JAMMU: In an exclusive online interview conducted by Ajmer Alam Wani, Editor-in-Chief of JK Monitor (www.jkmonitor.org), Sanskriti Dawle, the visionary CEO and Co-Founder of Thinkerbell Labs, delves deep into the journey behind the creation of their groundbreaking assistive technology, Annie, and the challenges and triumphs encountered along the way.
Dawle's journey into the realm of assistive technology began with a poignant encounter during her time at BITS Pilani. While working on a research project at a blind school in Hyderabad, she witnessed a teenage student struggling with basic Braille literacy. This firsthand experience ignited a passion within her to address the glaring gaps in education for the visually impaired.
The inception of Thinkerbell Labs was driven by a mission to revolutionize assistive technology and promote inclusive education. However, the path was fraught with challenges, including the lack of established curricula and standards for Braille literacy in India.
Undeterred, Dawle and her team embarked on a journey of extensive research and collaboration, seeking expertise from organizations like the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to refine Annie's functionality and effectiveness.
Securing investments posed another hurdle for the fledgling startup. Dawle's strategic approach focused on highlighting Annie's potential to make a global impact in education, resonating with investors who shared their vision of "tech for good." Notable investments from industry stalwarts like Anand Mahindra and Raman Roy, coupled with a compelling pitch on Shark Tank India, propelled Thinkerbell Labs to new heights.
Despite the challenges, Dawle remains steadfast in her commitment to promoting inclusive education. Through partnerships with organizations like MIT Solve and APH, Thinkerbell Labs has made significant strides in improving learning outcomes for visually impaired students across India, with over 5,500 beneficiaries to date.
Central to Thinkerbell Labs' success is their dedication to cultural sensitivity and inclusivity, exemplified by their localization efforts and innovative funder model. By ensuring accessibility for learners from diverse backgrounds, Dawle and her team are breaking down barriers to education in even the most remote areas.
As a leader in the tech industry and a passionate advocate for inclusive education, Dawle continues to champion the rights of visually impaired individuals on a global stage. Through her participation in prestigious events like the Raisina Dialogue and Kigali Global Dialogue, she amplifies their voices and drives meaningful change in the global conversation on education and technology.
Drawing inspiration from trailblazers like Savitribai Phule, Dawle encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their passion for social impact, leaving no one behind. With Thinkerbell Labs, she is not only advancing the field of education technology but also creating a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
For the detailed interview, read questions and answers below till end:-
Q1): Sanskriti, your journey from a Computer Science major at BITS Pilani to the CEO and Co-Founder of Thinkerbell Labs is truly inspiring. Can you share a pivotal moment or experience that motivated you to venture into the realm of assistive technology for the visually impaired?
Ans1): I had the opportunity to visit a blind school in Hyderabad while I was working on a research project during my time at BITS Pilani. There, I met a student, a teenager, who was struggling with learning the ABCs in Braille. Witnessing this firsthand and realizing that I had access to education while she was struggling with basic spelling was a pivotal moment for me.
It made me realize the dire need for major advancements in assistive technology for the visually impaired, especially in education. My team and I conducted further research only to reveal a lack of educators in India equipped to teach Braille effectively. This experience ignited my passion and motivated me and my three partners to venture into the realm of assistive technology for the visually impaired, ultimately leading to the founding of Thinkerbell Labs.
Q2): Thinkerbell Labs has been recognized for its groundbreaking work in fostering inclusive education. Could you elaborate on some of the key challenges you faced while developing assistive technology solutions, and how your team overcame them?
Ans2): In the journey of developing Annie (assistive technology) at Thinkerbell Labs, we encountered several significant challenges. One of the primary hurdles was the lack of established curricula and standards for braille literacy. Additionally, there was no standard syllabus or literacy milestones, only fragmented systems to guide our development process. This lack of established benchmarks meant that we had to create our own progression for the learner and their proficiency.
During the prototyping and field testing stages of the startup, we sought expertise from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), the UK's leading sight loss charity, to study braille pedagogy. This collaboration provided invaluable insights, helping us refine Annie's functionality to better meet the needs of learners.
The creation of Annie represented venturing into a "blue ocean," where no category like this existed before, necessitating extensive research. Finding lab space for the initial prototyping and hardware development of Annie was another challenge. We worked on multiple prototypes and conducted multiple rounds of field testing to refine our solutions.
Moreover, the support we received from BITS Pilani, our alma mater, was instrumental in overcoming these challenges. They helped us get grants and unlimited access to prototyping facilities, enabling us to refine our technology effectively.
Q3): As a young changemaker, founding Thinkerbell Labs straight out of college must have come with its own set of challenges. What were some of the biggest hurdles you encountered during the early stages of building the company, and how did you navigate through them?
Ans3): In the early stages of founding Thinkerbell Labs straight out of college, one of the biggest hurdles we faced was struggling to keep the venture self-sustainable. Like many startups, finding capital was a constant concern, especially as we worked to develop and market our innovative assistive technology solutions.
Additionally, another significant challenge was finding team members who were not only skilled but also willing to take risks and commit to the journey with us for the long term. We needed individuals who shared our vision and were willing to navigate the uncertainties that come with a startup. Despite these challenges, through strategic networking and a commitment to our vision, we successfully navigated these hurdles, laying the foundation for Thinkerbell Labs' growth and success.
Q4): Raising substantial investments from prominent figures like Anand Mahindra, Peyush Bansal, Namita Thapar, and Raman Roy is a remarkable achievement. Can you shed light on your approach to securing investments, and what factors do you believe contributed to gaining the trust and support of such influential investors?
Ans4): Our approach to securing investments revolved around how our technology could make a global impact in education. We emphasized the massive need for our product, Annie, in the market, showcasing its potential to help scale inclusive education solutions.
