by: Diego Fernandez
media contact: Aaryn Richard
The Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is proud to announce that College of Engineering student entrepreneurs, Rajmeet Singh Chandok and Aman Dhruva Thamminana, are 2023’s Kelly A. Ford Technology Scholars. Chandok and Thamminana are co-founders of Odin Classroom, a startup within the Burgess Institute’s advanced Launch Program. Odin Classroom is a coding platform designed for students. The platform’s power is its user experience, which heightens student learning in computer science and coding. Chandok and Thamminana are recognized for their academic excellence and drive to innovate in the tech space.
Kelly Ford (Communications ‘94) established the scholarship in 2021 because of her passion for the Burgess Institute’s work. She wishes to support the next generation of Spartan entrepreneurs. The Kelly A. Ford Technology Scholarship is intended to encourage students who have demonstrated the capacity to set educational and professional goals, the motivation to achieve them, and the initiative to seek opportunities to further their startups’ progress. Both Chandok and Thamminana are awarded a scholarship of $5,000.
“I admire the work of the team at the Burgess Institute,” said Ford, “and I’m passionate about doing what I can to foster student success and the entrepreneurial spirit at Michigan State. Together, we’re strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Michigan, the Midwest, and beyond.”
Ford, a former tech industry executive turned general partner and chief operating officer at Edison Partners, is no stranger to promising innovators and their products. She recognizes Chandok and Thamminana as leaders in MSU’s innovation community.
Ford said that entrepreneurship and company-building are all about intersections and alignment between top talent and subject matter experts. “I look forward to seeing, and hopefully funding, more student ventures that leverage a broader base of university resources to advance and commercialize their ideas.”
Embarking on the Entrepreneurial Path
Chandok’s entrepreneurial path began during his first year at Michigan State when he became a Web/App Developer Intern at the Burgess Institute of Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Over the course of two years, he worked alongside fellow students’ ventures, helping them bring their visions to life. Chandok’s position in part inspired him to co-found his own venture, Odin Classroom. “Over the years, I have seen a lot of passion and creativity from the students, and I think that’s what inspired me to do something about this problem.”
Thamminana recognized Chandok’s involvement in the Burgess Institute, and it caught his interest. For Thamminana, the entrepreneurship community is a huge factor in his involvement. Although Thamminana’s foray into the startup world was significantly influenced by his ability to earn a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation, his instructors' mentorship and guidance ignited his passion for the entrepreneurial mindset.
"Fail early, fail often, but always fail forward" is a philosophy that resonates deeply with Chandok. He is a firm believer that entrepreneurship is not just about success but also about embracing failure as an opportunity for growth. Both Thamminana and Chandok recognize the unique opportunity the Burgess Institute provides them. Chandok mentions a safety net where even the riskiest endeavors hold valuable lessons, allowing for rapid growth.
“Sometimes, you have to get your hands dirty to really understand. I believe this experience will be one of those hands-on lessons, teaching me things I can't learn anywhere else,” says Thamminana.
Chandok and Thamminana's journey toward co-founding Odin Classroom started in the literal classroom as computer science students. They began their journey together when a platform used for their computer science courses, Mimir, was shut down and replaced with another program called Coding Rooms. From confusing user interfaces to exam crashes and assignment submission hiccups, Chandok and Thamminana felt compelled to address their newfound problems in the classroom. “We had experience as both teaching assistants and students, so we understood both sides of the issue,” said Chandok. This paired with their experience in software development garnered from various projects and internships, provided the necessary skill set to tackle the problem head-on.
Learning & Growing in an Entrepreneurial Community
As an intern and active participant in the program, Chandok became a bridge between student entrepreneurs and their aspirations. “I have always been someone who loves to help others, mentor people, and help them grow, and the opportunity to help network with other students and help them bring their ideas to life was something that was too hard to let go of.”
Chandok has collaborated with over ten student startups, mentored peers, and networked with hundreds of individuals. The bonds formed and experiences he gained shape his character and outlook.
Fostering the entrepreneurial mindset as a student offers invaluable advantages. It pushes individuals beyond their comfort zones, teaching them skills that extend beyond traditional classroom settings.
For Thamminana, overcoming stage fright has been a big win attributable to his entrepreneurial journey. This newfound strength significantly enhances his ability to present ideas with confidence, benefiting not only his entrepreneurial journey but also his academic and professional life.
A Mosaic of Perspectives
Chandok views entrepreneurship as its own world, with the entrepreneurial mindset serving as its compass. Failure is embraced as a learning opportunity within this world, and perpetual readiness for the next challenge is the norm. In this world, “uncertainty rules and you’ve got to learn how to go with the flow of it,” said Chandok.
Defining what it is that makes an entrepreneur an entrepreneur is a complex task. Given the diverse backgrounds of individuals entering this arena, there's no one-size-fits-all entrepreneur. While this may seem daunting to those seeking a fixed image of entrepreneurship, for Thamminana, this inherent diversity holds immense value.
“The nice thing about it being so broad is that anyone, and I mean anyone, can fill its shoes. It is not defined by industry, age, or where you come from but rather whether you’re willing to challenge the status quo.” It's an outlook that transcends boundaries and empowers anyone, regardless of their background, to effect positive change.
The Kelly A. Ford Scholarship: A Catalyst for Innovation
Rajmeet Singh Chandok and Aman Dhruva Thamminana are the proud recipients of the 2023 Kelly A. Ford Technology Scholarship.
For Chandok this scholarship signifies his impact on the community, a feat he is extremely proud of. “It motivates me to continue working hard, helping students and my peers, and making this the best place to be.”
For Thamminana, the Kelly A. Ford Scholarship holds immense meaning as a symbol of recognition of his entrepreneurial potential. As a student entrepreneur, financial support can alleviate the financial burden, allowing more time and energy to be directed towards a startup.
Chandok and Thamminana intend to continue their expansion of Odin Classroom. They envision taking this project beyond MSU, impacting colleges across Michigan and the United States. They intend to fund their venture by continuing to enter startup accelerators. The Kelly A. Ford Scholarship, coupled with the support of the Burgess Institute, provides the resources and validation needed to realize their ambitious goals.
At Michigan State University, the spirit of entrepreneurship burns brightly, empowering students like Chandok and Thamminana to create, innovate, and make a difference in the world. Their story is a testament to the transformative power of curiosity, hands-on experience, and the support of a community that fosters innovation.