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Name: Aryaka Tickoo '26
Hometown: Mumbai, India
High School: Mithibai College of Art
Major: Environmental Science and Business Administration (Management)
Minor: Entrepreneurship
Name: Inesh Tickoo '26
Hometown: New Delhi, India
High School: Delhi Public School Dwarka
Major: Computer Science and Business Administration
Minor: Psychology
OWU Connection Experience:
Seniors Aryaka Tickoo and Inesh Tickoo (who aren't related) attended the 2025 Forbes Under 30 Summit in Columbus, Ohio, meeting with top young leaders, founders, and creators, and learning how they are working to improve the world. They received support to attend the four-day event this fall from The Woltemade Center for Economics, Business and Entrepreneurship.
Aryaka: "I represented my start-up, Aethera AI, and participated in keynote sessions, workshops, and events led by Forbes Under 30 listers and industry experts covering topics such as AI-driven climate innovation, emerging trends in sustainable food systems, navigating saturated markets through creativity, scaling social enterprises, and I learned the life story of the youngest self-made woman billionaire. (Aryaka's start-up seeks to analyze heat maps in real-time and reimagine urban green spaces to address the climate concerns.)
"In addition, I took part in a community service day with a local nonprofit, Freedom a la Cart; engaged in meaningful networking with U30 listers for mentorship, job opportunities, and startup collaborations; and learned about transitioning from a full-time student to a full-time entrepreneur and/or corporate leader."
Engaging with such hardworking and successful individuals reminded me why I began my own journey as a social entrepreneur: to bridge the gap between sustainable technology and sustainable societies, and to build spaces that empower others to do the same.
Aryaka: "As a student entrepreneur, I constantly seek opportunities to connect with leaders, especially Gen Z, as we will soon be in positions of influence, driving change through tech innovation to meet the emerging global needs of our time.
"Since high school, I have been part of virtual international networks where students are not only passionate about their work but also deeply committed to reforming systems that no longer serve today's world. That is why in-person experiences such as the Forbes Under 30 Summit are so important to me – they reaffirm this vision by allowing me to physically surround myself with individuals who are using creativity, resilience, and purpose to shape the future. … Engaging with such hardworking and successful individuals reminded me why I began my own journey as a social entrepreneur: to bridge the gap between sustainable technology and sustainable societies, and to build spaces that empower others to do the same."
Inesh: "I attended the Forbes Under 30 Summit to meet people who are building the future – founders, investors, and innovators who are solving big problems with creativity and purpose. As a student and aspiring entrepreneur, I wanted to learn from people who've turned their ideas into something real and lasting. It was meaningful because it helped me see how what I study – Computer Science, Business, and Psychology – connects directly to real-world innovation. It also reminded me that the best ideas don't just aim for profit or speed; they aim for progress that genuinely improves people's lives."
Aryaka: "My favorite moment of the experience was during the Summit Service Day, when I volunteered at Freedom a la Carte Cafe in Columbus, Ohio. Despite being the only student volunteer among established professionals, I had the opportunity to help a survivor of human trafficking explore some solid pathways toward achieving their dream of joining the workforce and becoming financially independent."
Inesh: "My favorite moment was meeting a group of Indian entrepreneurs, on the Forbes list, who are now leading global companies in AI, sustainability, and fintech (financial technology). They shared stories about taking risks, learning from failure, and building products that serve millions of people. What inspired me most was how grounded they were – they spoke about using technology responsibly and keeping people at the center of everything they build.
"Those conversations made me think deeply about the kind of work I want to do – building tools that make complex systems easier to understand and decisions more fair and transparent. It reminded me that real innovation isn't just about disruption; it's about creating clarity and trust in how the world works."
Inesh: "The summit helped me see how closely classroom learning connects with real-world change. Many of the discussions – about ethical AI, sustainability, and leadership – linked directly to ideas I've studied at OWU. It showed me that success in technology isn't just about technical skill; it's also about empathy, ethics, and understanding people.
"A key lesson I took away is that every system we build reflects our values. Whether we create technology that empowers people or leaves them behind depends on the intent behind it. That made me think more deeply about the kind of impact I want my work to have – to create technology that helps people make smarter, fairer choices.
"Experiences like this matter because they turn learning into action. They remind students that we have both the tools and the responsibility to build things that make the world work better for everyone."
Aryaka: "Through this experience, I was able to truly understand how the interdisciplinary knowledge I have gained at OWU connects to the real world. For instance, listening to keynote sessions and conversations about financing social enterprises helped me see the practical applications of what I have learned across finance and environmental politics. ...
