Till this date, I still remember the very first time I entered the 10xTechClub class. I was feeling smart but also a little nervous, excited to learn some cool new technical things.
Let me first tell you a bit about myself. Hi, my name is Aarya Matkar, and I'm the kind of person who always wants to know the logic behind things. As a kid, I would open up gadgets just to look at those fascinating PCBs inside. My craze for technology started way back in first grade, when I was in the USA. At my school science exhibition, I built my first IoT project—a model windmill—and from there, my journey truly began.
I used to open, break, and sometimes even repair things (though there was no guarantee they would actually work again 😅). I loved Scratch coding too, and by my 6th grade exhibition, I had already made a cool obstacle-avoiding car. That was the time my dad discovered 10xTechClub, and soon I became a part of this amazing community.
Stage 1: Design Thinking & Robotics
We started with Design Thinking, where I learned how to break down problems, explore different solutions, and think from a user's perspective. After that, we jumped straight into the world of Robotics, IoT, Embedded Systems, and 3D Printing.
Our first Hackathon was unforgettable. I built a CubeSat, and though I was nervous, Hrishikesh Sir guided me patiently, even teaching me soldering for the very first time. Completing that project gave me a huge confidence boost.
Stage 2: Software Engineering & Data Science
Next came Software Engineering with Python and Data Science, guided by Pooja Ma'am, Payal Ma'am, and Madhvi Ma'am. We built a Sleep Tracker and even had to explain the entire code to our parents during a hackathon. It wasn't a competition, but it taught me how to communicate technical concepts clearly—a skill I still use today.
Stage 3: Artificial Intelligence
Then we moved into the fascinating world of AI and Machine Learning:
- Data Analytics
- Natural Language Processing
- Computer Vision
- Generative AI
- Machine Learning
For our hackathon, we built a Brain Tumor Detector. That day was extra special because, for the first time, my sister came to see my work. She always thought I was just flexing with a line of code, but seeing me build a real-world AI project left her amazed.
Stage 4: Entrepreneurship & SpaceTech
In the final stage, I explored Entrepreneurship and Space Technology. Entrepreneurship was completely new for me, but I learned how to build a business model, think about customers, and present an idea like a startup founder. SpaceTech was equally exciting—we studied satellites, rockets, and the possibilities of space exploration.
Then came the 10xTC SharkTank. I was the first one to pitch my startup idea, BioTag. I was nervous but determined—I even cancelled a trip to Hyderabad to prepare, working day and night on my pitch for four days straight. In the end, the hard work paid off—I won ₹10,000 funding!
My Startup: BioTag
BioTag is a wearable livestock health monitoring system. Farmers often don't realize when their animals fall sick until it's too late, leading to huge losses. BioTag solves this problem by using sensors, microcontrollers, and cloud connectivity to track vital health parameters like temperature, activity, and movement patterns.
With AI integration, BioTag can detect unusual patterns early and send alerts, helping farmers take action before it's too late. Through research, I learned about the massive market potential—India has one of the largest livestock populations in the world, yet lacks affordable, tech-enabled solutions.
The idea came directly from what I learned at 10xTechClub—IoT, AI, design thinking, and even entrepreneurship. Without these learnings, BioTag would have just been a random thought. With 10xTC, I was able to transform it into a real-world, fundable idea.
Industry Visit: Mahindra Makers Lab
One of the most memorable parts of my journey was visiting Tech Mahindra's Makers Lab, and it happened to be on my birthday, 16th April—truly the best gift ever!
At the Lab, we got exposure to cutting-edge technologies like Quantum Computing. During the tour, we saw their QuadBot, a quadruped robot being developed for the Indian Army. We also learned about INDUS, an AI project designed specifically for India, capable of understanding multiple local dialects.
Walking through the Makers Lab gave me a glimpse into the future of technology and inspired me to dream even bigger.
Beyond Tech: Life & Soft Skills
10xTechClub wasn't just about coding and robotics—it completely changed me as a person. We had workshops on Public Speaking and Financial Literacy, and these shaped me in ways I never expected.
Before this, I was a shy and nervous kid who took time to fit in. But after these sessions, I learned how to take a deep breath, calm myself, and "rock the show." My confidence in speaking has grown so much that I can now present, pitch, or even give interviews without fear.
My dressing style and personality also changed—I carry myself differently now. On the financial side, I learned to distinguish between wants and needs, budget my own projects, and even save money wisely. These skills are priceless, and I know they'll help me throughout life.
Technical Skills I Gained
Through 10xTC, I gained hands-on experience in:
- Robotics – working with sensors, actuators, and microcontrollers
- IoT – using Arduino, ESP boards, NFC, RFID, and even Arduino Cloud
- 3D Printing – preparing models, slicing, printing, and post-processing
- Python Programming – from basics to advanced applications
- AI/ML – building models in NLP, CV, and generative AI
- SpaceTech – understanding satellites and deep space challenges
- Entrepreneurship – pitching, business modeling, and startup thinking
This wasn't just theory—I applied these skills in real projects and hackathons, which made learning so much more meaningful.
Looking Ahead
From breaking toys as a kid to building IoT devices and pitching startups, my journey at 10xTechClub has been incredible. It gave me clarity about my future career path—I want to combine AI, space, and entrepreneurship to solve big, real-world problems.
I've gained technical skills, soft skills, and most importantly, the mindset of an innovator. Whether it's presenting confidently, managing money, or building prototypes, these experiences have prepared me for the future.
I'm truly grateful to all my mentors, peers, and friends at 10xTechClub for this amazing journey. And I know—this is just the beginning of something much bigger.
