While developing an app for senior citizens a couple of years back, Aryan Nangia, a Class 12 student at Pathways School, Gurugram, hit a roadblock.
“I noticed that many of my friends and peers had great ideas for things they wanted to build, but they struggled with turning those ideas into reality. They found it challenging to move from the ideation stage to actually coding and implementing their concepts. Even after they built something, the hurdles didn’t end there — they faced issues with marketing, managing finances, and scaling their projects,” Aryan tells The Better India.
“I experienced all of this firsthand when I was working on my own projects in Classes 9 and 10, and it was a tough journey,” he adds.
For many teenagers, this is a common dilemma. A bright idea, paired with enthusiasm, often collides with the harsh reality of turning that idea into a tangible product. But rather than giving up, Aryan decided to confront these obstacles head-on.
Instead of letting these challenges derail him, he used them as the motivation to create something new: ‘LaunchPad’ — a free digital platform aimed at helping teenagers learn future-proof skills and build real-world projects.
The spark behind LaunchPad: A platform for young entrepreneurs
Aryan’s journey to LaunchPad began long before he set out to build his first website.
He traces his love for creation back to childhood, recalling how he used to make intricate origami figures when he was nine. As he grew older, he began to experiment with building websites and apps. By Classes 9 and 10, Aryan was fully immersed in the world of design and technology, fueled by the subjects that were offered through his school’s International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.
Through his experiences, Aryan discovered not only his passion for creation but also the significant challenges that came with it. While working on projects — like an app for senior citizens and a task management website for IB students — he faced numerous obstacles, particularly around the lack of resources that spoke to his requirement as a young creator. “I realised there was a gap in the resources available for people like me,” Aryan reflects.
“We needed content that was easy to understand, practical, and specifically designed to address the unique challenges we face when building something from scratch,” he shares. This realisation became the catalyst for LaunchPad, a platform created to fill that gap — empowering young people to navigate the complexities of ideation, development, and execution with confidence.
In July 2023, 15-year-old Aryan took the leap and started LaunchPad as a club at his school. What began as a small group of students learning how to build real-world projects soon expanded into a global initiative. Now, less than two years later, LaunchPad has scaled beyond a school club to a digital platform that serves students across 15 schools in five countries. Today, the team has expanded to a dynamic group of 15 to 20 young individuals.
LaunchPad’s mission is simple: to help students between the ages of 12 and 17 learn essential skills and gain hands-on experience in project development. But it’s not just about learning how to code or design. LaunchPad focuses on a wide range of future-proof skills that are vital in today’s fast-changing world. These include design thinking, artificial intelligence foundations, business fundamentals, storytelling and communication, and financial literacy.
“These are the skills that will be relevant no matter what career path students choose,” Aryan explains. “They’re the building blocks for anything they want to create in the future.”
Through interactive modules, videos, expert interviews, presentations, and quizzes, LaunchPad helps students learn these skills in a fun, engaging, and effective way. Each module includes a guided assignment, designed to help students build their first project step-by-step.
“For example, in the design thinking module, students are encouraged to explore their passions through exercises like the Ikigai exercise, which helps them find the overlap between what they love, what they’re good at, and what problems they can solve,” explains Aryan.
He emphasises that LaunchPad is designed to be accessible and engaging. “The content is designed for teenagers, so it’s not too overwhelming, but it’s also not too basic,” he says. “We want students to feel like they’re learning real, practical skills that they can apply at their workplace.”
Overcoming early challenges: Launching the platform
Building a platform like LaunchPad wasn’t without its challenges. One of the most significant hurdles Aryan faced was figuring out how to get approval for the idea and, more importantly, how to spark interest among students about the website. “When I first pitched the idea, I went from class to class, speaking with students and noting down their names,” he recalls.
He faced many of the same obstacles that any young entrepreneur faces when trying to build a community. He realised that in order to grow, he needed to find ways to increase the click-through rate on the website and boost user engagement.
“We started by experimenting with our marketing. I created Instagram reels and made posts for our LinkedIn page. That really helped us get the word out,” he shares.
Another challenge was the development of the platform itself. Aryan had limited experience with coding but made use of no-code platforms that allowed him to focus on the front-end design while his friends helped with the back-end coding. “I learned a lot along the way. But my friends really helped me fine-tune the website,” he adds.
Despite his perfectionist tendencies, Aryan knew the importance of launching before everything was perfect. “We delayed the launch by a month because I wanted everything to look just right. But eventually, we had to launch and just work on improving things based on feedback,” he admits.
