In 2018, Pranati Bagchi embarked on a mission to make technology education inclusive. As the founder of The Lavender Spaceship Project, a Singapore-based online coding platform tailored for school-going girls, she wanted to create a space where young girls could feel they truly belonged in tech. With over 15 years of experience across the US, India, and Singapore, Pranati fused her background in education and entrepreneurship to challenge long-standing gender barriers in STEM.
Five years later, the platform has run over 700 sessions, brought together a team of women role models in STEM, and built strong partnerships with like-minded organizations. The impact? A program where 92% of participants found it engaging and 84% expressed interest in continuing their coding journey. Along the way, Pranati has gathered a wealth of personal and professional insights. She shares five powerful lessons she has learned as the founder of a mission-driven edtech startup.
Highlights
From Mission to Momentum: How a Small Startup Made a Big Impact
After five years of leading a purpose-driven edtech startup, Pranati shares five of her most valuable lessons, drawn directly from her original reflection.
1. Embrace the Ever-Changing Nature of Entrepreneurship
“Every founder has a unique path wherein they grow and evolve as leaders and experts in their field,” Pranati writes. “The entrepreneurial journey is dynamic and you’ll find that your perspective, goals, and priorities will change as you gain new experiences and face new challenges. So being flexible and open to new ideas and opportunities, while staying focused on your goal is vital to the spirit of entrepreneurship.”
2. Uncertainty Will Always Be Part of the Game
“As founders, we have all experienced our fair share of uncertainties that are beyond our control, whether it’s navigating market changes or dealing with unexpected setbacks,” she shares. “But remembering that not everything will go according to plan, and being okay with it is very important. Sometimes, it’s those unexpected twists and turns that lead to the most innovative ideas.”
3. The Long Game Is What Matters
“In my opinion, building a successful business is a marathon, not a sprint,” Pranati says. “It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks of running a business, but it’s important to take a step back and think about the big picture. Personally, building a start-up that requires raising awareness has been exhausting but worth it. I learned to keep my eye on the horizon by staying true to my vision and being focused on my long-term goals.”
4. Founders Need Self-Kindness Too
“Entrepreneurship can be a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs,” she notes, “and it can be very easy to get caught up in the stress and pressure of it all. But it’s important to remember to be kind to yourself throughout the journey. Prioritizing self-care will ultimately make you a more resilient and empathetic leader.”
5. Enjoy the Process, Not Just the Outcome
“Entrepreneurship can be such a rewarding journey. It is not just about achieving success, but also about enjoying the process of building something from the ground up,” Pranati reflects. “It builds confidence and with cautious optimism, navigating this beautiful journey can be an experience like no other. So remember to celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem and focus on what you can learn from setbacks and mistakes.”
Closing Thoughts: Purpose Builds Endurance
Pranati closes her reflection with humility and hope:
“I am happy that I took the leap to build something that I believed in wholeheartedly. Over the past 5 years, I have not only learned to build a business but also discovered more about myself in the process. I look forward to continuing on this path and contributing towards curating a brighter and more inclusive future for girls all around the world.”
Her journey shows that when you build with heart, even small steps can shape a future worth believing in.
Highlights
Editor’s note: The original article was written by Pranati Bagchi in a LinkedIn post, titled “5 things I learned in 5 years as an entrepreneur”
Read the article in Chinese here.
