Young innovators come together at Global Junicorn and AI Summit

The International Startup Foundation’s inaugural Global Junicorn and AI Summit was hosted at Texas State University by the McCoy College of Business May 29 and 30, 2025.

J. A. Chowdary is the founder and a mentor with the International Startup Foundation. A key architect and Indian tech industry founder, Chowdary co-designed Apple’s iPod chip, led NVIDIA India, was a founding director of STPI’s, and founded the EdTech startup Talentsprint.

The International Startup Foundation is designed to provide resources and mentorships to innovators to enhance India’s entrepreneurial landscape. Together the International Startup Foundation allows young innovators and entrepreneurs to network, connect, and grow their ideas.

Up until 2024 so far the International Startup Foundation has helped with over 50,000 startups. Alongside this the International Startup Foundation has had over 1,000 investors, 2,000 Top CEO’s, and 200 speakers.

The event allowed participants to gain insight on the future of technology and entrepreneurship by networking and sharing ideas. Participants interacted with leaders and innovators in the AI space.

Over the course of the two-day event, innovators came together to pitch their startup ideas and explore AI. The innovators ranged from ages 8 to 25 and were from India and the U.S.

The 50 innovators were chosen after a six-month long selection process in India as part of the Junicorn100k flagship initiative. The International Startup Foundation’s Junicorn100k is designed to empower 100,000 rural youth in contributing to problems, tackling challenges, and becoming innovators.

The Junicorn100k flagship initiative has had over 100,000 Junicorn innovators, 200 members, and 1,000 mentors across 10 states.

Prior to the first day, International Startup Foundation members and the young innovators were able to listen and ask questions to a student panel. The student panel was composed of students from Texas State University’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Chowdary gave a welcome address following the innovation song and lamp-lighting ceremony to open the event on the first day. Dean of McCoy College of Business Dr. Sanjay Ramchander gave a welcoming address as well.

The day continued on as the young innovators presented their innovations, solutions, and entrepreneurial ideas. The pitches covered a variety of topics from the environment to healthcare.

10 year old Nayan Adithya Tangutooru presented NGreen Tech, where children lead e-waste collection drives. Tangutooru’s goal is to recruit 100,000 members and collect 20 tons of e-waste.

Chinthala Hema Sai, 15 years old, presented Eco Bricks. Aiming to reduce pollution, the thermo-plastic bricks are made from brick power, fly ash, and waste plastic.

22 year old Sai Satyam Pradhan pitched his product, S.O.B.A.D.Y. With a goal of eliminating dependence on grid power, the self-optimized electric vehicle is designed to generate energy from motion, wind, solar, and road pressure. For regions without charging infrastructure, Pradhan used a smart AI system which will allow for real-time power optimization.

All the participants were declared a winner allowing them to gain mentorship and investments in the startup of their campaigns or products.

The second and final day honed in on the importance of AI during the Global AI Summit portion of the conference. Participants collaborated and heard from a variety of speakers who discussed the importance of AI and changes with its growing use.

For participants, the conference continued with further collaborations with innovators across Texas and visiting landmarks.

For more information or to find out how to get involved with the CIE, contact Teresa Quinn Valentine, Director for the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at quinn.valentine@txstate.edu 

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