Building More Than Startups: LaunchX Alum Rishika’s Vision for Future Founders

This is the second part of a story featuring LaunchX alum, Rishika Goteti. Read the first article, “Persistence matters”, Rishika Goteti: From a LaunchX rejection to a LaunchX alum,” here.

Rishika's entrepreneurial journey began in New Jersey, but it truly flourished when she moved to India and noticed a gap in opportunities for young, business-minded students. That gap led her to create the Future Entrepreneurs and Leaders Association (FELA), a thriving community that helps students explore entrepreneurship. Now, as a student at Northeastern, she balances building and learning, all while giving back to the next generation of innovators.

What inspired you to start the Future Entrepreneurs and Leaders Association (FELA)?

‍I was born and raised in New Jersey, where I had the chance to explore my interest in business early on through school clubs like FBLA, DECA, and other student-led organizations. But halfway through high school, I moved to India and joined an international school. I was excited to find similar opportunities there, but to my surprise, there weren’t any. No business clubs, no entrepreneurship programs – nothing like what I had back home. That gap pushed me to create something new. I founded the Future Entrepreneurs and Leaders Association (FELA) to give students like me a way to explore entrepreneurship in a hands-on, collaborative way. I wanted to build a space where young people could connect, learn from mentors, and get real exposure to what it takes to start something of their own. Since then, FELA has grown into a thriving community, hosting workshops, panels, and startup competitions that have empowered hundreds of students across India to think more entrepreneurially.

What advice would you give to someone starting in entrepreneurship?

If I had to give one piece of advice, it’d be: don’t wait until you feel “ready.” You probably won’t. Just start. You’ll figure things out along the way. Entrepreneurship isn’t some grand, polished destination. It’s messy, experimental, and full of trial and error. And that’s the fun of it. Get your first version out there, no matter how imperfect. You’ll learn 10x more from doing than from overthinking.

How do you balance being a student and a builder?

Balancing Northeastern and everything I want to build on the side is… a lot. But I’ve learned to see it as two parts of the same journey. I’ll take something I learned in class and apply it to a venture idea that same week, or vice versa. Staying organized and giving myself space to pause when needed has been key. I try to think in terms of seasons. Some weeks are heavier on academics, others on entrepreneurial projects, and that flexibility keeps me grounded. Time-blocking has really helped me throughout all of this, I couldn’t go an hour without using my Google Calendar!

Looking back, what would you tell your younger self?

I’d tell my younger self: stop waiting for the “perfect” moment. You don’t need permission to try something new. Starting a venture, even if it’s small or messy, is one of the best things you can do. It’ll teach you so much about yourself—what excites you, what you’re good at, and where you need to grow. Take the risk. You’ll thank yourself later.

Rishika’s journey reminds us that starting something new doesn’t require waiting for the perfect moment, but requires action. By embracing the messiness of entrepreneurship, staying organized, and mentoring others, she’s building a lasting impact on young entrepreneurs, both locally and globally. Connect with Rishika here.