Karnataka boy with no internet builds space startup working with NASA

Karnataka’s Awais Ahmed is now emerging as one of India’s leading young entrepreneurs. Recently, his startup, Pixxel, secured a NASA contract. tThe company he co-founded, will provide hyperspectral Earth-observation data to the civilian space agency. Interestingly, the 28-year-old CEO grew up in a quiet village where the internet had not reached many years. So, what bridged the gap between a small village and outer space? The answer began at home. Awais’s parents help nurture his curiosity with something more powerful than the web.A childhood shaped by booksAwais’s childhood tells a different story. Instead of relying on technology, his father invested in books. Recalling his childhood, Ahmed told The Hindu that his father, Nadeem Ahmed, who runs a pharmacy in Aldur, regularly bought him books on science. “I was fascinated by the solar system, nebulae and black holes. Those books sparked my curiosity about space,” he said. His mother, Ghazala Tashfeen, and father, encouraged their only child to pursue the field that fascinated him the most.His parents invested in curiosityAwais’s father Nadeem Ahmed also had vivid memories of his son’s childhood. “I took him regularly to Subbarao & Sons book stall in Chikkamagaluru once a week to buy books. He used to read a lot about science,” said the father who spent all his earnings on his son's education. The quiet sacrificesAs Awais grew older, his curiosity turned into ambition. “He worked hard. Only we, his parents, know how he prepared for his examinations. He used to study till 2 a.m., and get up early in the morning,” recalled Nadeem. Awais joined BITS Pilani, where he became involved in student-led engineering projects, including Team Anant, the university's satellite programme. “We were happy when he was selected by BITS Pilani, where he could pursue a dual degree. We took an education loan and, at one point, pledged gold to arrange money for his studies. Now, having witnessed his hard work, we feel proud of his achievement,” he said.Also, it was here that Awais met Kshitij Khandelwal, who would later become his co-founder. In 2019, Awais Ahmed and Kshitij Khandelwal co-founded Pixxel with the goal of building a constellation of hyperspectral satellites capable of capturing Earth in far greater detail than conventional satellites.Looking back, it is tempting to credit Awais's success to his engineering education or entrepreneurial instincts. But his parents believe the journey began much earlier- with a child's fascination for the universe and a steady stream of books that kept that curiosity alive.Looking for trusted parenting advice? Follow TOI Parenting Circle on Instagram for expert guidance, relatable stories, and practical tips delivered every day.