From Early Fascination to Tech Entrepreneurship
For individuals driven by a passion for creation, challenges often serve as stepping stones rather than obstacles. Pranjali Awasthi’s journey into the world of technology began at the tender age of seven, introduced to computer science by her father, an engineer who advocated for its integration into school curricula alongside other subjects.
Accelerated Learning and Early Research
By eleven, her family’s relocation to Florida coincided with a surge in her curiosity for computer science courses and competitive mathematics. At thirteen, she was already interning in university research labs at Florida International University, immersing herself in machine learning projects. The onset of the pandemic saw her high school education transition to a virtual format, allowing her to dedicate more time to her research endeavors.
Awasthi committed twenty hours weekly to her internship, focusing on research, data extraction, and literature reviews. Reflecting on the landscape of information retrieval, she noted, “In 2020, OpenAI released its ChatGPT-3 beta, and I knew we could use it to make extracting and summarising research data easier.” Her firsthand experience as a research intern highlighted the inefficiencies of traditional search engines in pinpointing precise information. This realization sparked the foundational idea for her future company.
Incubator Support and Startup Launch
In 2021, Awasthi participated in Miami Hack Week, where she connected with Lucy Guo and Dave Fontenot, partners at Backend Capital. These entrepreneurs also established HFO residency, a live-in startup accelerator based in San Francisco and Miami. She was accepted into their 12-week program, offering a small equity stake in her nascent company in return for their support. “My parents told me I should take the opportunity – the network alone would be worth it, so I took an absence from high school. The residency paid for me to commute back and forth to the house via Uber every day,” she shared.
During this period, at just fifteen years old, she launched the beta version of Delv.AI on Product Hunt, a platform for sharing software. Her project garnered significant attention on Demo Day, leading to her first investment from On Deck and Village Global. Subsequently, she secured $45,000 in funding from various investors. Today, her company boasts a valuation nearing ₹100 crore, positioning her as one of the youngest founders to lead a rapidly expanding artificial intelligence startup.
Academic Pursuits and Further Ventures
Concurrently, Awasthi pursued and completed her Bachelor of Science degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology. In March 2025, she co-founded Salshy, an AI-powered email assistant and automation platform designed to function as a comprehensive digital executive assistant, often described as a “ChatGPT with hands.”
Navigating the Entrepreneurial Landscape
Awasthi observed a dual reception as a young founder. “We’re dealing with a flood of new AI products – the competition is insane. In 2021, in Miami, everyone was talking about crypto. By the end of 2022, that had changed completely to AI,” she remarked in a 2023 interview. While many were inclined to offer guidance and support, she also encountered individuals who underestimated her capabilities. Her current objective remains focused on continuous innovation and simplifying everyday life through technology.
The rapid evolution of the tech industry, from the crypto fervor of 2021 to the current AI boom, underscores the dynamic nature of innovation. This shift highlights the increasing demand for intelligent automation solutions that can enhance productivity and streamline complex tasks. The emergence of platforms like Delv.AI and Salshy, driven by young innovators, points towards a future where sophisticated AI tools become increasingly accessible for both professional and personal use, thereby reducing friction in daily workflows and fostering greater efficiency.
