Kavitha Ravindran, Homerton alumna and Changemakers mentor, co-founded sAInaptic with fellow Cambridge graduate Dr. Rajeshwari Iyer in 2020. Together, they created the AI-based auto-marking product after their extensive market research identified a huge gap in the market. Today, armed with even deeper market insights, the enterprising pair have successfully expanded their thriving business into new sectors.
Initially sAInaptic was created to provide transformative support and learning equality for students revising for their GCSE Science exams as well as their teachers. With her PGCE in secondary science from Cambridge and over 12 years experience as a secondary science teacher and GCSE examiner, Kavitha was already well placed to understand the challenges faced in the K-12 space. The software developed effectively addresses two key issues; the lack of timely, meaningful feedback on descriptive answers for GCSE students, previously only delivered by expensive private tutors, and the overwhelming marking workload, which by aiding its reduction, also positively impacts teacher retention.
Expanding the sAInaptic vision
Since the software was launched, whilst continuing to support the secondary schools sector, the sAInaptic team have made significant strides to expand its vision to address marking and feedback challenges across a broader spectrum. Its growing list of clients includes professional certification providers, endpoint assessment organisations, online universities, and corporate entities with an assessment element involved in their recruitment or L&D (Learning and Development) processes.
Kavitha says:
“Our AI-driven auto-marking engine, trained on client-specific data, is designed to address the unique needs of these sectors. It streamlines marking and feedback processes, reduces costs and time and ensures consistent marking quality. As we look ahead, we aim to grow our reach in the schools’ sector, especially in international schools, and expand our B2B clientele, building stronger partnerships in these new markets.”
But Kavitha and Raj’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. The K-12 space had felt like their comfort zone, with first-hand experience of the pain-points and processes, but their ambition to move into new markets required significant investment in market research, which included attending sector-specific events, and engaging extensively with stakeholders across various industries.
Kavitha continues:
“We discovered that marking is a universal challenge, with remarkably similar pain points across sectors - an insight that strengthened our confidence in adapting our technology to address diverse needs. By actively engaging with clients, understanding their unique requirements, and refining our approach, we have developed a clear strategy to deliver tailored solutions that effectively meet the needs of each client. Our journey has reinforced the importance of adaptability and persistence in our work and we have learnt some really important lessons.”
Kavitha’s top three lessons to share are:
- Embracing challenges as opportunities to innovate
- The value of understanding problems deeply before developing solutions
- Acting swiftly and maintaining open communication with clients to build trust and iterate on feedback.
Mentoring for Changemakers
Kavitha and Raj are just as committed to their own business as they are to helping the next generation of forward thinkers and have found mentoring young entrepreneurs on the Changemakers programme extremely rewarding.
Kavitha says:
“We find it incredibly fulfilling to revisit the challenges we faced, offer insights to the next generation, and see their ideas in action. Mentoring is not just about teaching—it’s about mutual learning and the joy of seeing innovative ideas take shape.
Mentoring involves expertly guiding aspiring entrepreneurs through their journey. We focus on ensuring they’ve checked all the critical boxes needed to bring their product to market.”
The Changemekers programme is incredibly grateful to mentors like Kavitha and Raj, who provide a safe space for the students to brainstorm and validate their ideas. Mentors also provide invaluable practical advice so that students can avoid common pitfalls and refine their solutions effectively, and industry-specific knowledge that undoubtedly help to strengthen their business plans.
Kavitha concludes:
“Ultimately, students gain confidence and clarity, enabling them to bring their business ideas to life with fewer missteps. I would highly recommend mentoring to other professionals. As an entrepreneur or a subject matter expert, your insights and guidance are invaluable.
In return for your support, you get the satisfaction of giving back and shaping the next wave of innovators, you learn from the mentees’ fresh perspectives and ideas and get inspiration from the energy and creativity of emerging entrepreneurs.”
Kavitha and Raj now have firm plans to extend their support to the mentees, even after they have completed their Changemakers programmes. Their plans for a structured follow-up programme promises to help bridge the gap between pitching an idea and successfully entering the market.
Find out more about sAInaptic and the Homerton Changemakers programme