"Hearing six-time Olympic medalist Suni Lee speak on integrating business into sports and connecting with social entrepreneurs Jonathan Lord, co-founder at Flux Marine Ltd, and Katherine Sizov, founder and CEO at Strella, becoming friends with inspiring figures like Xiye Bastida, founder of Re-Earth Initiative (whom I have admired for years) and Jenny Wang, founder and CEO of Alta, gave me new motivation and potential for collaboration.
"I also built a close bond with women astronauts, data scientists, and journalists who, despite their incredible achievements, spoke vulnerably about the challenges of balancing ambition with personal well-being. Those conversations reminded me that success comes with persistence and purpose, especially as women continue to reclaim space in industries where representation is limited."
Aryaka: "As a senior, attending the summit was the perfect bridge between student life and the professional world. It showed me that people from all backgrounds – college-going or not – can create meaningful impact when they come together to celebrate, collaborate, and innovate. Most importantly, I realized that these accomplished individuals are human, too; if they can do it, so can I. Furthermore, my goal is not necessarily to become a Forbes Under 30 lister, I aspire to join the Forbes community and similar networks (TIME, Fortune, Inc., Wired, HBR, SSIR, etc.) that amplify changemakers. I hope to one day have my work recognized in fields such as social impact, energy and green tech, science, or finance – using that platform to inspire more young people to pursue social entrepreneurship and reshape the world for the better.
"Experiences like this should be encouraged and matter to all because they expand our vision beyond the university setting. I firmly believe when I attend conferences, competitions, and other similar connection experiences, I not only put OWU on the map among global institutions but also reaffirm my purpose, strengthen my drive, and remind myself to set an example for my peers and future students to think bigger, bolder, beyond what they know and toward the impact they have the power to create."
Aryaka: "Since freshman year, I have continued my passion for large-scale event planning and management through leadership roles across multiple student organizations and committees, including Horizons, Women in Science, Citizens Climate Lobby, Campus Programming Board, Dean's Council, OWU Marketing Committee, and the Economics Honor Society. During my time here, I have also worked as a Bishop Scholars Tutor, Resident Assistant, International & Off-Campus Programs Intern, Career Connection: Economics & Business Intern, Alumni & Friends Reunion Ambassador, and Bishop Ambassador for the Office of Admission.
"I am also part of the Nancy Bihl Rutowski Leadership Fellowship, the Corns Scholars Program, and the Bishop Launch Program, which have been instrumental in shaping my professional mindset. Currently, as president of Women in Entrepreneurship, I am primarily focused on building third spaces centered around changemaking, innovation, and collaboration for OWU women students – creating an empowered community and sharing resources I have gathered over my time here to help others make the most of the OWU Connection pillars for self-discovery and implementation."
Inesh: "I'm a part of the campus innovation ecosystem through a mix of representing OWU at entrepreneurship conferences and competitions and mentorship. I like learning, experimenting, and building with people who love solving problems. I'm a cofounder of The Entrepreneurship Club at OWU, where I work with students from different majors to help them develop startup ideas, find mentors, and pitch at campus and national competitions." (Inesh has earned honors at The Woltemade Center's Big Problem Challenge and OWU's second annual U.S. Entrepreneurship Competition.)
Aryaka: "I chose Ohio Wesleyan University because I wanted a small, close-knit liberal arts experience with a diverse group of international students that promoted studying away. I was drawn to the strength of its Business and Environmental Science departments and programs, and received a strong set of scholarships that I could build upon after arriving here."
Inesh: "I chose Ohio Wesleyan because of its holistic education and innovative opportunities. I've been able to design my own learning path, work closely with professors, participate in hackathons and conferences, and build real-world projects with an interdisciplinary mindset."
Aryaka: "I plan to either land a full-time role at a start-up in business development or project management – or better yet, scale Aethera AI into a fully established entity. Over the years, OWU has given me opportunities not just to gain professional experience on campus, but also to live and work in cities like San Francisco and Amsterdam through Career Connection grants and a Travel-Learning Course with Dr. Cliff Hurst, and to intern at Industrial Hyperspectral Solutions, which applies learnings from all of my academic disciplines. I have also been able to connect with Ohio's start-up culture through field trips, events, and chats with alumni, such as Megan Ellis '05, SJ Barakony '98, Mark Shipps '70, and Rusty McClure '72."
Inesh: "Going forward, I would like to work in emerging technologies to help build the newest era of intelligent and explainable computing. OWU has prepared me for this path by giving me the freedom to learn and connect ideas across Computer Science, Business, and Psychology, and apply them into the real world through internships and projects. It's taught me to think about technology not just as something powerful, but as something that should always be clear, fair, and made for people."