Let's build a startup with a 13-year-old
and end the week!
Hey there,
Today, we’re not just talking startups or market trends. We’re spotlighting a 13-year-old who’s building something not to scale, users, but to save lives.
In a world obsessed with unicorns and IPOs, Surya Uthkarsha reminds us that real impact sometimes starts with a game.
Not Candy Crush but something that could crush the leading cause of death for kids on Indian roads.
Let’s get into it…
📌 The story of ‘Roadyz’
When Surya was just six, he was almost hit by a car on a busy Bangalore street. Scary, right? That moment left a deep mark on him.
As he got older, he started wondering why our roads are so dangerous for kids. And how can kids like him learn to stay safe?
Surya took those questions seriously.
In 2023, he joined a youth leadership program that really opened his eyes. He realized that road crashes are one of the biggest killers of kids aged 5-19 in India.
That’s when he decided he couldn’t just sit back, he had to do something.
He learned that kids don’t always love sitting through boring lectures or long talks about safety. So, Surya figured, why not teach kids through something they do love, and that’s games?
That’s how Roadyz was born.
It is an app where kids aged 5 to 14 can learn road rules by actually playing. They get to navigate real-life traffic scenarios in the game, practice crossing streets safely, wear helmets, and dodge traffic, all while earning points and unlocking cool gear.Surya wanted kids to feel like being safe is not just important, but also fun and something to be proud of.
📌 What happened next?
Of course, being 13 and pitching a startup isn’t simple. Surya has faced his share of doubts from adults who think he’s too young to pull this off.
But he’s determined.
He’s already raised a little money from crowdfunding and is looking for more support to reach his goal of ₹10 lakh to develop the app fully. His dad, a surgeon, helps him navigate the grown-up world of business, which sounds like the perfect tag team.
Surya hopes to launch Roadyz by early 2026 and wants to team up with schools so road safety becomes part of everyday learning.
And he’s thinking big, with nearly a billion kids worldwide who have smartphones, there’s huge potential to make a global impact.
📌 But there’s more…
And here’s a fun fact: Surya isn’t just about Roadyz. He also runs a dropshipping clothing business, started a global online debate club for youth, and co-founded a nonprofit for youth-led road safety campaigns.
Oh, and he’s still keeping up with schoolwork, basketball, and being a student leader.
Stories like Surya’s remind me that age is just a number. You don’t need to wait to be “ready” or “old enough” to start something meaningful.
Sometimes, the best ideas come from the youngest minds who see the world a little differently.
So, if you’re reading this and feeling stuck or unsure about your own projects, take a page from Surya’s book. Start where you are, with what you’ve got.
So, that’s it for today. If you enjoyed this edition, subscribe to hear from us every day!
See ya 👋
