Bio
When not disrupting an industry, growing his company or pitching prospective clients, Shubham Banerjee can be found meeting his board, brainstorming with engineers or knocking on the doors of venture capitalists. Such is the life of Silicon Valley’s youngest entrepreneur.
Shubham Banerjee is the Evangelist and Founder of Braigo Labs Inc. and the inventor of Braigo.
At the age of 13, Shubham used Lego to create a low-cost Braille printer (a.k.a. Braigo) that he designed over long evenings at his family’s kitchen table in Santa Clara, an hour south of San Francisco. The idea is to print Braille reading materials from a personal computer or electronic device on to paper using raised dots instead of ink.
His startup, Braigo Labs, has received an undisclosed investment amount from Intel Capital and Shubham is considered the youngest entrepreneur to receive venture capital.
Shubham devised the idea as a school science fair project, after he asked his parents how blind people read. “Google it,” they replied. Shubham was shocked to discover that a market of 200 million people, most in developing countries, relied on clunky, expensive equipment. They are focused on bringing Braigo to market so real people can benefit and pay only a fraction of the original cost.
Shubham is regularly featured in International and National Media including CNN, NBC, ABC, PBS, NPR, CBC, BBC, Discovery, amongst others. He has had thousands of articles written about him in major publications and he holds several awards for innovation, to include:
• The White House – Honored Maker
• US News – Next Generation of STEM Leaders
• Popular Science – Greatest Innovations of the Year
• Trusted Reviews (UK) – Technology Innovation Awards
• Silicon Valley Business Journal 40 Under 40
• Maker Faire – Editors Choice Awards
• Readers Digest Best of America
• Fortune Magazine 18 Under 18 – The Young Innovators Who Are Changing The World
• The Guardian – Teen Powerlist
• Youngest Founder to Receive Venture Capital Funding for a Startup
His story has captured the imagination of many people, including industry veterans, and students alike who think Braigo will shake up the market for the visually impaired. He openly shares his story of innovation to inspire both adults and children alike. With his down to earth personality and young man sense of humor, Shubham has been well received by many different audiences.
Shubham, was born in Hasselt, Belgium. The family moved to San Jose, California when he was 4 years old. Currently, he is enrolled at UC Berkeley College of Engineering.