Our motto, "tech for good," resonated with investors who were aligned with supporting initiatives that contribute positively to society. Annie was built with the vision of "made in India, made for the world," underscoring the global need for a technology like ours.
In March 2016, a significant turning point came when we had the opportunity to meet with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Within three weeks, our basic prototype was transformed into a functional unit after selection. Mr. Anand Mahindra was present at the event, and he decided to invest shortly after. Mr. Raman Roy's investment came after Mr. Anand Mahindra's, with support from the Indian Angel Network. Later, appearing on Shark Tank India provided another platform to showcase our solution.
A live demonstration by Prathamesh, our 13-year-old brand ambassador and Annieâs star student, in front of the sharks instilled instant confidence in our work. We effectively presented the solution to this problem during the demonstration, highlighting the potential of Annie to revolutionize inclusive education ecosystems globally. This led to investments from Mr. Peyush Bansal, Ms. Namita Thapar, and Mr. Anupam Mittal.
Q5): Thinkerbell Labs secured one of the largest funding offers on Shark Tank Indiaâs first season. What strategies or tactics did you employ during your pitch to ensure that your vision for the company resonated with the investors on the show?
Ans5): During our pitch on Shark Tank India's first season, we focused on highlighting the urgent need for Annie, emphasizing its high demand amidst our significant growth. Prathamesh, our 13-year-old brand ambassador, gave a live demo of how to navigate through Annie.
This underlined the product's impact, while we ensured our mission of global Braille literacy was communicated clearly. We also emphasized Annie's patented technology and its potential for global scalability through the US contract with APH, presenting a compelling investment case. These strategies resonated with investors, capturing their attention and support for Thinkerbell Labs on the show.
Q6): Your impact at Thinkerbel Labs extends beyond just technological innovation, as evidenced by your recognition as a TEDx speaker, Mantra and SABERA awardee for Social Leadership, and KVPY fellow. How do you balance your roles as a leader in the tech industry and as a social advocate for inclusive education?
Ans6): Balancing my roles as a leader in the tech industry and as a social advocate for inclusive education is deeply rooted in the core mission of Thinkerbell Labs, which is to promote inclusive and accessible education for all.
From the outset, I've seen myself as a social advocate, and it's this vision that gave birth to the company. Thinkerbell Labs is the fruition of my vision to create social impact, and with the support of a great team, we've been able to realize this vision. By integrating technological innovation with a commitment to social advocacy, we ensure that our work not only advances the field of education technology but also contributes positively to society by promoting inclusivity and accessibility in education.
Q7): Being named MIT Solveâs âSolver Teamâ of 2022 is a significant achievement. Can you share some insights into the collaborative efforts and innovative solutions that led to this recognition, and how you plan to continue driving positive change through your involvement with MIT Solve?
Ans7): MIT Solve, as a competition for social impact innovation, selects startups each year that drive social change, providing a platform to the most promising social impact teams that will drive transformative change in the world.
We applied for the MIT Solve program, and upon being selected as one of the 40 solver teams of 2022, MIT provided us with a massive platform and connected us to organizations supporting inclusive education like GSR, and many others.
Our impact in India has been profound, with clear evidence of improved learning outcomes for students. MIT Solve's partnership with our mission has been invaluable, as they have always had faith in our mission and provided support through their unique evaluation and partnership approach. Additionally, we had signed contracts with the largest organization for the visually impaired in the world, APH. As of now, we have over 5,500 beneficiaries overall.
Q8): Your dynamic leadership has revolutionized the landscape of accessible education. What strategies or initiatives have Thinkerbell Labs implemented to ensure that its solutions are not only technologically advanced but also culturally sensitive and inclusive of diverse learning needs?
Ans8): One key strategy we have implemented is localizing content in different languages and accents, ensuring accessibility for people from all cultural backgrounds. Additionally, we work on a funder model where external funders support projects, many of which are located in tier 2 and 3 districts, as well as aspirational districts. This allows us to set up Annies, our educational devices, in the most remote parts of the world, including non-metropolitan cities.
Through this funder model, the end user, typically the student, can avail of the device for free, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all learners. These initiatives reflect our dedication to not only technological advancement but also cultural sensitivity and inclusivity in education.
Q9): Youâve been invited as a key speaker to prestigious events such as the Raisina Dialogue and the Kigali Global Dialogue. How do you leverage these platforms to advocate for the rights and inclusion of visually impaired individuals in the global discourse on education and technology?
Ans9): As CEO, being invited to prestigious events like the Raisina Dialogue and Kigali Global Dialogue allows me to advocate for the rights and inclusion of visually impaired individuals in global discussions on education and technology. At these events, I illuminate the pressing challenges and needs of the visually impaired while also forging connections with other leaders. Supported by my incredible team, we craft messaging that effectively communicates our advocacy goals. Together, we use these platforms to amplify the voices of visually impaired individuals and drive meaningful change in the global conversation on education and technology.
Q10): Sanskriti, your story has the power to inspire countless young women to pursue careers in mission-driven tech enterprises. What advice would you give to aspiring female entrepreneurs who are passionate about using technology to address social challenges and create a positive impact?
Ans10): For aspiring female entrepreneurs passionate about using technology to address social challenges and create positive impact, I draw inspiration from the legacy of Savitribai Phule, who, around 150 years ago, revolutionized literacy for women by starting the first schools.
Her dedication laid the foundation for women's education, empowering them to contribute to nation-building. Similarly, I encourage aspiring entrepreneurs to strive to create solutions that help a larger audience and those in need, as success and money will naturally follow. Follow your passion, but also ensure that your technology is designed for the future, leaving no one behind.
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