(EMERALD) Tech Innovators of America (TIOA) is a force to be reckoned with, especially given that its members are under 18.
Co-founders Arjun Mahajan and Sathya Ganesan, along with five board members and volunteer staff, prove the cliche saying, "Youth is Wasted on the Young." On the contrary, the group of Emerald High School teenagers uses their youth to their advantage, demonstrating excellent leadership skills when other adolescents are, in fact, wasting the fleeting season of life by playing video games rather than learning to code, as TIOA teaches its members.
The non-profit's work ethic and passion for technological change in their generation is evident in the more than hour-long OpGov.ai interview with the co-founders and secretary Tobi Ojomu this week.
When talking about the teen start-up, Mahajan’s excitement is contagious, making even non-technical people interested.
The group’s ambitious mission is to establish multiple chapters nationwide, creating a wave of interest in technology and engineering among teenagers. The group already has a chapter in another Utah, made possible by Mahajan’s connections. Even at a young age, the co-founder knows how to use all available resources to achieve success.
Arjun Mahajan, co-founder of Tech Innovators of America (TOIA), interviews with OpGov.ai
“They are from some of my connections from previous schools I used to attend,” Mahajan said over Zoom. “I used to live in Utah for a few years, so we kind of spread the word and initiative amongst our relatives, our friends.”
Locally, TIOA is securing student-led chapters in the Bay Area.
“A few of them are yet to get started,” Mahajan said. “One is near Mountain View, and we have another chapter in San Leandro.”
While Manahan assists other adolescents in founding non-profit chapters, co-founder Ganesan is behind the scenes working on the group's marketing. As a OpGov.ai volunteer, Ganesan pursuded in an interview with the news outlet in order to get the word out about the local chapter and nationwide reach for more members.
Sathya Ganesan, co-founder of Tech Innovators of America (TOIA), interviews with OpGov.ai
“I thought it resonated quite well with how we both want to kind of engage with the community, though kind of different things, TIOA and OpGov.ai can work together,” Ganesan said.
Needless to say, rapid growth calls for a strong group secretary, as seen in Ojomu, the group secretary, who displays an altruistic motive for serving.
“I joined TIOA to also bring more technology to people who aren't fortunate enough to expand their knowledge," Ojomu said. "I want to help those in need."
TOIA officially introduced itself to the public at the Stone Ridge Mall event in Pleaston, seeing immediate results.
TIOA officially introduces itself to public at Stone Ridge Mall in Pleasanton.
"We were able to get a connection to someone who was able to start a chapter there," Mahajan said, of the event that featured a robotic arm, a TIOA-created wooden challenge, and a 3-D printed White House. "So it's just been happening through word of mouth, and just connections."
As if TIOA is not growing fast enough, the co-founders want more for all the right reasons.
"We haven't launched this initiative yet, but we want to help students in their local science fairs," Mahajan said, adding the Alameda County Science and Engineering Fair is on the group's radar.
While reaching the masses, the humble start-up wants to keep a intimiate initivate, offering a mentorship program for all new chapter founders, setting up every member up for success.
Stone Ridge Mall TIOA event draws attention to new local start-up
If you would like to know more about TIOA, please email arjun@tioainspires.org.
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