training program that ensures our mentors and team members are at the cutting edge of educational technology and pedagogy.

Strategic Partnerships:

Solve’s ethos of collaborative development aligns perfectly with our mission. We seek non-monetary support through partnerships, mentorships, and collaborations that can propel our initiatives forward. Through MIT Solve, we hope to forge connections with educational institutions, governmental bodies, and industry players through Solve to facilitate our growth and users’ success.

Innovation in Technology and Process

1. AI-Driven Tagging and Profile Matching:

   • Innovative Use of NLP: By utilizing natural language processing to analyze and match profiles based on nuanced details such as interests and educational goals, MentorMatch goes beyond basic demographic or geographic matching. This targeted matching is more likely to yield successful mentorships that are engaging and effective for both mentors and mentees.

   • Dynamic Matching: Continuous learning from interactions and feedback within the system allows for the refinement of matching algorithms, ensuring increasingly successful pairings over time.

2. GenAI Curriculum Framework Generator:

   • Personalized Learning at Scale: This tool dramatically enhances the ability to customize educational content at scale, a significant improvement over the one-size-fits-all curriculum approach. By adjusting content based on individual needs and providing it in multiple languages, it democratizes access to quality education.

   • Real-Time Curriculum Customization: Incorporates immediate updates based on mentor input and student feedback, ensuring the curriculum remains relevant and effective.

3. Learning Management System (LMS) and Project Tracking:

   • Streamlined Collaboration: Facilitates a more structured and transparent mentorship experience, enabling better communication and progress tracking. This system ensures that all parties remain aligned and can easily access project status and necessary resources.

Market and Landscape Change

1. Redefining Mentorship Access and Engagement:

   • By streamlining the process and improving the quality of matches, MentorMatch can increase the attractiveness of mentorship programs, drawing more participants and potentially inspiring similar adaptations in other educational fields.

   • The ease and effectiveness of the platform could encourage more professionals to participate as mentors, knowing that the AI ensures a good fit between their skills and the mentees’ needs.

2. Encouraging Innovation in Educational Content Delivery:

   • The GenAI Curriculum Framework Generator sets a new standard for personalized education, prompting other educational platforms to adopt more sophisticated AI tools for curriculum development. This could lead to broader improvements in educational content customization across the industry.

3. Inspiring New Standards in Educational Tools:

   • CreatED Brainstorm Buddy and Writing Buddy: These tools not only support students in developing and executing projects but also raise the bar for what educational support tools can accomplish. The integration of advanced AI for brainstorming and writing assistance, including features like 'Auto Cite', provides a template that others in the educational technology space might follow.

Broader Positive Impacts

1. Increased Educational Equity:

   • By providing tools that compensate for differences in educational resources and mentor access, the platform can help level the playing field for students from diverse backgrounds.

   • Multilingual and culturally sensitive tools ensure that students globally can benefit, regardless of their primary language or cultural context.

2. Catalyzing Community and Professional Involvement:

   • The platform’s ease of use and the rewarding experience of tailored mentorships might motivate more professionals to engage with communities, share their knowledge, and contribute to developing future talents.

By leveraging AI-driven mentor matching, institutional partnerships, and effective utilization of makerspaces, CreatED aims to transform education by providing tailored, practical learning opportunities that empower students in underserved regions, creating a ripple effect of educational equity, technological fluency, and innovative problem-solving that aligns with India’s vision for 2047.

Strategies (Program Actions)

• Development and implementation of the MentorMatch platform using AI to facilitate personalized learning experiences. We have beta launched with our 15 PhD mentors and 50+ students. By the end of the year we aim to have 100+ mentors and 10,000+ students on the platform

• Establish partnerships with prestigious institutions and industrial bodies to provide internship opportunities and academic collaborations. We have collaborated with the Indian Institute of Technology of Bombay and gotten 200+ applications to the summer program. We will partner with 3 other leading institute by the end of the year.

• Adopt the Hub and Spoke model to revitalize makerspaces with qualified educators and resources. We are surveying makerspaces in Maharashtra and will work with the government of Maharashtra to launch a professional development portal for stem educators and staff 5-10 makerspaces in the near future.

Targets (Directly Targeted by Strategies)

• School students, especially in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, will acquire knowledge and skills in their domains of interest. We currently have students from 8 different states paying as much as $2,800/yr for mentorship and as little as $250/yr for mentorship based on their socio-economic background. We aim to offer at least 100 students a full scholarship by the end of the year

• PhD and Masters candidates will enhance their teaching and mentorship skills. We currently have 15 candidates on the platforms and are set to add 15 every month.

• Makerspaces will become fully operational and effectively used for STEM education.

