“Persistence matters”, Rishika Goteti: From a LaunchX rejection to a LaunchX alumni

Like most entrepreneurs, Rishika's entrepreneurial story didn’t begin with a yes— in fact, it began with a “no,” a rejection from the LaunchX program when she first applied. But that didn’t stop her. From facing rejection to building a virtual productivity platform and learning how to pivot in real time, her experience is a powerful example of what it really means to be a young founder.

Here’s how LaunchX helped her grow not just as an entrepreneur but as an ambitious problem-solver and leader.

What was the most unexpected lesson you learned during your time at LaunchX, and how did it shape your approach to entrepreneurship? 

Frankly, this one is a funny story, because the most unexpected lesson I learned during LaunchX came before the program even started. I first applied in 2022, hoping to attend the summer after my sophomore year. That was when I really started to take my passion for entrepreneurship seriously—I was dreaming big, picturing all the things I’d build and learn through the program. But when decisions came out… I got rejected. I was crushed. It felt like such a missed opportunity for something I was genuinely excited about. 

Fast forward a year—I had moved to India, was adjusting to a whole new environment, and honestly just needed something to reconnect me to the world of entrepreneurship. So when applications opened again, I decided to apply. No expectations, no pressure—I actually forgot I had even submitted it. But then, out of nowhere, I got the acceptance email. I was completely shocked. 

That experience taught me something I’ll never forget: persistence matters. In entrepreneurship—and in life—sometimes you just have to show up again, even after hearing “no.” Reapplying even after rejection wasn’t just a second chance—it was the first real lesson LaunchX taught me, and probably the most important one.

Q: Tell us about the startup you worked on during LaunchX.

Absolutely! Our startup journey at LaunchX began with a simple but powerful observation – during the pandemic, many students lost access to physical libraries and study spaces, which made it harder to stay motivated and focused. I personally missed the quiet productivity of being surrounded by others working toward their goals. That’s when the idea struck: what if we could recreate that environment virtually? We developed in-Sync, an edtech platform designed to bring students together from across the country into shared virtual study spaces. The concept was like a digital library—you log on, see others studying in real-time, and feel motivated to stay on task yourself. We chose the name in-Sync because the goal was to create a space where like-minded students could work in synchrony, no matter where they were physically.

Q: You mentioned pivoting during the program. What changed?

Initially, we focused heavily on video-based rooms, thinking that face-to-face visibility would drive accountability. But through user interviews and testing, we learned that many students didn’t feel video was necessary—they just wanted to know others were working alongside them. So we pivoted to a more minimal, presence-driven interface that still fostered a sense of community and focus, while removing the pressure of being on camera. That feedback-driven refinement helped us shape in-Sync into something truly aligned with what students actually needed.

Q: What made your LaunchX team work so well together?
What really brought our LaunchX team so close was how well we respected each other and communicated openly. Everyone had their own strengths, and we weren’t afraid to push each other or give honest feedback, which actually made us stronger. I think that trust helped us get through tough moments, especially when we had to pivot or make fast decisions. By the end, it didn’t just feel like a project team—it felt like a group of people I genuinely enjoyed building with. That experience showed me how important team chemistry is in any startup. 

How did working with your mentor, Jeddy Yuan, influence your journey after LaunchX? Are there any particular pieces of advice or guidance that stuck with you? 

Jeddy played a influential role in my startup journey. After LaunchX, my co-founders went back to focusing on their high school paths and didn’t plan to continue with in-Sync. I was tempted to do the same—but deep down, I knew in-Sync wasn’t just a learning experience for me. It tackled a real problem I genuinely cared about solving. Jeddy helped me recognize that. He encouraged me to keep going, even as a 16-year-old high school junior, and reminded me that I didn’t need to have everything figured out. His advice helped me reframe it as a project—something worth building step by step, one foot in front of the other.

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Rishika’s story is proof that entrepreneurship isn’t about instant success—it’s about showing up, learning fast, and staying connected to the problems you care most about solving. Her LaunchX experience taught her how to pivot, lead with empathy, and build with purpose. Most importantly, it reminded her—and now reminds us—that sometimes the most valuable lessons come before you even get started.