How Building a Startup at 20 Made Me a Better Developer

In my freshman year, I wanted to push beyond just coding classes and solving predefined problems. I wanted to design, build, and deploy something from scratch. Transitioning from a biology major to computer science, I sought a learning approach that was both practical and user-focused. Instead of starting with theoretical concepts, I identified a product idea aimed at addressing real user needs. This method involved deconstructing the desired features of the product, determining the necessary coding skills to implement them, and then acquiring those skills through targeted learning. By focusing on building a tangible product, I ensured that my coding education was directly aligned with creating solutions that people could effectively use.

That’s what led me to thingQbator, a platform designed to help young innovators turn ideas into real prototypes and businesses.

thingQbator started as an internal initiative at Cisco, aimed at giving engineers a space to experiment with IoT (Internet of Things) technologies. The idea was simple:

If you give people access to the right tools, resources, and mentorship, they’ll come up with solutions that no one person alone could think of.

It worked. The internal maker space model thrived, and Cisco decided to expand it to universities, enabling students to develop hardware and software prototypes, learn through hands-on experimentation, and potentially build viable startups.

That was the opportunity I had, one where I could explore technology in a real-world setting, rather than just in a classroom or on my own. It was a chance to go through the entire cycle of building a product:

1. Identifying a real problem that people face.
2. Prototyping solutions; starting with rough ideas and iterating based on user needs.
3. Understanding scalability; what works as a prototype doesn’t always work at scale.
4. Thinking beyond code - focusing on usability, reliability, and impact instead of just functionality.

This hands-on experience fundamentally changed how I approach software development. Instead of just writing efficient code, I started thinking about the user, the problem, and the long-term vision of what I was building.

For 1.5 years, Varuni H.K, my co-founder, and I went through every stage of building a startup:

The Process

1. Ideation – Identifying a meaningful problem and ensuring it wasn’t just interesting but also valuable to solve.?
2. Development – Building a functional prototype, testing it with users, and iterating on feedback.
3. Testing & Iteration – Learning quickly what worked and what didn’t, and improving the product based on actual user interaction.
4. Marketing & Positioning – Understanding how to present the product effectively, not just in terms of features but in terms of the impact it could create.
5. Pitching & Fundraising – Learning how to communicate the value of the product concisely to investors, industry experts, and potential customers.

In October 2021, Varuni and I initiated Project Roots intending to leverage our technical expertise and creative thinking to address the social stigmas associated with neurological health challenges among senior citizens. We collaborated with cognitive specialists from NIMHANS and various neurologists to validate our concept and gain an in-depth understanding of our target users. Engaging with patients and caregivers from numerous old age homes and care centers provided valuable insights and reinforced our commitment to the project.

Our solution aims to mitigate the onset of dementia in senior citizens by offering a personalized set of cognitive games designed to stimulate the mind and help maintain cognitive function. We believe that cognitive reinforcement and social bonding can address many issues faced by individuals aged 55 to 75.? By providing an all-in-one solution tailored to individual needs, Project Roots aims to make an impact in the field of senior care and alleviate the burden on caregivers.

This wasn’t a side project. It was a mini crash course in product development, business, and real-world problem-solving, long before I would have experienced any of this in a typical career trajectory.

Key Learnings from the Experience

?? You Build Merit in a National-Level Talent Pool Participating in a structured, high-stakes innovation program gives you credibility beyond coursework or personal projects. You compete and collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the country, which sharpens your skills and builds your network.

?? You Work on a Unique Project with Enterprise Value Unlike traditional student projects, where impact is limited, this was about building something that could scale. This distinction made my work stand out in interviews, as companies and hiring managers could see that I had already applied my technical skills in a high-impact setting.

?? You Learn Every Stage of Building, Earlier Than Most Many early-career developers don’t get exposure to ideation, product design, testing, and scaling until later in their jobs. I had already worked through these challenges before even stepping into the industry, giving me a head start in understanding the bigger picture of product development.

?? You Learn How to Pitch, Present, and Sell Ideas Being a great developer isn’t just about writing good code,it’s about communicating ideas clearly and persuasively. The ability to pitch your project translates directly into being able to sell yourself in job interviews, articulate your skills, and contribute meaningfully to any project or team.

?? Visibility is Your Currency The more you build and showcase your skills through active participation, the more doors open. I learned that visibility isn’t about self-promotion,it’s about demonstrating what you bring to the table. Making your work speak for yourself is a skill that I deeply value as your work attracts opportunities.

?? You Learn to Think on Your Feet & Build Fast One of the most valuable skills I gained was learning how to fail fast. Not every idea works. Not every prototype is perfect. But the faster you can test, learn, and pivot, the better your final product becomes.

?? You Build Meaningful Connections with Industry Leaders & Entrepreneurs Beyond technical growth, I had the chance to connect with founders, investors, and experts, people whose insights shaped the way I think about technology and business today. These relationships extended beyond the program and continue to offer guidance, mentorship, and opportunities.

Building something from scratch was not just about writing code,it was about proving that I could take an idea, execute it, and make it real. That distinction made a significant difference in standing out.

A Solid Project with Real Impact and Metrics

Having a functional product was just one part of the equation. To differentiate, the project needed to:

• Demonstrate real innovation by solving a tangible problem in a novel way
• Provide measurable impact through concrete metrics
• Ensure usability, making sure real users could and would adopt the solution

Understanding Ownership, Iteration, and the Broader Scope of Entrepreneurship

This process provided a comprehensive learning experience beyond technical development:

• Taking full ownership of a project from ideation to execution
• Iterating quickly based on user feedback and adapting in real-time
• Thinking beyond code to consider business viability and long-term sustainability

How It Helped in Interviews

Having this experience provided a clear advantage in technical and product-oriented interviews. Instead of listing skills, I could demonstrate:

• The ability to build and scale an idea into a functional product
• Problem-solving skills applied in real-world scenarios
• Critical thinking and execution under constraints
• The capability to take risks, adapt, and deliver impact

This was not just another project; it was proof of an ability to create solutions that extend beyond a prototype.

