From High School Interns to Students at Top Universities
What happens when a high school internship becomes more than a short-term experience?
At iStart Valley, many students begin their journey as high school interns, working on entrepreneurship, technology, innovation, leadership, and real-world problem solving. For some, that journey continues beyond the internship through the Youth Executive Committee (YEC), where alumni take on leadership responsibilities, collaborate with other young innovators, interact with entrepreneurs and industry experts, and continue contributing to the iStart Valley community.
Today, several of these former interns are heading to some of the most recognized universities in the United States.
Our YEC alumni have earned admission to institutions including Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell University, the University of California Berkeley, the University of Pennsylvania, Purdue University, Georgia Tech, UNC Chapel Hill, New York University, Texas A&M University, and Rutgers University.
These students represent different interests, backgrounds, and career aspirations, but they share a common thread: they began developing their leadership, entrepreneurial thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills while they were still in high school.
The iStart Valley High School Internship is designed to give students hands-on exposure to business and technology while connecting them with peers, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry experts.
Meet the iStartValley YEC Alumni Heading to Top U.S. Universities
1. Shriya Bandla — Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
Shriya Bandla, President of the Youth Executive Committee, has built an impressive record in STEM research, leadership, entrepreneurship, and community service. She has earned top placements at science competitions, conducted research through Cubes in Space, and had a student experiment launched aboard a NASA rocket.
As President of the YEC, Shriya has also led STEM outreach initiatives, hackathons, and youth-focused projects. Her journey represents how an internship experience can evolve into sustained leadership and community impact.
Shriya is headed to Carnegie Mellon University, a leading U.S. institution known for its strengths in technology, computer science, engineering, and innovation. Her profile reflects the interdisciplinary mindset encouraged through her work with iStart Valley.
2. Sahana Venkatesh — Cornell University (Cornell)
Sahana Venkatesh, Vice President of the Youth Executive Committee, combines business leadership, entrepreneurship, and service. As a leader in FBLA and DECA, she has earned national and state-level recognition while pursuing business management through the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
Her iStart Valley experience included startup development and global competition exposure, eventually leading to her role as Vice President of the YEC.
Sahana is heading to Cornell University, continuing her journey at one of the United States' most respected universities.
3. Tanvee Sethi — University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Tanvee Sethi began her iStart Valley journey through the Entrepreneurship Internship and went on to earn significant community service recognition while leading her startup team.
Her team, HaloScan, won first place in its pitch competition and advanced through the Global Semifinals and Finals, where it was recognized as The Most Innovative Start-up.
Today, Tanvee serves as a YEC Vice President, bringing her experience in entrepreneurship, leadership, DECA, and community service to the organization.
She will continue her academic journey at the University of California, Berkeley, one of the nation's leading public research universities.
4. Deeksha Rajesh — University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), Wharton
Deeksha Rajesh has pursued the intersection of business, science, leadership, and service. She has competed at FBLA Nationals, earned recognition in science competitions, and held leadership positions in Science Olympiad, FBLA, and Key Club.
Her iStart Valley journey included participation in Congressional Debate, the High School Internship, and AI and Data Science programming, where she earned first-place recognition.
As the Co-President of the Youth Innovation Council, Deeksha is heading to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, one of the world's leading undergraduate business programs.
5. Ruhi Desai — Purdue University (Purdue)
Ruhi Desai, Co-President of the Youth Innovation Council, combines STEM, robotics, leadership, music, and community service. She has served as a VEX Robotics team captain, participated in multiple academic honor societies, and taken on leadership roles through Scouts BSA and her school community.
Her experience with iStart Valley has further developed her interest in innovation, technology, and youth leadership.
Ruhi will attend Purdue University, continuing her academic journey in an environment recognized for engineering, technology, and innovation.
6. Ela Adhikari — University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
Ela Adhikari has developed a strong interest in artificial intelligence and medicine. Her research has explored potential bias in AI-based skin cancer detection and the importance of representative data in medical technology.
She has also developed a medical chatbot and presented her work at MIT. Beyond research, Ela has demonstrated leadership through her Red Cross involvement and community service.
As a Youth Innovation Council Director, she has continued supporting the next generation of iStart Valley innovators.
