In today’s edition of our Founder’s Interview Series, we are proud to feature the remarkable journey of 11-year-old entrepreneur Mr. Athvik Amith Kumar, the young mind behind ZOZOconnect. At an age when most children are exploring hobbies, Athvik is leading a digital transformation through ZOZO Digital Business Card — a smart, interactive, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional business cards. His innovation is reshaping professional networking across India, proving that age is no barrier when passion, creativity, and vision come together.

What inspired you to start your entrepreneurial journey so early? Honestly, it all started with curiosity.

Every time I (Athvik Amith Kumar) went to events, I noticed people exchanging paper business cards that got lost, damaged, or forgotten within minutes. I’m growing up in a world where everything from schoolwork to entertainment is digital, but networking is still stuck in the old school. That felt strange to me.

At home, entrepreneurship was always part of the atmosphere. My parents run ServerCake, so conversations about technology, customers, and business ideas were just normal dinner-table talks. Because of that, building something of my own didn’t feel scary or impossible, it felt natural. So when I saw this problem, I didn’t wait for someone older to solve it. I just decided to build ZOZOconnect and fix it myself, Says Athvik Amith Kumar.

That’s really where my journey began: A mix of curiosity, observation, and the belief that age should never limit ideas.

Can you tell us the story behind ZOZOconnect? How did the idea come to you, and what problem are you solving?

ZOZOconnect began with a simple thought: what if sharing your identity could be as quick as a tap?

I wanted business cards to feel more alive, more interactive, and more useful than a piece of paper that people rarely keep. That idea slowly grew into a vision for a smarter, instant way to connect with people.

Using NFC, the same technology behind tap-to-pay systems, we created a smart card that lets someone share their entire professional identity in one seamless tap. No typing, no searching, no missed follow-ups. It turns a simple moment of meeting someone into something meaningful.

Today, we’re focused on perfecting that experience, creating premium, beautifully designed smart NFC cards that make networking simple and

memorable, but ZOZOconnect isn’t just about a card. It’s the foundation for a much bigger vision.

Over time, ZOZO will evolve into a broader smart identity ecosystem, where your professional presence becomes effortless to share, manage, and grow across different digital touchpoints. For me, ZOZOconnect is the start of a journey, turning everyday interactions into smarter, more meaningful connections.

How do you balance school, learning, and running ZOZOconnect?

Balancing school and ZOZOconnect is definitely interesting, but I’ve found a rhythm that works for me. I’m in 6th grade at Shraddha Children’s Academy, and I look at school and entrepreneurship as connected, not separate. When I learn percentages in math, I apply them to pricing and margins. When I study history, I think about how leaders built systems and solved problems. School actually prepares me for ZOZO in ways I didn’t expect.

My routine is simple: mornings are for school, evenings are for ZOZO meetings, ideas, planning, and sometimes testing new features.

Weekends are when I do the deeper work, like thinking through product improvements or new concepts.

The truth is, I enjoy both. When you love what you’re building, it doesn’t feel like you’re “balancing” things; you’re just growing in two different ways at the same time.

What challenges did you face as such a young founder—and how did your family support you?

One of my earliest challenges as a young founder was simply stepping into responsibilities that most people take on much later in life. But in a way, I was already prepared for it. I grew up in a startup environment—my parents run their own company, and since I was little, I would join them for events, office meetings, and product discussions. Listening to those conversations and observing how decisions were made became a natural part of my learning.

Because of that upbringing, starting ZOZOconnect didn’t feel unfamiliar. I had seen the energy, the hard work, and the problem-solving mindset that goes into building something. So when I began working on ZOZO a year ago, I wasn’t starting from zero; I was continuing a journey that began when I was five or six.

My family has been a huge part of this. They guide me like a real founder, not like a kid doing a side project. They help me think through strategies, understand customers, and make thoughtful decisions. It’s the perfect balance of support and mentorship, and it gives me the confidence to face new challenges with excitement instead of hesitation.

What skills or tools did you first start learning to build ZOZOconnect?

When I started building ZOZOconnect, the first skills I focused on were understanding the market and learning how businesses actually grow. I spent time studying how people connect, what professionals expect from identity tools, and how brands position themselves in the premium segment. I also learned about pricing, customer behaviour, and how a product can scale from an idea to a full ecosystem.

Since I grew up around startups, strategy came naturally to me. I enjoy analysing how successful companies build their vision, create strong value, and keep users engaged. I look at their approaches, understand the logic behind them, and then adapt those ideas to fit ZOZO’s stage and goals.

