Rajasthan Teen Builds Startup With No Degree or Mentor

When Gaurav Singh shared his founder story on LinkedIn, he didn't list prestigious schools or impressive internships. Instead, the 20-year-old from Bharatpur, Rajasthan, shared what he didn't have.

Singh has no computer science degree, no corporate experience, and no mentor. He's never worked an internship or sat in a Bengaluru office. Yet in January 2025, he founded CT-Studio, proving that India's startup path doesn't require an IIT degree.

"Everything I know, I figured out alone, at midnight, on a laptop, with whatever I could access for free," Singh wrote in his viral post. The student at Maharaja Surajmal Brij University taught himself everything through free online resources during late-night study sessions.

His transparency struck a chord online. While LinkedIn feeds overflow with polished success stories from elite institutions, Singh highlighted his lack of traditional credentials. "The feed is full of IIT grads, Bangalore founders, and YC alumni," he explained. "This is the other side of that."

The post resonated because it reflects a growing reality in India's tech scene. Thousands of young people in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are teaching themselves to code, design, and build businesses without expensive degrees or industry connections.

Why This Inspires

Singh represents a shift in India's startup narrative. For years, the ecosystem focused heavily on pedigree: which college you attended, which companies employed you, and which investors backed you.

His journey shows that determination and internet access can compete with prestigious credentials. Self-taught creators across smaller Indian cities are learning online, building independently, and sharing their processes publicly.

At a time when many young Indians feel locked out of tech careers without elite education, Singh's story opens doors. His honesty about learning alone, without shortcuts or mentors, makes success feel achievable to others starting from scratch.

The Bharatpur founder is documenting his journey as he builds, turning personal storytelling into a powerful tool for connecting with others on similar paths. His growing visibility proves that authenticity resonates more than polish.

For every aspiring entrepreneur studying alone at midnight in a small Indian town, Singh's message is clear: you don't need permission to start building.