“Do you remember that?”
“No, I think I forgot.”
It all began with a laugh over this simple conversation between two friends. A playful jab at memory—compared, humorously, to a goldfish’s—opened the door to a much deeper reflection. Why do we forget so easily? Whether it’s birthdays, lectures, or brilliant ideas, memory can be elusive. And yet, in that forgetfulness lies the seed of reinvention.
From IIT Classrooms to Startup Grit
Aush, a soft-spoken dreamer from Allahabad, shared how this fleeting nature of memory shaped his early years. Obsessed with academic excellence, he spent most of his school life aiming to rank among the top. The turning point? IIT Kanpur.
Here, mechanical engineering gave way to curiosity. Robotics replaced textbook learning. COVID-19 may have paused the world, but for Aush, it was the beginning of something new. Surrounded by mentors and peers who encouraged experimentation, he found a purpose that no exam could offer.
A World Beyond UPSC
Though family expectations leaned toward UPSC, Aush realized that true fulfillment didn’t come from chasing marks or government jobs. Instead, it came from building. Fixing. Innovating.
With his co-founders, each driven by diverse passions—from aerospace dreams fueled by SpaceX to expertise in machine learning—they built something remarkable: a snake-like robotic arm. What started as a college project soon gained momentum and direction.
Cracking Codes and Catching Fraudsters
Elsewhere in the cohort, another founder shared tales from the underbelly of finance. Armed with forensic expertise, they uncovered Ponzi schemes and fraudulent startups. Their venture now aims to automate fraud detection for banks and fintech firms.
It’s not just about catching scams. It’s about making the system smarter and more proactive.
Healing the Mind, One Pulse at a Time
Not all innovations came from spreadsheets and algorithms. One startup tackled stress—quite literally—through an AI-powered wearable that stimulates the vagus nerve. The concept? Deliver low-voltage electrical currents to calm the nervous system on demand.
Unlike apps that only track mental health, this device acts. It doesn’t just tell you you’re stressed—it helps you feel better, right then and there.
The Referral Revolution
Next came a pitch for e-commerce brands. In a world drowning in digital ads, one team turned to something timeless: referrals. By building a plug-and-play platform, they empowered brands to let happy customers bring in new ones. Conversion rates soared. Clients smiled. Word-of-mouth marketing got its long-overdue tech makeover.
Hydrogen, Reimagined
When it came to clean tech, one team had their eyes set on hydrogen. Not the explosive kind—but the safely stored, solid-state version. Their breakthrough? A method that allows hydrogen to be stored more densely and securely than ever before. Their R&D is backed by strong collaborations, and the technology is inching closer to mass adoption.
Digging Deeper—Literally
Another startup focused on soil health. Their portable soil testing kits help farmers make better decisions. Through B2B partnerships, they’re changing the way agriculture understands the ground it grows from. Increased yields. Lower costs. Happier farmers. Sometimes, real change starts right beneath your feet.
Wrapping Up, Looking Ahead
As the session ended, one thing became clear: innovation doesn’t follow a straight line. It’s full of zigzags, forgotten dreams, unexpected pivots, and the occasional spark that turns into a revolution. This startup cohort was more than a group of founders. It was a confluence of thinkers, doers, and storytellers.
And as they parted ways—with LinkedIn requests, demo invites, and new ideas brewing—there was only one thing left to say: “Let’s keep building.” For more such interesting trending content do check FounderLabs.
