Biography of Akshita Sachdeva: Founder and CEO of Trestle Labs- Entrepreneur
Biography of Akshita Sachdeva
Early Life and Education
Akshita Sachdeva’s early academic foundation was marked by
strong performance in her studies. She completed her schooling at Modern Vidya
Niketan, where she excelled with a remarkable 89% in her high school exams.
This academic success laid a strong groundwork for her future endeavors.
Following high school, Akshita pursued a Bachelor of Technology in Computer
Science and Engineering from Manav Rachna College of Engineering, graduating in
2016. During her time in college, she demonstrated a deep interest in the
intersection of technology and social impact, which would later become the core
focus of her entrepreneurial journey.
The Birth of Trestle Labs
In 2017, Akshita co-founded Trestle Labs, a company aimed at
leveraging technology to enhance accessibility for visually impaired
individuals. The company's vision was to create assistive technology solutions
that could empower the blind and visually impaired communities by improving
access to education, employment, and everyday opportunities. Their flagship
product, Kibo, is an AI-powered device designed to convert printed,
handwritten, and digital content into audio, making learning more accessible for
visually impaired individuals. The device was developed to help bridge the gap
between the visually impaired community and the world of knowledge, education,
and career opportunities. Through her leadership, Akshita has played a pivotal
role in the company's growth, balancing business development with a focus on
user-centric technology solutions.
Akshita’s Achievements in Entrepreneurship
Akshita's work has not gone unnoticed in the entrepreneurial
and social impact sectors. Over the years, she has earned several prestigious
awards for her contributions to social entrepreneurship and innovation. These
include the Prosus Social Impact Challenge for Accessibility Award, the TiE
Sustainability Summit Transformational Social Enterprise Award, and recognition
from multiple industry bodies. These awards underscore her commitment to
creating solutions that improve the lives of marginalized communities,
particularly those with disabilities. Akshita's journey serves as an
inspiration to other aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women in technology and
social enterprise.
Trestle Labs’ Innovation and Recognition
Trestle Labs has been at the forefront of assistive
technology, gaining recognition both nationally and internationally for its
innovations. The company's products, especially Kibo, have earned numerous
accolades. Among the most significant was the National Award for Best Applied
Research for improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. The
company's impact has been recognized globally, and in 2020, Trestle Labs was
selected to represent India in the World Finals of the Entrepreneurship World Cup,
where it gained exposure on a global platform. This recognition allowed Trestle
Labs to showcase its technology and the profound difference it is making in the
lives of visually impaired individuals, further solidifying its position as a
leader in the assistive tech industry.
Kibo’s Role in Accessibility
The Kibo device, the flagship innovation from Trestle Labs,
is revolutionary in its approach to addressing accessibility challenges faced
by the visually impaired. Kibo uses advanced AI technology to convert printed,
handwritten, and digital text into clear, high-quality audio. This
transformation allows users to engage with materials in a way that was
previously difficult or impossible. The device supports over 60 languages,
including 15 Indian languages, ensuring a broader reach, especially in multi-lingual
countries like India. The technology is designed not just for individual use
but for environments like libraries, schools, universities, and workplaces,
making it a versatile tool for inclusion. Kibo plays a key role in breaking
down the barriers that prevent visually impaired individuals from accessing
knowledge and engaging in educational, social, and professional settings.
A Vision for Rural Inclusivity
One of the core missions of Trestle Labs, under Akshita’s
leadership, is to make assistive technology accessible to underserved rural
communities. Through their vision, they aim to distribute Kibo devices in rural
libraries, making them available to individuals who otherwise may not have
access to such assistive technologies. This initiative addresses a critical gap
in rural areas, where resources and infrastructure for the differently-abled
are often lacking. By ensuring that rural populations have access to knowledge
in accessible formats, Trestle Labs is bridging the gap between rural and urban
communities, giving everyone the opportunity to succeed regardless of their
geographical location.
The Path to Funding and Partnerships
Akshita’s entrepreneurial journey saw a pivotal moment when
Trestle Labs appeared on Shark Tank India. During the show, Akshita and her
team secured a ₹60 Lakhs investment for 6% equity in Trestle Labs, a deal that
was backed by prominent investors like Peyush Bansal and Ronnie Screwvala. This
investment provided Trestle Labs with the financial support needed to scale
their operations and expand their product offerings. Beyond financial backing,
the partnership with these investors also opened up valuable networking
opportunities, mentorship, and exposure that have been crucial in Trestle Labs'
growth and ability to reach a larger audience.
