Yes, I Once Built a Startup
Yes, I Once Built a Startup
At the end of 2024, we presented our idea at Microsoft
and stepped into our first real journey.
We visited local shops, spoke with users, and interviewed schools.
We collected meaningful data.
And the adventure began.
More detail
The Happiest Year of My Life
During that year, I worked with students from IIT India
and Auburn University.
Long nights, endless coffee, and constant messages
became the rhythm of our lives.
Sometimes inspiration struck just before sleep.
Sometimes a teammate messaged me at 4 AM with a wild idea.
It was chaotic, exhausting, and incredibly exciting.
We were fueled by pure dopamine.
When Our Applications Didn’t Get In
We submitted proposals to U-STAR,
the Microsoft Imagine Cup,
BeChangeMaker,
and joined various business meetups.
But every application came back with the same answer: not accepted.
Losing Direction
We kept switching between features and customer needs.
Our bodies and minds were stretched thin.
Eventually, one teammate burned out.
Then another.
And finally — me.
The Break That Became an Ending
What started as a short break
turned into quiet dissolution.
The team faded.
And I collapsed with it.
I fell into self-blame,
believing I wasn’t capable enough.
Depression Took Over, and My Future Went Dark
I once planned to pursue a master’s degree in Germany in 2025.
Everything was prepared —
my study plan,
my business minor,
my path toward applying to Mannheim University.
But everything fell apart.
I returned to the design department.
I revisited the teachers who once guided me,
hoping to find a sense of who I used to be.
Alone, I Tried to Find Myself Again
But the spark was gone.
The spark of building something.
Then one night, Kumar shared a new idea.
That conversation gave me a small light —
a reminder that I could stand up again.
I wanted to grow stronger.
I wanted to rebuild.
I wanted to restart.
My Graduation Ceremony
I once imagined a joyful graduation ceremony.
But I didn’t want a crowd.
So instead, I joined a triathlon.
I chose rafting as my graduation ritual —
a way to move forward alone.
Yes, Everything Went Out of Control
Even now, I still dream about failure.
I talk less.
I smile less.
I guard myself more.
Maybe this is why people say
“Don’t start a business lightly.”
My perspective changed.
I began to think in systems, not parts.
I also became more cautious with people —
more protective,
more independent,
and familiar with the feeling
that sometimes no one is there to listen.
Now, I Try to Live More Honestly
I try to feel the beauty in life again.
To notice kindness.
To appreciate what remains.
Restarting?
I haven’t given up.
But first, I must rebuild myself.
Sharpen my tools,
repair my shield,
and wait for the right moment
to strike again.
Powerlessness and Growth
Learning can feel powerless.
But management excites me.
Business ideas motivate me.
I’ve shifted from a technician
to a strategist.
There’s no returning to who I used to be —
only moving forward into who I could become.
I Am No Longer the Old Me
I still carry the skills from my student years.
But now I focus on:
- Leading people
- Bringing ideas to market
- Finding the right talent
- Writing strong proposals
- Solving problems with a business mindset
Staying Open
I study across disciplines.
I learn how different industries operate.
I read stories of success and failure.
I read business books.
I explore.
I grow.
Enjoying Life Again
I try to enjoy what already exists in my life.
I refuse to let society’s standards define me.
What Haven’t I Achieved Yet?
People often ask:
“What else do you want to accomplish?”
Plenty.
I want to see the ocean.
I want to feed the fish underwater.
I want to travel the world.
I want to submit to CHI.
And someday, I want to build again.
The world’s standards
can no longer limit me.
In the End
Yes, I still want to start a company again.
So I will keep moving.
Because the pure excitement of creating —
no one can take that away from me.