At Just 15, This Teen Is Helping Seniors Across America Go Digital
Not-for-Profit
USA
15 Years
I’m Aadi Kulkarni, a high school student from New Hampshire with a passion for technology and social impact. I founded TechPals in 2022 after noticing how many elderly community members struggled with basic tech tasks—like sending emails or using video calls.
TechPals is now a student-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit with over 500 volunteers across seven states. We host digital literacy workshops in elderly homes and libraries to bridge the digital divide for seniors.
"My grandfather taught me about life, I taught him how to email. That simple act of connection between two generations became the heart of our entire mission at TechPals."
What inspired you to start your own business?
My inspiration came from watching my grandfather struggle with smartphones and email. Helping him sparked a realization: this wasn’t just his challenge—it was a widespread issue. I wanted to flip the script. Just as he once taught me life skills, I could teach him tech skills. That intergenerational exchange became the heart of TechPals.
How did you get your first customers?
We started by partnering with local senior homes and libraries. I cold-emailed directors, introduced our mission, and offered a free pilot workshop. Word-of-mouth referrals and community events helped us grow. We also built a website (techpals.io) and use Instagram and email newsletters to reach new chapters and partners.
How are you doing today and what are your future plans?
Today, TechPals is thriving—we’ve raised over $15,000 in grants and donations, hosted 75+ workshops, and launched nine national chapters. Looking ahead, we’re launching a podcast with nonprofit founders, expanding to international chapters, and developing a curriculum to standardize digital literacy training across partner sites.
What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve learned about entrepreneurship?
One of the most surprising lessons has been the power of storytelling. I thought success would come solely from logistics and programming. But I’ve learned that sharing an authentic narrative—why we care, what our impact is—can open doors, inspire donors, and attract passionate volunteers more than any stat sheet ever could.
