Learn from our community entrepreneurs! In this interview, Jai Mansukhani shares the story of building and growingAce It, located in Toronto , Ontario , Canada
Hi! Tell us about your business and what problem are you solving?
We're Ace It, an educational technology business focused on making learning more engaging and personalized. The problem we're addressing is the disconnect between traditional methods of education and the unique ways each individual learns. We know that one-size-fits-all teaching often leaves students feeling unengaged or misunderstood.
To solve this, we've created an interactive learning platform that uses artificial intelligence to adapt to each user's learning style and pace. This means that whether a student prefers learning through visuals, audio, or text, our platform can cater to them. We also use AI to help identify areas where a student might need extra help, making learning more efficient.
Our new generative AI model quizzy, can also help students by generating flashcards in 30 seconds or less on any topic they want to study.
In short, we're making learning more personalized, more engaging, and more effective for every student. We're giving them the tools to ace it!
What's your backstory and how did you come up with the idea?
My co-founder Pashan and I have known each other for over 8 years now. We first met in high school, where we both shared a passion for technology and entrepreneurship. Our common interests brought us together to enter a STEM competition in 10th grade to build a functioning robotic hand for people with accessibility issues out of recycled materials. We took classes together, and in our linear algebra class, we saw firsthand that this one-size-fits-all approach to teaching was ineffective and nonsensical, leaving countless students, including us feeling frustrated and disengaged, this is where we realized we wanted to build a product in the Ed-tech space that focused on delivering an experience that was not compromising for a student.
How do you motivate yourself to keep going every day?
To stay motivated each day, I remind myself of the mission we're on – to revolutionize education and make learning more engaging and personalized for students all around the world. Every time a student smiles because they've mastered a difficult concept through Ace It or a parent tells us how much their child loves learning with Quizzy, it fuels our motivation to keep going. We're not just building a business, but we're contributing to shaping the future of education. That's a cause worth getting up for every day.
What's your one biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
One of my most significant accomplishments as a business owner has been seeing people use and enjoy our product. Nothing compares to the joy of receiving positive feedback on Quizzy, our AI tool and realizing the impact we're making on learners' lives. Additionally, being able to gather and lead a team of dedicated, brilliant students who are as passionate about transforming education as we are has been a truly rewarding experience.
What’s your one biggest challenge you face and how do you overcome it?
Our biggest challenge has been managing the dual aspects of scaling our innovative technology and business model while also being student founders. It's a unique situation that requires a delicate balancing act between academic responsibilities and entrepreneurial endeavors.
We're overcoming this challenge in several ways. On the technological front, we're continually refining and optimizing our systems, investing in scalable technology, and applying insights from user feedback to ensure our product meets the needs of our users as we grow.
As student founders, time management and prioritization have been crucial. We've had to be extremely disciplined and efficient, often working around academic schedules and leveraging every spare moment. It's not easy, but our passion for Ace It and its potential to transform education fuels us.
We also acknowledge the need for more support for student entrepreneurs and actively seek out mentorship, networks, and resources designed for young people
What are your hiring strategies to build a successful business?
When it comes to hiring, we prioritize alignment with our company's vision and values above all else. We are a mission-driven company aiming to transform education, so we seek individuals who share our passion for making a positive social impact.
Beyond this, we value a growth mindset, curiosity, and a willingness to innovate. In a rapidly evolving sector like edtech, it's essential to have a team that is adaptable and continuously learning. We seek individuals who can not only adapt to change but also drive it.
Additionally, we focus on diversity, recognizing that a variety of perspectives and experiences fuels innovation and problem-solving. We strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and can contribute to their full potential.
Finally, we believe in fostering a culture of empowerment, where everyone on the team is encouraged to take ownership and make decisions. We want our team members to feel like they are not just employees, but also founders
To anyone looking to start or grow a business today, what three tips would you give them?
1. Don't be scared if someone tells you that you can't do it, just prove them wrong in silence
2. Don't be worried to take that first step, keep building something you care about if it doesn't work out try again
3. Validate Early and Often: Before investing significant resources into your business, validate your idea with your target market. This can save you from heading down a path that your customers aren't interested in.