As the world navigates through unprecedented times, education has been a sector that has been affected profoundly. Safety concerns are at an all-time high, and educational institutions are grappling with solutions to ensure the safety of their students. While many have struggled to find answers, Chitra Kanagaraj, the co-founder of Pikmykid, has been an instrumental force in revolutionizing school safety.
From Humble Beginnings to Edtech Thought Leader
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Hailing from a humble background in India, Chitra’s journey to becoming the first female graduate and engineer in her family is a testament to the power of education to overcome poverty. With more than a decade of experience in the software services industry, Chitra was well versed in creating and implementing software products at scale. However, the challenge of investing her life savings to start her own business was a daunting one.
The idea for Pikmykid came about when Chitra’s partner Pat Bhava, was waiting in a long carline to pick up his child from school. Pickup traffic was choking the neighbourhood traffic for hours every day, with students running around unaccounted for, loudspeakers blaring names and children getting into cars with the wrong families. This issue evolved into Chitra’s MBA cost-benefit analysis case study. As she delved deeper into the subject, she realized that the growing safety concerns in K12 schools presented an opportunity to proactively address and create a safer world for the next generation. The idea of developing a tool that could keep a check on schools became the core focus for Chitra in the coming years.
Weathering the Storms
For Chitra & her partner, the hurdles were numerous and varied. One of the biggest obstacles they faced was convincing schools that their product was a necessary solution to a very real safety concern. Despite the fact that every school has had to deal with missing students or traffic accidents, many were hesitant to acknowledge the problem and the need for a solution.
Funding was also a significant challenge in the early stages of the company. With limited resources, the team had to balance their desire to build a quality product with the need to get it to market quickly. Securing funding from angel investors was a turning point for the company, providing not only the necessary financial resources but also a much-needed vote of confidence.
Another challenge that many startups face is building the right team. Chitra mentions that in the early stages, it’s often difficult to attract experienced professionals who are willing to take a risk on an unproven idea. Instead, the team may be comprised of individuals who are passionate and willing to learn along with the founders.
For her, the most influential moment in her journey was securing that first angel investment. It was a powerful validation of their idea and a reminder that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. Chitra & her team remained committed to their vision and were ultimately successful in bringing her product to market.
Empowering Schools with Safety
Today, Pikmykid is the leading school safety software that empowers schools with easy-to-use software to simplify daily and emergency operations, helping keep students safe throughout the entire school day. By engaging parents and practicing daily dismissal safety, Pikmykid schools create a safer learning environment and help educators guide students to catch up on learning following COVID closures, supporting them through mental health crises exacerbated by social isolation, and filling in for colleagues during teacher (and substitute teacher) shortages.
A Diverse Background
As an entrepreneur, Chitra’s education and skills played a vital role in her success. Her background in software engineering and strategic planning provided her with the expertise necessary to create and implement the Pikmykid platform. Her MBA degree helped her evaluate the feasibility of her business idea and cost-benefit analysis for schools. With her skills and knowledge, she was able to successfully navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business.
Key to Success
Chitra’s role as an influential and dynamic women entrepreneur is to foster a diverse work environment that has been central to Pikmykid’s success. She believes in the saying, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Her determination and ability to resolve conflicts help eliminate distractions and inspire the team to achieve their goals and build successful careers.
Perseverance and Confidence is the Key
According to Chitra, perseverance and confidence are essential traits for every woman entrepreneur to achieve success. As part of a small cohort of women at the C-Level, it is essential to showcase your talents and abilities. Women are often stereotyped and not taken seriously in many sectors, which further hinders their progress. Social networking and finding mentors often require more work than your male counterpart. Often, women downplay their accomplishments as a team or company, but as an entrepreneur, confidence is key.
Building a Safer Future
Chitra’s ultimate goal is to create a world where safety is a fundamental part of every child’s education. With Pikmykid, she has taken the first step towards achieving that goal. By helping schools establish a safe and secure environment for students, Chitra has made it possible for children to learn without fear. Her relentless focus on student safety has helped her build a powerful ecosystem with a record of every student’s journey integrated into their student information, supporting student success and school safety.
In a Nutshell
Chitra Kanagaraj is a true inspiration to women entrepreneurs all over the world. Her dedication to safety in K12 schools has led to the creation of a powerful software platform that simplifies daily and emergency operations, keeping students safe throughout the entire school day. Her journey from a thatched roof mud hut in India to becoming the first female graduate and engineer in her family is a testament to the power of education to overcome poverty. Her story shows that with perseverance, confidence, and determination, anything is possible.
As we move forward in 2023, we need more women leaders like Chitra to inspire us and show us what is possible. With her vision, innovation, and unwavering commitment to safety and education, Chitra Kanagaraj is a true trailblazer and an inspiration to us all.
Company Name – Pikmykid
Featured Person – Chitra Kanagaraj, Co-founder
Quote: “With a combination of tools built to increase safety throughout the day, Pikmykid helps you create a stress-free experience for staff and parents during daily processes.”
