From School Dropout to Climate Tech Founder: The Inspiring Success Story of Angad Daryani
Most successful entrepreneurs follow a familiar path—finish school, earn a college degree, gain industry experience, and eventually start a company.
Angad Daryani chose a completely different route.
Instead of following a traditional academic path, he left school at a young age to pursue hands-on learning. His passion for engineering, innovation, and solving real-world problems led him to build products, launch startups, and eventually establish Praan, a climate technology company focused on improving air quality.
Today, Angad is recognized as one of India’s young innovators working to tackle one of the world’s biggest environmental challenges—air pollution.
His journey proves that curiosity, practical learning, and perseverance can create opportunities beyond conventional education.
Early Life: A Passion for Building Things
From an early age, Angad Daryani was fascinated by science, engineering, and technology.
Unlike most children who simply learned about inventions in textbooks, Angad enjoyed building them himself. He spent countless hours experimenting with electronics, creating prototypes, and understanding how machines worked.
This natural curiosity eventually shaped his career.
Why Angad Chose an Unconventional Education
As he grew older, Angad realized that traditional classroom education wasn’t giving him the freedom to explore his interests.
He decided to step away from conventional schooling and continue his education through homeschooling and independent learning.
Rather than memorizing textbooks, he focused on learning by building real products and solving practical engineering problems.
Later, he completed the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, studying subjects including:
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Economics
His unconventional education allowed him to spend more time developing practical skills while continuing his academic studies.
Becoming an Entrepreneur at Just 13
While most teenagers were still deciding what they wanted to become, Angad had already started building businesses.
At the age of 13, he founded Shark Kits, a company that created affordable DIY science and engineering kits for students.
His goal was simple.
He wanted to make science education more practical, engaging, and accessible for young learners.
This early venture gave him valuable experience in product development, entrepreneurship, and customer needs.
Making 3D Printing More Affordable
After Shark Kits, Angad launched Sharkbot 3D Systems, focusing on developing affordable 3D printers in India.
At a time when 3D printing technology was still expensive and relatively inaccessible, he worked on designing cost-effective solutions that could reach more students, educators, and businesses.
These projects strengthened his understanding of:
- Product design
- Manufacturing
- Engineering
- Team management
- Business operations
Each new project became another step in his entrepreneurial journey.
Studying Engineering in the United States
Although Angad stepped away from traditional schooling early, he never stopped learning.
He later moved to the United States to pursue higher education in engineering.
His academic journey included:
- Studying Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Later transferring to the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
- Graduating with honors
Alongside his studies, he actively participated in engineering research, startup programs, and innovation labs that further strengthened his technical skills.
Building Praan to Solve Air Pollution
In 2017, Angad founded Praan, a climate technology startup dedicated to addressing one of the world’s fastest-growing environmental problems—air pollution.
Instead of developing conventional air purifiers that require regular filter replacements, Praan focused on creating filterless air purification technology.
The company’s mission is to develop scalable solutions capable of improving air quality in homes, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, and public spaces.
Today, Praan also works on:
- Indoor air purification systems
- Outdoor air quality solutions
- Environmental monitoring technologies
- Carbon capture innovations
Its goal is to make cleaner air more accessible while reducing maintenance costs and environmental waste.
Growing Into a Global Climate Tech Company
Over the years, Praan has evolved into a globally recognized climate technology startup.
The company has reportedly:
- Raised more than $5 million in funding
- Partnered with global organizations, including Microsoft and ANSYS
- Expanded research and product development across India and the United States
Despite its international growth, much of Praan’s innovation continues to focus on solving air quality challenges faced by rapidly growing cities.
A Career Built on Continuous Innovation
Angad’s journey has never been limited to running a single company.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with researchers, engineers, startup founders, and technology organizations across multiple countries.
His approach remains consistent:
Build. Test. Learn. Improve.
Rather than chasing quick success, he focuses on solving meaningful problems through technology and innovation.
That mindset continues to define both his career and Praan’s mission.
Lessons We Can Learn from Angad Daryani
Angad’s journey offers valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, and students.
1. Learning doesn’t only happen inside classrooms
Practical experience often teaches lessons that textbooks cannot.
2. Start building early
You don’t have to wait until graduation to begin working on meaningful ideas.
3. Solve real-world problems
Businesses that address genuine challenges often create lasting impact.
4. Never stop learning
Whether through formal education or self-learning, continuous improvement is essential.
5. Innovation requires patience
Successful products are built through constant testing, experimentation, and refinement.
Final Thoughts
Angad Daryani’s journey from a young student passionate about engineering to the founder of a global climate technology startup demonstrates that success isn’t defined by following conventional paths.
His willingness to question traditional education, embrace practical learning, and focus on solving one of the world’s biggest environmental challenges has made him one of India’s most promising technology entrepreneurs.
As Praan continues developing innovative air purification technologies, Angad’s story serves as an inspiration for anyone who believes that meaningful innovation begins with curiosity and the courage to think differently.