Ela is heading to the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, where she will continue exploring the intersection of technology, science, and impact.
7. Karthick Govindaraj — Georgia Tech
Karthick Govindaraj is a longtime member of the iStart Valley Youth Innovation Council and currently serves as a Senior Director.
With a background in electrical and computer engineering, robotics, programming, STEM education, and community service, Karthick has accumulated extensive experience beyond the classroom. He has also contributed hundreds of volunteer hours and mentored younger students.
Karthick will attend Georgia Tech, continuing his path in engineering, technology, and innovation.
8. Tanush Bhatia — New York University (NYU)
Tanush Bhatia has combined technology, entrepreneurship, research, and leadership throughout his high school career. He has conducted research involving genomics and AI, founded Code4Good, built websites for organizations, and led technology initiatives.
He began his iStart Valley journey as an intern, earned service recognition, and later joined the YEC, where he now serves as Head of Technology.
Tanush will attend New York University, continuing to build on his interests in technology and innovation.
9. Karthik Ancha — UNC Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill)
Karthik Ancha has developed an interdisciplinary profile spanning technology, finance, entrepreneurship, science, and public service.
His accomplishments include winning technology and science competitions, earning recognition in business ethics, participating in startup programs, and leading community initiatives focused on educational access and financial literacy.
Karthik is heading to UNC Chapel Hill, where he will continue developing his interests in innovation and business strategy.
10. Aveer Chadha — Cornell University (Cornell)
Aveer Chadha is an entrepreneur, researcher, and community leader whose interests span AI, economics, business, and social impact.
He founded a nonprofit focused on education, co-founded an AI and ML company addressing environmental challenges, conducted economic research, and earned recognition in entrepreneurship competitions.
Aveer will join Cornell University, bringing with him an extensive record of entrepreneurial and leadership experiences.
11. Sanjit Vinodanandan — Texas A&M University (Texas A&M)
Sanjit Vinodanandan developed his interests in business and technology through academics, entrepreneurship, athletics, and leadership.
During his iStart Valley experience, his team placed third in the startup pitch competition. His journey continued through the YEC, where he has contributed to innovation-focused initiatives.
Sanjit will attend Texas A&M University, continuing to develop his interests in business, technology, and entrepreneurship.
12. Neil Joshi — Rutgers University (Rutgers)
Neil Joshi combines entrepreneurship, marketing, communications, and content creation. He has worked on student media initiatives, digital marketing projects, podcast production, and DECA activities.
After completing the iStart Valley Summer Startup Internship, Neil joined the Youth Executive Committee, where he contributes to content initiatives and business-related writing.
He will attend Rutgers University, continuing his academic and professional journey in business and communications.
Your Internship Can Be the Beginning of Something Bigger
For these students, the value of an iStart Valley experience extends beyond completing an internship.
The High School Internship provides students with opportunities to work on real-world entrepreneurial projects, collaborate with peers across the United States, develop business models, explore emerging technologies, and interact with business leaders, young entrepreneurs, and industry experts.
Students who successfully complete the program can also become eligible to apply for the Youth Executive Committee, creating a potential pathway from intern to long-term youth leader within the iStart Valley ecosystem.
That continued connection matters.
Instead of simply adding one internship to a résumé, students can build relationships with fellow innovators, stay connected to mentors and industry professionals, take on leadership responsibilities, and continue contributing to an entrepreneurial community.
Start Your Journey with the Spring 2027 High School Internship
The next generation of innovators is already building its story.
If you are a high school student in the United States interested in entrepreneurship, technology, STEM, business, innovation, or leadership, the iStart Valley Spring High School Internship 2027 can be an opportunity to gain practical experience while building relationships that can extend well beyond the internship itself.
The five-month program begins January 23, 2027, and runs through May 1, 2027. Students from across the United States can collaborate remotely while gaining exposure to entrepreneurship, emerging technologies, design thinking, market research, startup development, and business strategy.
Applications are due by November 27, 2026.
Ready to build your own journey?
Apply for the iStart Valley Spring High School Internship 2027:
Apply for Spring Internship 2027
Learn more about the iStart Valley High School Internship:
High School Internship Program
Your internship can be more than an experience. It can be the beginning of a network, a leadership journey, and a community that continues with you into college and beyond.