Raising Seed Funding

Securing ?5,55,555 in seed funding as college students was a key milestone. Beyond the financial aspect, it validated that the project had practical value, scalability, and investor confidence.

Understanding Unit Economics, Business Laws, and Financial Planning

Working on a startup provided early exposure to the fundamentals of financial and business strategy, including:

• Unit economics and profitability models
• Fundraising requirements and financial planning
• Business laws, compliance, and operational challenges

These are areas that many developers do not encounter until much later in their careers, making this experience particularly valuable.

Finding the Right Cofounder

One of the most significant takeaways was finding a cofounder who shared a similar vision and execution mindset. A strong cofounder is not just a collaborator but someone who:

• Encourages critical thinking and expansion of ideas
• Matches the ambition and commitment required to build and scale
• Bring complementary skills and perspectives to the project
• Becomes a long-term collaborator for future ventures

Having the right team dynamic is as critical as the product itself, as it directly influences execution speed, adaptability, and problem-solving efficiency.?

I was truly lucky to have hit the jackpot and found one of the most amazing co-founders who is incredibly smart, driven, ambitious, empathetic, and shares a passion for building for social good. I found my best friend in my co-founder, where we went collectively through so many challenges, core memories, and experiences that shaped us professionally and personally. One of the best wins was finding a person like Varuni who could be my co-founder, coauthor, co-creator, and a great collaborator who I continually learned so much from.?

Collaboration is where the magic happens, just like in music, where some of the most iconic tracks come from artists joining forces. Think Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar redefining "Bad Blood," Gracie Abrams bringing raw emotion to "Us," and Lana Del Rey’s hauntingly beautiful touch on "Snow on the Beach." Each of these collaborations brought out something unique, blending strengths to create something bigger than the sum of its parts.

In our collaboration, we experienced a similar dynamic. By leveraging our individual strengths and perspectives, we developed solutions that neither of us could have achieved alone. This partnership not only enhanced our project but also enriched our growth as developers and innovators.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of finding people who match your ambition and growth mindset, while also being open to challenges and learning new things. You become 100x better when you have a transfusion of ideas, and match your wavelength. They become your person who you then build more projects, and memories with.?

Recognition and Visibility

One of the most unexpected outcomes was being invited by Groww for a podcast interview on building and generating revenue as a college student. This level of recognition was only possible because of proactive participation in opportunities like this, reinforcing the importance of visibility in career growth.

Expanding the Work into Research and Publication

The project’s impact did not stop at a product. It is now evolving into formal research, which will be published in collaboration with my cofounder. This transition from startup execution to research-backed documentation allows for deeper insights into the technology, its applications, and its scalability.

Building with a Purpose

Beyond the technical and business aspects, the most meaningful part of the experience was seeing real users, senior citizens, benefit from the solution. Direct user feedback reinforced the importance of:

• Developing solutions that address real-world problems
• Ensuring accessibility and usability for diverse user groups
• Understanding that technology is valuable only when it translates into practical impact

This experience shaped a perspective that goes beyond code. It reinforced the importance of problem-first thinking, execution-oriented iteration, and long-term scalability when building technology-driven solutions.

Engaging in diverse projects during your college years fosters a generalist skill set, enabling you to explore various domains and understand the interconnectedness of different technologies. This broad exposure enhances adaptability and problem-solving abilities, allowing you to approach challenges from multiple perspectives. While specialists delve deep into a specific field, generalists gain a wide-ranging understanding, which is invaluable in the early stages of learning. This versatility not only broadens your knowledge base but also makes you more resilient in the face of evolving industry trends.

A key aspect of successful product development is user-centric design, which involves placing the user's needs and experiences at the forefront of the design process. This approach emphasizes iterative prototyping, allowing for continuous refinement based on user feedback. By focusing on creating solutions that address real user problems, you increase the likelihood of achieving product-market fit. Data plays a crucial role in this process; collecting and analyzing user data provides insights that inform design decisions, ensuring the final product resonates with its intended audience. This data-driven approach not only enhances usability but also aligns the product with market demands, leading to greater success.

Call to Action: Take the Leap

If you're looking to accelerate your learning beyond traditional coursework, here’s how you can get started:

1. Apply for Startup Incubators and Competitions

Programs like thingQbator, Y Combinator Startup School, and various university-led incubators offer the perfect launchpad to build and scale ideas. These programs provide mentorship, funding, and a structured approach to turning prototypes into real products.

• Cisco thingQbator
• Y Combinator Startup School
• MIT Solve Challenges

2. Participate in Hackathons

Hackathons give you the chance to prototype solutions quickly, collaborate with like-minded people, and gain hands-on experience in solving real problems. Some platforms to explore:

• Devpost – Find upcoming hackathons globally
• Major League Hacking (MLH) – Student hackathons and fellowships
• Hackathons on Kaggle – AI/ML-focused competitions

3. Build and Showcase Your Work

The more you build, document, and showcase, the higher your chances of finding opportunities. A few ways to do this:

• Write technical blogs on Hashnode or Dev.to
• Build proof of work with your projects on GitHub with proper documentation
• Engage with developer communities like Women in Data Science and Google Developer Groups (GDG)

The best way to grow as a developer is to put yourself in real-world, high-stakes environments. Start now, iterate fast, and refine your ability to build solutions that matter.