Innovation in Education: Sameer's Journey as a Founder
Innovation in Education: Sameer's Journey as a Founder
As an esteemed educator, TEDx speaker, and mental health advocate, Sameer Ahmed has devoted his career to fostering positive change in the academic realm. He's the driving force behind HyggeX.
“HyggeX” is an ed-tech company that offers personalized learning, emotional support, and task management tools, transforming education into a seamless, empowering experience.
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur and start your own business?
My journey to entrepreneurship with HyggeX is deeply personal. Like many others, I have experienced the limitations and gaps in the conventional education system. As I transitioned from being a student to an educator, I found myself solving the very problems I once faced. Each day in the classroom was a step towards understanding and addressing the diverse needs of students.
I don't just see myself as an entrepreneur; I am still a teacher at heart, using HyggeX as a tool to solve problems for every student and bring practical, empathetic solutions to their learning challenges.
What was your biggest challenge as a startup founder, and how did you overcome it?
Facing challenges as a startup founder is a constant journey, but for me, the biggest hurdle was dealing with my doubts and my family's concerns. It's one thing to face business challenges, but it's another when it's about your own fears and those close to you questioning your path.
How did I tackle this? I dove into stories of startups - their failures and successes. This wasn't just theoretical; I put myself in their shoes, thinking through solutions. Regarding my parents, I never tried to sell them on the business idea. Instead, I reassured them of my love and commitment, pledging unwavering support as a son. My wife is my rock, providing invaluable support through the ups and downs, making her indispensable in my journey with HyggeX.
Can you share any exciting news or upcoming projects you are currently working on?
Oh yes, we've got something really cool coming up at HyggeX! In just about 20 days, we're rolling out our new adaptive notes, smart flashcards, and other awesome features. Can't wait for everyone to try them out and see the difference in their learning experience!
If your startup was a fictional character, what would it be and why?
Oh, imagine HyggeX as 'Rancho' from '3 Idiots'! Like him, we're all about shaking up the usual way of doing things in education. Rancho was always thinking out of the box, and that's exactly what we're doing at HyggeX – making learning fun, relatable, and something that really sticks with you. He was a game-changer in the movie, and that's what we aim to be in the ed-tech world.
How has Razorpay Rize helped you in your journey of being a founder?
In September last year, our Razorpay Rize application was rejected due to my absence from the selection process. Delegating to another director, Akshay, proved challenging, resulting in a missed opportunity.
This setback, coupled with a failed investor meeting, prompted us to reevaluate. We realized that we needed to work on our skills and reapply for the program. This time, the Razorpay interview was successful.
We are grateful to Razorpay Rise for providing us with the tools we needed to build our tech infrastructure, including MongoDB and GitHub Enterprise version, which saved us thousands of dollars. Although we have yet to try the mentorship feature, it will help us make the right decisions for our startup, Hyggex.
Find out more about Sameer and HyggeX
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