From Researcher to Founder: How GWI Encouraged Anika Mistry to Turn Purpose into Action

When Anika Mistry joined Girls With Impact (GWI) as a teenager, she already had a passion for technology, research, and solving complex problems. What she didn’t yet realize was that entrepreneurship didn’t have to wait for age or experience.

Anika is the founder and CEO of DevMinds Learning, an AI-powered platform that helps neurodiverse children build social-emotional skills through personalized learning experiences. Since participating in GWI’s program, she has grown her venture into a nationally recognized company, secured nearly $100,000 in non-dilutive funding, collaborated with educators and clinicians, and spoken on global stages about technology, entrepreneurship, and social impact.

Sitting down with the GWI team, Anika reflects on how Girls With Impact shaped her mindset, helped her find her voice, and gave her the confidence to pursue opportunities far beyond what she once imagined.

GWI: Before Girls With Impact, how did you see your future? Did that vision change during or after the program?

Anika: Before Girls With Impact, I knew I loved technology and solving problems. I was conducting collegiate-level research and was deeply focused on the science behind innovation. At the time, I believed scientific discovery alone was how you created impact.

What I came to realize was that science alone isn't enough to reach the audience you want to serve. I needed a way to translate my work into something that could help people at scale. That's when I began considering entrepreneurship.

At the same time, I assumed starting a company was something people did later in life, after years of experience. Girls With Impact completely changed that assumption. The program showed me that age isn't a prerequisite for creating change. If you see a problem you care about, you don't have to wait for permission. You can start now.

That mindset shift ultimately led me to create DevMinds Learning and pursue opportunities I never would have imagined. It helped me realize that entrepreneurship isn't just a business path; it's a way to create meaningful impact.

What's something you've accomplished since Girls With Impact that your younger self wouldn't have believed possible?

My younger self would never have believed that I would found a company as a teenager, secure nearly $100,000 in non-dilutive funding, or have the opportunity to speak at major global conferences about entrepreneurship, technology, and social impact.

More than any single achievement, I think younger me would be surprised that I became someone willing to take risks and pursue ideas that felt bigger than myself.

Tell us about DevMinds Learning. What inspired it, and how has it grown?

DevMinds Learning was inspired by my experience volunteering at a learning center for neurodiverse children. Through that work, I saw firsthand how important therapy, social-emotional learning, and consistent support are for helping children build confidence and critical life skills.

When the pandemic hit, many of those services suddenly became inaccessible. Therapy sessions were disrupted, learning centers closed, and families were left with very few effective tools to support their children at home.

At the same time, I noticed that most digital solutions weren't personalized to each child's needs, interests, or goals. That gap inspired me to explore how technology could make support more accessible and engaging.

What started as a passion project became DevMinds Learning, an AI-powered social-emotional learning platform that helps neurodiverse children practice critical skills through personalized, interactive activities at home and between therapy sessions.

Since then, DevMinds has secured nearly $100,000 in non-dilutive funding, conducted pilot studies with leading autism clinics, partnered with therapists and educators across the United States, and expanded far beyond what I originally imagined.

What motivated me to continue after Girls With Impact was seeing how widespread the problem truly is. The more families, educators, and therapists I spoke with, the more I realized that access to support remains a challenge for millions of children. Knowing that this work has the potential to make a meaningful difference continues to drive me every day.

Was there a specific moment when you realized, “I can really do this”?

The moment I truly realized I could do this came after our first pilot study with neurodiverse students.

Ninety-five percent of participating children showed measurable improvements in the social-emotional learning skills we were targeting. Up until then, DevMinds was an idea, a prototype, and a lot of late nights.

Seeing children engage with the platform and make real progress transformed it from a concept into something tangible. It wasn't just proof that I could start a company, it was proof that the solution could genuinely help families.

That experience gave me the confidence to keep building and the conviction that this work could make a meaningful difference.

How did Girls With Impact change the way you think about leadership, business, or your own potential?

Girls With Impact taught me not to let other people's expectations define what's possible for me.

One of the biggest lessons I took away from the program was that age, gender, or experience shouldn't determine whether you pursue an opportunity. If you believe you can contribute, you should be willing to take that chance, even if others don't immediately understand your vision.

I've carried that mindset throughout my career. It even led me to pursue an MBA while still completing my undergraduate degree. Many people questioned the decision, but instead of focusing on whether I fit the traditional mold, I focused on learning, contributing, and making the most of the opportunity.

By the end of the program, I was recognized as one of Poets&Quants' Top 100 Best & Brightest MBA students. That experience reinforced what Girls With Impact taught me years earlier: don't let other people place limits on what you believe is possible.

Are there any lessons from Girls With Impact that you still use in your everyday life?

Absolutely. The biggest lesson I still use every day is not accepting the status quo simply because it's the way things have always been done.

Girls With Impact encouraged me to look at problems through an entrepreneurial lens and ask, "Why does it have to be this way?" That question has shaped everything I've done since. It's what led me to challenge traditional approaches to supporting neurodiverse students through technology, and it's influenced countless decisions I've made in business and life.

Innovation starts when you're willing to question assumptions, and that's a mindset I carry with me every day.

Did Girls With Impact impact your confidence and your voice as a leader?

Definitely. Before the program, I was comfortable doing research and building things behind the scenes, but I wasn't always confident sharing my perspective publicly.

Girls With Impact taught me that having a seat at the table isn't enough. You have to be willing to speak up once you're there.

That confidence has shaped nearly every opportunity I've pursued since. It's helped me pitch investors, speak at national and international conferences, advocate for my company and users, and lead teams in environments where I was often the youngest person in the room.

Most importantly, it taught me that confidence isn't about having all the answers; it's about believing your perspective has value and being willing to contribute, even while you're still learning.

Did you get what you expected out of Girls With Impact?

When I joined the program, I expected to learn the fundamentals of business and entrepreneurship and maybe explore how I could turn my interests into something practical.

What I didn't expect was everything that came afterward. I never imagined that the ideas I started developing would eventually lead me to found a company, secure funding, travel internationally, work alongside mentors and industry leaders, and speak publicly about social impact, entrepreneurship, and technology.

The business skills were incredibly valuable, but what I really walked away with was a completely different view of what was possible.

Girls With Impact helped me realize that young women don't have to wait until they're older or more experienced to create meaningful change.

If you could go back and talk to yourself on the first day of the GWI program, what would you say?

I would tell myself to stop worrying about whether I'm qualified enough and start focusing on learning. You don't have to have everything figured out before you begin. Some of the most meaningful opportunities in my life came from taking the first step before feeling completely ready.

What would you say to a young woman who's unsure whether she belongs in business, leadership, or entrepreneurship?

I would tell her that belonging isn't something you earn after reaching a certain milestone. If you're curious, passionate about solving problems, and willing to learn, then you belong.

Don't wait for someone else to validate your potential. Start where you are, use the resources around you, and trust that your perspective matters.

The world needs more women building solutions, leading organizations, and shaping the future.

Looking Ahead for Anika and DevMinds Learning

Anika's story is a reminder that leadership doesn't begin with a title, a degree, or years of experience, but with the willingness to take action.

What started as a teenager's passion for problem-solving has grown into a venture impacting families, educators, and children around the world. Along the way, Anika has embraced opportunities, challenged assumptions, and continually pushed beyond what others thought was possible.

For Girls With Impact, her journey represents exactly what's possible when young women are equipped with the skills, confidence, and support to pursue their ideas. And for the next generation of aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders, Anika's message is clear: you don't have to wait to make a difference. Start now.

Explore GWI’s Innovation Academy here: https://www.girlswithimpact.org/register