Biography of Akshita Sachdeva: Founder and CEO of Trestle Labs- Entrepreneur/age/net worth/investor/startup/Trestle Labs story/assistive technology
Early Entrepreneurial Journey and Teamwork
Before founding Trestle Labs, Akshita and her co-founder,
Bonny Dave, were involved in a range of initiatives that contributed to the
development of their assistive technology solutions. Akshita's exposure to the
challenges faced by the visually impaired came from her volunteer work with the
National Association for the Blind. Meanwhile, Bonny’s involvement with the
Blind People's Association further highlighted the existing gaps in assistive
technologies. These experiences, coupled with their complementary
skills—Akshita’s expertise in technology and Bonny’s knowledge of hardware
design—laid the foundation for Trestle Labs. Their teamwork was pivotal in
transforming their ideas into a tangible product that addresses a real-world
issue.
Tackling Real-World Challenges with Technology
Trestle Labs’ journey was inspired by real-world challenges
faced by the visually impaired community, an issue that Akshita and Bonny
observed firsthand during their volunteer work. The lack of accessible
resources for the visually impaired led them to develop a solution that would
allow individuals with visual impairments to independently access education and
employment opportunities. Kibo was developed in response to these challenges,
with a focus on creating a cost-effective, scalable, and reliable product that
would make knowledge more accessible. By using technology as a tool for social
change, Trestle Labs is working toward a world where individuals with
disabilities can live more independent and empowered lives.
Recognitions and Awards
Akshita and Trestle Labs have been honored with several
prestigious awards that reflect the company’s growing impact. These include the
Rashtriya Swayamsiddh Samman and the Best Women Entrepreneur recognition, which
underscore Akshita’s leadership in the realm of social entrepreneurship. In
addition, Trestle Labs was named Best Indian Social Enterprise at the 8th AFI
Forum, further solidifying its position as a trailblazer in the assistive tech
industry. These awards acknowledge not just the technological innovation behind
Trestle Labs, but also its commitment to social change.
The Global Stage
Trestle Labs has had the opportunity to present its work on
several global platforms, gaining recognition for its impact on the assistive
technology sector. One of the most notable moments came when the company
represented India at the World Finals of the Entrepreneurship World Cup in
2020. This exposure on the global stage allowed Trestle Labs to showcase its
innovative solutions to a wider audience, raising awareness about the
challenges faced by the visually impaired and the solutions that technology can
offer. Additionally, Trestle Labs’ recognition at events like the Maharashtra
Startup Week, where it won the Tata Social Enterprise Challenge Award, further
emphasized its growing influence internationally.
Recognition for Social Innovation
The innovations created by Trestle Labs, particularly Kibo,
have earned the company recognition in the social innovation space. The company
was honored with the NASSCOM Design4India Award and the Nidhi Prayas
Prototyping Grant, both of which acknowledge the role of design and innovation
in addressing critical social issues. These accolades highlight the importance
of using technology to solve complex problems and the potential for social
enterprises to make a tangible difference in the world.
A Future of Empowerment
Looking to the future, Akshita Sachdeva and Trestle Labs are
focused on expanding their impact and continuing their mission of empowering
individuals with disabilities. With several new projects in development and a
clear vision for growth, Trestle Labs aims to increase its reach and create
even greater change in the lives of visually impaired individuals. Through
ongoing innovations and new partnerships, Akshita and her team are working
toward a future where accessibility is the norm, and everyone, regardless of
ability, has the opportunity to access education, employment, and personal
growth.
A timeline based on Akshita Sachdeva's journey:
2016 - Akshita graduates with a Bachelor of Technology in
Computer Science and Engineering from Manav Rachna College of Engineering.
2017 - Akshita co-founds Trestle Labs, focusing on assistive technology for visually impaired individuals.
2020 - Trestle Labs represents India at the World Finals of
the Entrepreneurship World Cup.
2020 - Trestle Labs wins the National Award for Best Applied
Research for improving lives of individuals with disabilities.
2020 - Trestle Labs secures ₹60 Lakhs investment on Shark
Tank India for scaling its operations.
2021 - Trestle Labs wins multiple awards, including the
Prosus Social Impact Challenge for Accessibility Award and TiE Sustainability
Summit Award.
2021 - Recognition at global platforms like the Maharashtra
Startup Week and Tata Social Enterprise Challenge.
2022 - Akshita is recognized with awards such as Rashtriya
Swayamsiddh Samman and Best Women Entrepreneur recognition.
2024 - Trestle Labs continues to develop new projects aimed
at empowering the visually impaired community through innovative technology.
