Athenavate

Today's session was quite different from yesterday. The students were used to us, which meant that they were more comfortable being naughty. They were quite rowdy, playing physically and chatting loudly. It took two of their teachers to keep them quiet while we taught.  Today, we focused on 'the idea' and 'the product.' We covered topics ranging from idea generation methods to design thinking basics, with strategic games and activities to keep the students on their toes. Some of the activities and concepts were hard to translate into Tamil, but we managed with the teacher's help.  If I say too much more, I think I might be repeating myself. One thing I want to make clear here is that the students are really eager to learn. They want to know what we have to say, and they try to understand the best they can. As trainers, it is up to us to give them examples and explanations that work for them. We tried to do so today, making sure to use examples close to them.  To...

Date: 23rd July 2026 Trainers: Lekhaa and Veda  Today was the first day of Athenavate's pilot program, ATHENA: Odysseus, at Gnanodaya School. We arrived well before the start of the program, giving us the opportunity to participate in the school's morning assembly. We were introduced to the students and also got to hoist the national flag, which was a big honor.  Then, we were led into the AV room. Now, they told us that the AV room had the worst internet in the school. We decided to plough on without wifi. Before we started the workshop, we were honored with handmade flower garlands, made by the younger students of the school.  The session passed without much incident. We had to switch rooms a few times, but that gave us a chance to stretch our legs.  Here are a few things we noticed...  1. The boys and girls did not want to sit with each other. They were actually kind of frightened of each other and shy. Being in college, we had forgotten what that was like....

What if entrepreneurship was something easier than you thought? What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word entrepreneurship? Money? Risk? Loss? Failure? If that's what comes to mind, then this blog is for you. Welcome to Athenavate! Athenavate is a game-based entrepreneurship learning platform that helps students understand entrepreneurship through experiences rather than lectures. Instead of simply explaining what entrepreneurship is, we encourage students to explore ideas, solve problems, work in teams, and learn by doing.  Along the way, we also challenge some of the biggest myths surrounding entrepreneurship: - Most entrepreneurs fail. - You need a business background to be an entrepreneur. - Entrepreneurship requires a huge investment. - Success comes from years of struggle. At Athenavate, we help students understand that entrepreneurship is not just about starting a business. It is about identifying opportunities, creating value, and taking initiat...

The journey has officially begun! Athenavate is delighted to launch ATHENA: Odysseus at Gnanodaya High School , in collaboration with MCC-MRF Innovation Park . From the 23rd to the 25th of July, students of Grades 9 and 10 will step into an exciting, hands-on learning experience focused on innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship . ATHENA: Odysseus is designed to help students think beyond the obvious. Through engaging activities, collaborative challenges, and real-world problem-solving, they'll explore how ideas are born, refined, and transformed into meaningful solutions. More importantly, they'll learn that entrepreneurship isn't just about starting a business. It's about curiosity, resilience, creativity, and the confidence to take the first step. We're incredibly grateful to Gnanodaya High School and MCC-MRF Innovation Park for partnering with us to make this experience possible. Together, we're creating spaces where students can learn, explore, and ...

What if entrepreneurship wasn't taught through slides and lectures, but through experiences? Welcome to Athenavate! Our belief is simple: Young people learn best when they get the opportunity to explore, experiment, and build. In a world where information is everywhere, what is often missing is the chance to put ideas into action.  At Athenavate, we strive to create a space where students can learn entrepreneurship through challenges, simulations, startup missions, and real-world problem-solving.  Here, students do more than learn about startups. They learn to think like founders, identify opportunities, work through uncertainty, and build solutions that matter.  Because entrepreneurship isn't just about starting a business.  It's about curiosity. It's about creativity. It's about taking initiative. And most importantly, it's about learning by doing. We're excited to begin this journey and share it with you. Stay tuned to learn more about Athenavate.