The 16-Year-Old Disruptor Behind a ₹100 Crore AI Startup: Meet Pranjali Awasthi

In an age where most teenagers are figuring out what stream to pick or which college to attend, Pranjali Awasthi has already built what’s next.

At just 16, she’s the founder of Delv.AI, an AI-powered startup that’s shaking up the tech space with precision, clarity, and confidence. What started as a bold idea has now transformed into a company valued at over ₹100 crore ($12M) and backed by more than ₹30 crore in funding a feat that would be impressive for even the most seasoned entrepreneurs.

But Pranjali is not just impressive because of the numbers. She’s become a symbol of what the new-age Indian startup ecosystem represents: youth-led innovation, fearless disruption, and limitless ambition.

The Spark Behind the Code

Born in India and raised in Florida, USA, Pranjali’s journey into tech started early. With a father who worked in computer science, she was introduced to coding at the age of 7. What began as curiosity soon evolved into passion and by 13, she was already interning at a university research lab, diving deep into machine learning and artificial intelligence projects.

During this phase, she noticed a key problem researchers often face: extracting useful data from the overwhelming clutter online. The idea of creating a solution that could simplify this process laid the foundation for Delv.AI.

What is Delv.AI?

At its core, Delv.AI is an AI-powered research assistant, a tool designed to help users extract structured data from complex documents and web content. Think of it as a solution that cuts through the noise and brings you only what matters faster, smarter, and cleaner.

This is particularly powerful in an age where data is exploding and AI-driven productivity tools are in high demand. Delv.AI fits right into the growing market for AI in research, natural language processing (NLP), and automated data curation.

From Idea to Investment

With the help of startup incubator Backend Capital, Pranjali participated in HF0, a residency program for top technical founders. This gave her the network, mentorship, and exposure needed to shape Delv.AI into a venture-ready business.

Soon after, the startup began gaining traction. Investors saw potential not just in the product, but in the clarity and conviction with which Pranjali was building it. Today, Delv.AI has raised over $450,000 in seed funding, and the valuation speaks volumes about the confidence the industry has in her vision.

What Sets Pranjali Apart?

It’s easy to be impressed by the numbers of funding, valuation and media attention. But the real standout factor is her mindset. At 16, Pranjali has already made key decisions most founders struggle with even in their 30s: delaying college to build full-time, hiring tech talent, raising funds, building product-market fit and doing it all in one of the most competitive industries in the world.

This level of focus, technical clarity, and leadership is rare and it’s what makes her story so compelling.

Challenges on the Path

Of course, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Balancing academics and startup life is never easy, especially when you’re still in high school. But Pranjali has handled this with the maturity of a seasoned entrepreneur. After completing school in 2023, she chose to pause college plans for now and dedicate herself completely to Delv.AI.

This bold move is a reflection of the kind of risk-taking DNA we’re beginning to see more and more in the Indian startup space, especially among Gen Z founders.

A Glimpse of India’s Startup Future

Pranjali Awasthi’s story is more than a success story; it’s a sign of where the future is headed. Young founders, high-impact tech ideas, AI-led disruption, and a global-first mindset. She represents a generation that isn’t waiting for permission or the “right age” they’re just building.

And in doing so, they’re redefining what Indian entrepreneurship looks like on the global stage.

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