Biography:Arjun Sharda
Arjun Sharda | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Coder |
| Years active | 2023-present |
| Known for | Founding TLEEM |
| Website | arjunsharda |
Arjun Sharda (born May 17, 2011 in Santa Clara, California) is an American coder, founder, and speaker. He is the Executive Director of TLEEM, a nonprofit that helps K–12 and college students build social capital and networking skills to explore future careers.[1]
Early life and education
Sharda grew up in Austin, Texas, where he currently resides. He began coding at the age of seven years old.[2][3]
TLEEM
In October 2023, Sharda founded TLEEM (Arabic: تعليم, meaning education) at twelve years old as a school club at Running Brushy Middle School.[4] Since then, it has became a nonprofit organization helping K–12 and college students build social capital, confidence, and networking skills.[5] As of 2025, that TLEEM has a membership of over 4,000 students from eleven countries[6], and is headquartered as a 501(c)(3) organization in Round Rock, Texas[7]. In April 2025, TLEEM launched a pilot program funded by Walmart, Allagi Capital, which provides non-dilutive microgrants to underrepresented student projects in the Austin, Texas metropolitan area.[6][8]
Awards and recognition
Sharda has been recognized as a Student Hero by the Texas State Board of Education and being honored with a formal resolution for his efforts with TLEEM.[9][10] He has received commemoration letters from Texas Governor Greg Abbott and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz.[11][12]
References
- ↑ Walton, Farrah (2024-06-28). ""I want to utilize my life," 8th grader starts non-profit that expands to 7 countries" (in en). https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/i-want-to-utilize-my-life-8th-grader-starts-non-profit-that-expands-to-7-countries.
- ↑ Spikes, Maya (2023-06-08). "Young tech student breaks world record while starting his entrepreneurial journey - Rising Innovator" (in en-US). Rising Innovator. https://www.risinginnovator.com/2023/06/young-tech-student-breaks-world-record-while-starting-his-entrepreneurial-journey/.
- ↑ "12-year-old tech entrepreneur: I ‘founded a nonprofit organization called TLEEM’ to advance education efforts" (in en). 2024-03-25. https://lonestarstandard.com/stories/657242728-12-year-old-tech-entrepreneur-i-founded-a-nonprofit-organization-called-tleem-to-advance-education-efforts.
- ↑ Figueroa, Fernanda (2024-02-22). "12-year-old Round Rock boy starts nonprofit to develop tech, leadership skills" (in en-US). https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2024/02/22/12-year-old-round-rock-boy-starts-nonprofit-to-develop-tech-leadership-skills/72442534007/.
- ↑ "About TLEEM" (in en-US). https://tleem.org/about.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Wagner, Lauren (2025-04-23). "Texas Teen’s Nonprofit Helps Kids Across the World Gain Networking Skills" (in en-US). https://www.the74million.org/article/texas-teens-nonprofit-helps-kids-across-the-world-gain-networking-skills/.
- ↑ Thompson, Kelsey (2024-01-30). "12-year-old Round Rock student launches nonprofit to empower others" (in en-US). KXAN. https://www.kxan.com/news/local/round-rock/12-year-old-round-rock-student-launches-stem-nonprofit/.
- ↑ Sjoberg, Brooke (2025-04-10). "Nonprofit started by Round Rock youth to begin offering micro grants for young entrepreneurs" (in English). https://communityimpact.com/austin/round-rock/nonprofit/2025/04/10/nonprofit-started-by-round-rock-youth-to-begin-offering-micro-grants-for-young-entrepreneurs/.
- ↑ Agency, Texas Education (2024-07-03). "State Board of Education Celebrates 2024 Student Heroes" (in en-US). https://sboe.texas.gov/state-board-of-education/sboe-news/state-board-of-education-celebrates-2024-student-heroes.
- ↑ Rivera, Jessica (2024-09-04). "Round Rock 8th grader gets special recognition" (in en-US). https://www.fox7austin.com/video/1511210.
- ↑ Nuylan, Nalani (2024-01-02). "Round Rock student, programmer starts nonprofit to better the world" (in en). Williamson County Sun. https://www.wilcosun.com/news-round-rock/round-rock-student-programmer-starts-nonprofit-better-world.
- ↑ "Round Rock student launches nonprofit organization" (in en). 2024-01-29. https://austinjournal.com/stories/653951078-round-rock-student-launches-nonprofit-organization.
 |  |