Outcomes (Ultimate Goals)

• Democratize high-quality, practical, and 21st-century education throughout India.

• Create a skilled workforce prepared for real-world challenges and the modern economy.

• Reduce educational inequities and bridge the digital divide.

• Promote innovation and critical thinking through hands-on problem solving and research.

Moderators (Factors that Could Affect Who Benefits Most and/or Least)

• Accessibility and efficacy of AI technology in matching mentors and students effectively.

• The commitment of institutional partners to support and sustain collaborations.

• The engagement level of mentors and their ability to adapt to different educational needs.

• Local and regional infrastructure to support the operation of makerspaces.

• Government policies and the level of support for educational initiatives.

Democratization of Education: Enrolling over 10,000 students with 100+ full scholarships targeted by year-end, aiming to significantly increase educational access in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.

Development of a Skilled Workforce: Facilitating tangible research outputs with 500+ student projects completed and a growing network of 100+ PhD and Masters mentors by the end of the year.

Reduction of Educational Inequities: Providing scaled mentorship costs, currently ranging from $250 to $2,800 per year, to ensure diverse socio-economic inclusivity.

Fostering Innovation and Critical Thinking: Expanding the utilization of makerspaces, aiming to staff and activate 5-10 locations with professional development for STEM educators.

Strengthening Industry Partnerships: Establishing collaborations with 3 more top-tier educational and industrial organizations, as evidenced by 200+ applications received for the innovative Tech Visionaries Internship Program with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay.

MentorMatch Platform:

• AI-Driven Tagging and Profile Matching: This technology uses natural language processing to analyze user profiles, including interests, educational goals, and preferred language. By identifying commonalities between students and potential mentors, the AI creates optimal pairings that are likely to result in successful and mutually beneficial mentorships.

• GenAI Curriculum Framework Generator: Leveraging a base of standard and proprietary curriculum content, this AI tool generates personalized educational materials to suit the specific needs of each student-mentor pair. It incorporates translation capabilities, adjusts for grade level appropriateness, and identifies areas within the curriculum that require customization to meet the unique demands of individual projects.

• Learning Management System (LMS) and Project Tracking: This component provides a centralized platform for scheduling meetings, tracking project milestones, and facilitating feedback. The LMS ensures that all participants can collaborate efficiently, stay on track with their goals, and have a clear overview of the project's progress.

Mentor recruiting tool:

CreatED’s custom recruiting tool for onboarding mentors harnesses the power of LinkedIn's public API to streamline the application process, reflecting a sophisticated and targeted approach:

1. Dynamic Application Process: Once a potential mentor submits their LinkedIn profile URL, the LinkedIn scraper leveraging the public API automatically organizes the extracted information into a structured format. It identifies which key pieces of information are missing that are necessary for the application.

2. Automated Google Form Population: The tool then dynamically creates a Google Form with pre-filled information from the LinkedIn profile, prompting the candidate to provide only the additional details required. This automation significantly reduces the effort and time for mentors to apply, streamlining their recruiting experience.

Student AI Tools

Gen AI tools for ideation and writing support represents a significant advancement in educational technology:

1. CreatED Brainstorm Buddy: This tool is a specialized GPT-based AI trained on over 13,000 data points from high-performing high school projects in national and international competitions. Its function is to assist students in generating innovative project ideas that align with their academic interests and extracurricular activities. Accessible on CreatED's website, it's a complimentary tool for students looking to find inspiration for their projects. Sign up here to use it: https://www.create-ed.in/brainstorm-buddy

2. CreatED Writing Buddy: Slated for release at the end of May, the Writing Buddy tool is designed to simplify the research writing process. Its standout feature, 'Auto Cite', will enable users to automatically insert both in-text and reference citations in the correct formatting for any citation style. Additionally, its multilingual support aims to minimize the challenges non-native English speakers face, leveling the playing field for global students.

• Full-Time - Founder 1
• Part-Time - Head of Strategy 1 
• Part-Time - Mentors 15
• Part-Time - Developer 1

CreatED was incorporated in January 2024. Since then, we have gotten over 50 paying students from 8 different states in India, been invited to contribute to the “Viksit Bharat: India in 2047” event by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, received 200+ applicants to our summer program at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, added 15 PhD mentors to our mentor community, and developed 2 AI tools for brainstorming and feedback.

CreatED is deeply committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within our team and initiatives. We recognize the profound importance of DEI principles in the Indian context, where societal inequities and systemic barriers have long marginalized certain communities, limiting their access to educational and economic opportunities.

