Hi! If you’re new here, I’m a 19-year old design engineer, emerging tech enthusiast and founder. Currently, I’m building tech projects in the intersection of AI and emerging tech and am an astronomy enthusiast :) Previously, I’ve built an observatory in my back garden, was awarded a First Class Diploma in tabla by the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and won an International Finalist prize for Uber Global Hackathon.
One Step at a Time: Getting my US Visa
Near the beginning of the month, I’ve moved one step forward by getting my US Visa granted.
This will help me pursue my goals being physically in the US.
More news on this in a later article!…
Harvard Business Case Study
Later this month, learners at The Knowledge Society (TKS) and I had the immense privilege to undertake a one-of-a kind opportunity that I’ve never experienced before - all during a 3-hour sitting - the Harvard Business Case Study (HBS). It is incredibly rare for high school students to do a HBS case. The reason is because cases are difficult to deliver and they’re generally tough to tackle without training. The goal for this session was for us to get exposed to a new style of learning and really push our boundaries. In my mind: it was vibrant, energetic with a wonderful exchange of ideas.
In our case (which was looking into Starbucks China: Managing Growth Through Innovation), we were recommended going through everything before the session by my Program Director. This IS NOT something we could procrastinate for. We got out of it what we put into it. Some people dedicate their whole lives to get into HBS to get this level of training. If any of you are interested in doing this yourselves: try your best, put in the work and approach it with a good attitude.
Recommend carving out at least 3 hours of prep
I would also look at numbers and see what calculations you can do. “how can I use these numbers?”
pro tip: attention to detail (e.g. graph descriptions might be mixed up for all you know!)
Thought💭: I was having a discussion with my friend from TKS that it’s become the norm for us to work with such companies and institutions, yet prior to starting TKS these opportunities would be unimaginable for us.
Key takeaway:
Taking the unconventional route is the safe route; taking the conventional route is the risky one (because you’d never know what would’ve happened if you took the risks in the first place).
TKS Focus Hackathon: Devising an Innovative Solution from Scratch in 48 Hours
Earlier this month, I competed in an annual hackathon held by The Knowledge Society (TKS) where we used an emerging technology to create a solution for an important problem. Our problem statement given was: Create an innovative solution to a real problem using depth of knowledge from your emerging tech Focus topics that can be deployed in less than 3 years, and as we had only 48 hours (constraints breed resourcefulness!) and being the PM (Project Manager) of our team, I had the opportunity to set deadlines and co-ordinate meetings among other responsibilities. Luckily, I worked with some really cool and hardworking members from the program - which led us to being awarded the overall best creative solution and winning team for the TKS Focus Global Hackathon 2024!
The general overview of this project was a proposed solution in the intersection of AI and gene editing, with our target region being Nigeria. We came up with an AI-optimised tool for the genetic modification of a certain insect, engineered to combat the devastating impact of the deadly Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) in Nigeria. With a focus on sustainability and precision, it offers a method of disease management, helping to safeguard cassava yields and bolster food security for millions in agriculture-dependent communities. This solution bridges biotechnological advancements with agricultural practices, offering a transformative approach to protecting a staple crop vital to Nigeria's economy and most importantly, the lives and well-being of its population. We hope this project, if successful, will improve food insecurity and provide food to an additional 35 million people.
Shoutout to
, , and ! Once again, I truly could not have asked for more dedicated and professional team players during the hackathon - proud of us :)Given our excitement on working on this novel project we collectively care about, this project is still a WIP and something we’re pursuing, hence we’re keeping the slide deck and all the technical details under the wraps for now.
My key takeaways from this hackathon:
Great teamwork makes the dream work—I recognised this especially during this hackathon. Where you all get along, vibe together, communicate transparently and get s*it done
Don’t keep things until the last minute. Pressure indeed creates diamonds, but it’s better to have some leg room for any final adjustments before any deadline you’ve set or been set
The more you put in the more you get out. As a Project Manager especially, you should have team members that have the same level of dedication as you, if not higher.
In the spirit of the team win, I bought Cassava chips from the local vegetable market!
Snippets
Monthly favourites & media that I’m consuming
📖 Currently reading:
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
After having seen the movie, I thought of reading the book. What I found interesting is that the classical novella explores cycles of civilisation, where societies rise and fall over vast sands of time. The Time Traveller witnesses the degeneration of humanity into the Eloi and the Morlocks, which reflects a cycle of evolution and devolution. The future Earth he explores shows nature reclaiming civilisation after its decline, suggesting a cyclical process of growth, decay and renewal. The cyclical nature also serves as a commentary on the human condition and societal progress, questioning whether humanity is doomed to repeat its mistakes and whether the march of progress is truly linear or more circular, with history echoing itself across the ages. The work is most well known for the popularisation of the concept of time travel by using a vehicle or device to travel purposely and selectively forward or backward through time!
Super Founders by Ali Tamaseb
The book is packed with insights on data on founders, funding and the pivotal decisions that set the stage for extraordinary growth. It offers a rare glimpse into the early days of companies that have since become household names, providing entrepreneurs and investors alike with actionable lessons on navigating the complex terrain of the startup world. It’s a great collection of data-driven insights, making it an indispensable resource for anyone looking to understand the real factors that fuel startup success.
The Learning Game by Ana Lorena Fábrega
This not only uncovers shortcomings of traditional schooling but gives proactive steps that anyone can take for their learning. A particularly interesting part is the concept of gamification. Incorporating game-like elements into education can significantly enhance engagement and purpose among students. By turning learning into an interactive experience and navigate real-world problem scenarios, where students can earn points, achieve levels or undertake quests related to their subjects, we can tap into their innate desire to play and explore.
🎧 Podcast: Episode 6: Sam Altman (Unconfuse Me with Bill Gates)
🧠 Articles:
Canva’s 2-step plan to ‘do the most good we can’ (Melanie Perkins): The power of combining business innovation with a deep commitment to philanthropy. By offering their design platform to non-profits and investing in global welfare, Canva sets a remarkable example of how companies can contribute to impactful purposes.
Highs, lows & lessons learned during Canva’s journey so far: This by the same author teaches me about the value of resilience and purpose-driven leadership. Their pledge to donate the majority of their equity to social causes underlines a visionary approach to blending success with significant social contributions.
A message for those who feel they’re on the outside: A compelling collection that sparks infectious curiosity, encouraging deep thought and exploration across a wide array of subjects. In addition the essays above that I was given in TKS Velocity, this one is ideal for the perpetually curious who relish pondering the world's myriad mysteries.
Next Month
In March, my hackathon team and I are going to be developing the AI-optimised modified whiteflies project, I’m going to be releasing articles/videos on my latest projects and be competing in a 4 week-long Spring Challenge Sprint working alongside a surprise organisation (that you’ve heard of before 😉). See you then 👋
Josh Roy