As LaunchPad continued to grow, he understood that gathering feedback from users was essential to improving the platform. “One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been hearing from students who say that LaunchPad is something they’ve never experienced before,” says Aryan. “They’re learning skills that they wouldn’t have learned in school, and that’s what keeps me motivated.”
Rewarding impact: Students’ success stories
LaunchPad’s approach is also highly personalised. In addition to the course content, the platform offers mentorship, where students are paired with volunteers who guide them based on their interests. For example, a student interested in robotics might be connected with a volunteer who specialises in that area. “It’s really about providing first-hand advice and support during their project-building journey,” Aryan explains.
“Storytelling and communication teach you to introduce yourself properly, and it’s applicable everywhere,” says Armaan Mahajan, a 14-year-old student at Pathway School whose connection with LaunchPad has been transformative.
Armaan gained valuable skills in design thinking, business strategies, and problem-solving, which he applies across various fields. He highlights how the programme’s focus on soft skills, like storytelling and communication, has helped him present himself more effectively. “I’m working on developing skills that will help me identify the right career,” he adds, with a particular interest in finance and computer science.
Saira Dua, a 16-year-old student in the IB programme at Pathway School, Gurugram, is a passionate mental health advocate, podcaster, and a strong communicator. Reflecting on her journey with LaunchPad, she says, “The shift from being a student to a mentor has been a rewarding experience. It’s pretty awesome to now assign the same worksheets I once did as a student, it feels like coming full circle.”
During her time as a student, she learned valuable skills like design thinking, storytelling, and communication. “I’m a better speaker and writer today because of the storytelling and communication module,” she shares, noting how LaunchPad’s engaging presentations and activities helped her navigate complex concepts like public speaking and writing.
One concept that still resonates with her is Ikigai — the idea of finding purpose through the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, and what the world needs. “It feels amazing to connect with people and help them out,” she adds, emphasising the fulfilling nature of her mentorship.
Aaryaman (17), studying at Canadian International School, Bengaluru, is passionate about computer science and artificial intelligence. Currently in the IB programme, he codes in his free time and participates in hackathons. Aaryaman took on the role of Head of Technology for LaunchPad. Through this experience, Aaryaman learned new technical skills, particularly in backend development using WordPress.
He says it was difficult to design a website that is both user-friendly and visually appealing to a broader audience, but he felt a great sense of accomplishment when he saw the final result. “LaunchPad is a very promising project,” he concludes, recognising its potential for growth and impact.
Over time, Aryan envisions LaunchPad becoming a self-sustaining community. “The idea is that once students complete the course, they can choose to become mentors themselves and guide new students. In this way, the community grows and continues to help others,” he shares.
Today, LaunchPad serves students in over 15 schools and works with several NGOs to extend its impact. Aryan’s ultimate goal is to continue making the platform accessible to as many students as possible. “We want to ensure that no financial barriers stand in the way of students learning these essential skills,” says Aryan. “Everything we offer is completely free, and we hope to keep it that way.”
Future of LaunchPad
In the future, Aryan plans to expand the age range of the platform to cater to college students as well. “Many college students are also looking for that first experience with building something of their own, and we want to provide them with the tools and resources they need,” he explains.
LaunchPad’s impact is evident in the growing number of students who have created real-world projects — ranging from NGOs to apps and websites. As of today, over 300 students have used the platform to develop projects, and Aryan believes the true test will come when newer students continue to create innovative and impactful work.
Looking back on his journey, Aryan has learned valuable lessons that he is eager to share with other young aspiring entrepreneurs. “My biggest piece of advice is don’t be afraid to fail. The first iteration of anything you create is never going to be perfect. But once you put it out there and start getting feedback, you’ll improve each time. Don’t let the fear of failure stop you from launching,” he remarks.
He also encourages students to pursue what they love. “Sometimes, we overthink our ideas. The best projects often come from simple ideas that you’re passionate about. Focus on what excites you, and you’ll be amazed at what you can create,” he adds.
LaunchPad has come a long way since its humble beginnings, but Aryan’s vision remains the same — to help young people build real-world projects, learn valuable skills, and prepare for the future. “We want to equip students with the tools they need to succeed,” he reiterates.
As the website continues to grow, Aryan remains committed to the idea that the best way to learn is by doing. “At the end of the day, we’re a platform built by students, for students,” he says. “We want to make sure that every student who joins LaunchPad has the opportunity to build something they’re proud of and gain skills that will help them throughout their lives.”
Edited by Pranita Bhat; All photos courtesy Aryan Nangia