By championing diversity, equity, and inclusion, CreatED aims to empower students across India, particularly those from marginalized communities, to unlock their full potential and become agents of positive change, driving innovation and socioeconomic progress, as follows:

Diversity: 

Our leadership team epitomizes diversity, with individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. Aashna, the founder, is a BIPOC woman in STEM who was fortunate enough to have access to a strong mentoring program during her formative years. Ronak, our Head of Strategy, is a first-generation student who has worked with the Government of India to establish 200+ Atal Tinkering Labs nationwide, immersing himself in grassroots innovation ecosystems. CreatED mentors and students come from various parts of the country, speaking different languages and representing different socioeconomic statuses. 

Equity: 

CreatED is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location. Our "pay what you can" model for mentorship fees ensures that students from disadvantaged backgrounds can access our services at subsidized rates or through full scholarships. We actively seek partnerships with educational institutions and makerspaces in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, bridging the resource gap and bringing high-quality educational experiences to underserved regions.

Inclusion: 

We foster an inclusive environment where every team member and student feels valued, respected, and supported. Our AI-powered MentorMatch platform facilitates mentor-mentee pairings based on shared interests and language preferences, ensuring students can engage with mentors who understand their cultural contexts and communicate effectively.

Belongingness: We prioritize recruiting and training mentors and educators from diverse backgrounds, enabling them to serve as role models and create a sense of belonging for students from underrepresented communities. We actively collaborate with organizations and government bodies that share our values, advocating for inclusive policies and practices in the education sector. 

CreatED aims to initiate a ripple effect with the above actions, inspiring other stakeholders to embrace DEI principles and contribute to a more equitable society.

1. Key Partners:

• PhDs and Master's degree candidates who serve as mentors. 
• Industry partners for internships and case competitions.
• Atal Innovation Makerspaces and other makerspaces.
• Technology providers for platform development and AI tools.

2. Key Activities:

• Building, managing and optimizing the MentorMatch Platform.
• Coordinating 1:1 mentorship sessions.
• Designing learning programs for industry and institutional programs.
• Liaising and securing industry+institutional partnerships
• Providing ongoing alumni support.
• Developing and maintaining AI tools for idea generation and writing assistance.

3. Value Propositions:

• Free access to the MentorMatch Platform and application process for industry/institutional programs.
• Opportunity for 1:1 mentorship with PhD and Master's degree candidates.
• Access to unique industry programs and hands-on project work.
• Enhanced educational experience with AI tools for students.

4. Customer Relationships:

• Personalized mentorship.
• Support throughout the application and selection processes.
• Ongoing engagement through the CreatED Alumni network.

5. Customer Segments:

• High school students seeking research and project-based learning experiences.
• Students looking for mentorship in specific academic domains.
• Students aiming to participate in industry-led programs and internships.

6. Key Resources:

• The MentorMatch Platform technology.
• Educational content for research and project development.
• Network of mentors and industry professionals.
• Collaborative relationships with educational institutions.
• In-house AI tools (currently fine-tuned on 13,000 data points)

7. Channels:

• Online platform for mentorship matching and applications.
• Educational institutions for program outreach and promotion.
• Social media, webinars, and workshops for engagement and recruitment.

8. Cost Structure:

• Platform development and maintenance costs.
• Costs associated with coordinating mentorship and industry program placements.
• Marketing and promotional expenses.
• Staffing costs for program administrators and support personnel.

9. Revenue Streams:

• Fees are collected from students for 1:1 mentorship once they decide to work on a specific research paper/project.
• Participation fees from students selected for industry programs.

CreatED has always been and is currently bootstrapped & slightly profitable, generating a net revenue of $10,000 with a 8% profit margin reinvested in the business. The revenue is primarily derived from service fees charged to students for accessing long-term project mentorship from PhD candidates. Additionally, fees are collected for participation in institutional programs, with the pricing set in collaboration with our partner institutes. This pricing strategy includes a provision for allocating 30% of the slots to full scholarships, ensuring inclusivity.

For the MentorMatch program, we implement a flexible pricing policy—"pay what you can"—allowing students from affluent backgrounds to contribute more, thereby subsidizing the cost for those who receive financial aid. This model helps maintain equity within our services. We currently have students from 8 different states paying as much as $2,800/yr for mentorship and as little as $200/yr for mentorship based on their socio-economic background. 

Mentors are compensated only when they commit to guiding a student through an extended research project, which incentivizes mentor retention and helps keep our operating expenses low.

Currently, our Brainstorm AI tool, designed to aid in idea generation and writing, is offered free of charge and organically attracts roughly 100 daily active users, enhancing our service value and user engagement.

We currently spend $0 on marketing and have got all students by word of mouth.