In a small Tamil Nadu village, a young boy slips on a VR headset. Suddenly, his simple classroom transforms into a futuristic world of coding simulations and immersive experiences. This isn’t just a rare moment of wonder—it’s the reality created by Harshini Kishore Singh, a 22-year-old entrepreneur from Madurai, determined to bridge the digital divide for underprivileged children.
Through Rural Tech Rise, Harshini is introducing virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship to rural students—empowering them with skills that once seemed out of reach. And she’s doing it all while working night shifts in the IT sector to fund her mission.
From a Teenage Entrepreneur to a Changemaker
Harshini’s entrepreneurial spirit sparked early. At 16, she started a corporate gifting business and even personally delivered 100 Diwali gift boxes during the pandemic. Though her first venture failed, it led her to study BBA in Entrepreneurship at Jain University, Bengaluru, where her perspective shifted.
“At first, business was just about profits for me,” she admits. But volunteering with Teach for India, working with underprivileged children, changed everything. “Many had no parents, no homes. That experience made me see the deep gaps in Indian education.”
Determined to make a difference, she used her savings from various jobs—including a stint at Google Operations Centre, where she was the youngest employee at 18 earning ₹9 LPA—to fund her mission.
Fighting Cybercrime with DigiSafe
As cyber threats grew, Harshini joined DigiSafe, a cybersecurity awareness initiative founded by her sister, Sushmitha Kishore Singh. Becoming a certified Cyber Crime Intervention Officer, she began teaching school children how to stay safe online.
“During sessions, kids admitted to sending inappropriate pictures, only to have them misused. We worked with ISAC (Information Sharing and Analysis Centre) to resolve such cases and turn them into lessons,” she shares.
When Sushmitha moved abroad, Harshini took full charge of DigiSafe, successfully leading projects like creating 100 cybersecurity awareness videos for CBSE schools.
The Birth of Rural Tech Rise
While running DigiSafe, Harshini realized that rural children lacked access to even basic technology. That led her to launch Rural Tech Rise in 2024, bringing digital literacy and entrepreneurship training to rural students.
“We take VR headsets to schools, donated by an Australian university, so kids can experience technology hands-on,” she says. Unlike traditional teaching, her team develops its own curriculum in regional languages, making tech education accessible to those with limited schooling.
Shaping Young Entrepreneurs
Harshini doesn’t just teach tech—she’s changing how kids see their future. Instead of just aiming for jobs, they learn to think like entrepreneurs.
Her Shark Tank-style pitching competition, launched in 2024 in Sholavandhan, Madurai, has kids presenting business ideas for cash prizes.
Her core team of 10 members consists of students from Classes 7 to 9, whom she personally trained to start their own ventures.
Take Dharun, a 13-year-old who loved magic. “Before the session, I just wanted to perform tricks. But Harshini ma’am helped me turn it into Magic Net, where I use magic to teach science.” Today, he has taught 40+ children through his unique approach.
Overcoming Challenges and Scaling Up
Gaining community trust has been tough. “Many thought we were just after publicity,” Harshini admits. Registering the initiative helped build credibility.
Another hurdle? Limited resources. With self-funding, school visits are restricted to twice a month. To sustain the mission, Harshini works night shifts at Bright Champ, an EdTech company, counseling students on financial literacy.
“I work at night to fund my morning social work,” she says.
Her dedication has paid off—over 5,000 children across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have benefitted from her four ventures.
Looking Ahead
Harshini’s long-term vision is ambitious yet clear:
Provide scholarships for quality education
Expand her team to at least 100 members
Form global partnerships to scale impact
“If everyone takes care of their community, no child in India will be left behind,” she says.
At just 22, Harshini is proving that passion and persistence can rewrite futures. She’s not just teaching kids how to use technology—she’s showing them how to dream bigger.