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Join us as we introduce each of the teams participating in our 2024 Summer Launchpad accelerator!
Context is a fully AI-generated learning platform that empathizes with learners’ needs and goals to improve their learning experience at scale.
Team Members: Dror Margalit (Tisch ITP ‘24), founder & CEO, and Somya Gupta (Tandon ‘25), CTO
As a high schooler already struggling to fit in with his peers, Dror Margalit also found himself falling behind academically and on the cusp of dropping out of school altogether.
Margalit’s circumstance started to turn around, however, as he realized the capacity for education on YouTube. There, he recognized he could teach himself and learn in an environment that worked for him.
During this experience, Margalit realized the powerful impact an individual's learning environment has on what they believe they can achieve. Years later, he once again felt this influence while learning to code in film school through NYU Tisch ITP. This program not only helped teach him valuable skills, but also bolstered his confidence in his ability to learn, he says.
This journey fueled Margalit’s motivation to build Context. The AI-powered learning platform allows UX/UI designers to learn coding through interactive experiences tailored to their learning goals and needs, so they can gain skills through projects they are passionate about while developing portfolios that differentiate them in the job market.
Below, Margalit and his teammate Somya Gupta share more about their entrepreneurship journeys and inspirations. (Responses have been edited for clarity.)
What began your journey towards entrepreneurship?
DM: Growing up, I saw my mom start her own business, an architecture firm. My dad was also a tech entrepreneur. I saw both of my parents as role models, self-starting businesses and providing a lot of value to people with things that they created on their own, and it really inspired me. When I went to NYU, I knew that this is what I wanted to get out of it. I still wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do, but as I met people I got inspired by the ideas here.
SG: My journey towards entrepreneurship began a few months ago, but I always wanted to become an entrepreneur right from my undergrad. I had this dream that I'd start a company of my own someday. But honestly, I never took any steps towards it because I was always scared and intimidated. Since I came to New York, I’ve been going to a lot of networking events and meeting people, founders, investors, and people who are doing great around New York City in different industries. I think being around such people motivated me and pushed me to do something of my own.
How did you initially find NYU’s entrepreneurial community?
SG: I signed up for an entrepreneurship email newsletter at the NYU Club Fair because I thought one day I would want to start something of my own. In February, I saw that there was a venture showcase happening as part of the Entrepreneur’s Challenge Semi-Finals, which Dror had qualified for. I went to the event at Stern and met a lot of great people and startups who were trying to make it big. I met Dror, and that's how it all started.
What’s the biggest business challenge your startup has overcome so far?
SG: Customer validation and making sure that you have product-market fit because it is important. [Summer Launchpad] has taught us how to get out of the building, get customer interviews done, talk to people about their problems, and see if our solution is actually solving a pain point. The other challenges we've had are validating the revenue model and coming up with a good customer acquisition strategy.It's something we're still learning on the job.
What has been the most rewarding moment of your founder journey so far?
DM: Getting into the Summer Launchpad was something that we consider success because of how selective and rewarding this program is. But [also] even smaller things, such as talking to a potential customer about the idea and seeing how they are excited about it. Because of the amount of uncertainty that early-stage startups have, you think, “Am I even doing the right thing?” But then when you get these small wins, it’s very rewarding.
What three words would you use to describe your founder journey?
BOTH: Challenging, Intimidating, Inspiring
What’s the biggest piece of advice that you’d give to aspiring student founders?
SG: Just get started. It sounds like very basic advice, but trust me, some people don't even do that. Starting is the toughest part, but once you do that, you'll figure it out. Action leads to motivation, and not the other way around. Talk to customers and get coaching from the Leslie eLab’s coaches.
What is your best college experience (either academic or social) at NYU?
SG: I moved here from India 10 months ago. This is a huge jump for me from India directly to New York, and it's been exciting. This college has provided a platform where you get to interact and meet such wonderful people from different backgrounds. My mindset and perspective have changed because I've been able to meet such great people, and it's been made possible because of NYU. You have great food places to try or you can just chill around at Washington Square Park. It's a great experience overall.
Favorite NYU spot to spend time?
DM: Washington Square Park. And for all you [Washington Square campus] students out there, come to the Brooklyn campus!
If you could learn something completely outside of your scope & knowledge, what would it be?
BOTH: Cello and guitar!
