Tech Talks Meet Two Teenage Leaders Who Will Restore Your Faith in Humanity (We Aren't Kidding)!
Nov 12, 2025
Join Raya Mardani, a 15-year-old founder from Toronto developing a smart period-pain belt, and Aarav Sharma, a 16-year-old innovator creating a thought-controlled prosthetic arm. They share their inspirations and experiences presenting at the Web Summit, emphasizing the importance of youth voices in tech. Discover how they tackle age bias in pitches and their views on mentorship. Both highlight the importance of passion-driven projects and the growing focus on sustainability in startups, proving that Gen Z is ready to lead the change!
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Personal Catalysts For Their Projects
- Raya built Oviva after personal experience with severe period pain and wanted a slim belt using TENS to release endorphins.
- Aarav started a prosthetic arm project after visiting Singapore Enable and speaking with paralytic patients about independence.
Youth Grants Freedom To Experiment
- Youth can focus on passion projects because they have fewer immediate financial pressures and more time to experiment.
- That freedom produces authentic, risk-taking founders who pursue untraditional paths like startups.
Build Relationships, Not One-Off Asks
- Nurture long-term relationships with older professionals by connecting now and keeping in touch for future support.
- Seek their advice and learn from their startup or corporate experience to navigate early-stage choices.