Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Kerala Teen Leads AI Startup While Paying Father ₹2 Lakh
Raul John Aju is a 16-year-old student from Kerala who enjoys building things with artificial intelligence.
He first became interested in AI when he was nine.
At age 12, he built a robot called MeBot for a school project.
Since then, he has created more than 15 AI tools.
He now runs a startup with about 15 employees while studying in Class 12.
His father works there too, and Raul reportedly pays him ₹2 lakh each month.
Raul says working with his father helps him learn how businesses and technology companies operate.
He also teaches AI to students and professionals and wants people to use AI while keeping human qualities such as creativity and empathy.
Raul John Aju began exploring artificial intelligence at age nine.
At 12, he built MeBot for a school science project.
The Class 12 student now leads a startup with about 15 employees.
Raul reportedly pays his father, Aju Joseph, ₹2 lakh per month to work at the company.
His AI education initiatives have reportedly reached nearly five lakh learners worldwide.
- Who
- Raul John Aju, a 16-year-old student and AI startup founder, and his father Aju Joseph.
- What
- Raul leads an AI startup, employs his father, and runs AI education initiatives.
- When
- Raul began exploring AI at nine, built MeBot at 12, and is now studying in Class 12; he also spoke at the 2026 India AI Impact Summit.
- Where
- Raul is from Kerala; his work has reached learners worldwide and taken him to platforms in New Delhi and elsewhere.
- Why
- He aims to develop practical AI tools, make AI education more accessible, and encourage young people to combine technology with human qualities.
- Age
- 16
- Education
- Studying in Class 12
- Startup workforce
- Around 15 employees
- Father's reported salary
- ₹2 lakh per month
- AI tools developed
- More than 15, including MeBot, RESQ AI, ZapGap, Investo AI and FeedFye
- Learners reached
- Nearly five lakh students and professionals worldwide, according to the report
- International appearance
- Participated in a United Nations-organised session at the 2026 India AI Impact Summit