On the technical side, I collaborate with experts who are great at what they do. My focus is on strategy, product thinking, and decision-making; bringing ideas together, shaping the direction, and making sure we build something meaningful.

Many people struggle to build websites or mobile apps. What motivated you to create a platform that helps others build apps without coding?

That’s a great question, and I’d love to clarify it. ZOZOconnect isn’t a no-code app builder; it’s a smart NFC business card platform designed to make professional networking effortless.

While websites and apps are important for many businesses, our focus at ZOZO is on something unique: enabling people to share their identity and connect instantly with just a tap. You don’t need any technical skills to use a ZOZO card. Managing your profile, updating details, and sharing your identity is all simple, intuitive, and designed for everyday users.

So instead of building tools for creating digital products, we’re creating a seamless way for people to introduce themselves, build trust, and make every interaction more meaningful.

How does ZOZOconnect work? For someone who has never used it, explain its features simply?

Imagine you’re meeting someone for the first time. Instead of handing over a paper card, you just tap your ZOZO card on their phone. Instantly, your digital profile appears; your contact information, social links, portfolio, and anything else you choose to share. It works on most modern smartphones, and the other person doesn’t need to install anything.

The card uses NFC technology, which enables contactless actions in a single tap. What makes ZOZO special is how easy it is to update and manage your identity; change your phone number or job role once, and it updates everywhere instantly.

We’re also building features that go beyond sharing a profile. Things like:

• Switching between multiple identities (student, founder, creator),
• Scanning traditional paper cards to store them digitally,
• Syncing with business tools,wallet compatibility,
• Insights that show how people engage with your profile

Looking ahead, we’re working on tools that make events more interactive and building a networking layer that rewards meaningful connections.

ZOZOconnect is all about making introductions smoother and helping people build real relationships without any complexity.

What has been your proudest moment so far as an entrepreneur?

My proudest moments always come from real users. When someone tells me that ZOZOconnect made networking easier or more meaningful for them, it feels amazing. That feedback shows me we’re building something useful, not just another product.

I’ve also felt proud when I’ve been invited to speak at platforms like CII, The StartupPark, Bangalore Tech Summit and Genworks AI, or when I’ve received young entrepreneur recognitions. Those moments make me feel like people see me as a real founder, not just a kid trying something out.

And one moment I’ll never forget is when organisations like StartupTN, StartupSingam and Bharat Ke Super Founders supported us, or when investors showed belief in what we’re building. That kind of trust means a lot.

But above everything, the best moment is always the same, seeing someone use a ZOZO card in the real world. Watching an idea turn into something people depend on is the most rewarding part of this journey.

Entrepreneurship can be stressful even for adults, How do you stay motivated and keep yourself focused?

Entrepreneurship can be intense, but two things keep me focused.

The first is clarity of vision. I’m not just building a product, I’m building a long-term identity and networking ecosystem. When I think about where ZOZOconnect can be in the next few years, it gives me a huge sense of purpose. I break that vision into small, daily goals, and every milestone, even a tiny one, keeps me excited.

The second is momentum. I’ve learned that in startups, consistency matters more than age or experience. Every day, I push ZOZO forward, whether it’s improving the product, talking to users, or planning the next feature, it builds energy. That progress becomes its own motivation.

At the end of the day, I enjoy what I’m doing. When you love the mission you’re building, staying motivated doesn’t feel like pressure, it feels like a journey you’re excited to wake up to every day.

What message would you like to give to students who want to build something of their own?

My message to students is simple, you don’t have to wait for the “right age” or the “perfect moment” to start something. If you have an idea that excites you, begin exploring it today. You’ll figure things out along the way, that’s what the journey is about.

Your age is actually your biggest strength. You see the world differently, you’re not limited by traditional thinking, and you bring creativity that older founders sometimes lose. That fresh perspective is something no big company can replicate.

And always focus on solving a real problem. When you create value, opportunities and growth naturally follow. Start small, stay curious, learn fast, and keep building. You’ll be surprised by how far you can go.

Where do you see ZOZOconnect in the next 5 years? Do you plan to expand into new features or technologies?

In the next five years, I see ZOZOconnect evolving from a smart NFC card into a complete identity and networking ecosystem. The card is just the beginning,the starting point for a much larger vision.

We plan to expand our identity formats, enhance the way people interact at events, and build a platform where professionals can discover each other, learn, collaborate, and grow. The idea is to use smart technology to make networking more intuitive and more meaningful for everyone.

As our user base grows, we aim to introduce premium experiences and subscription-based offerings that add long-term value and create a sustainable revenue model. We’re also exploring ways to protect and secure our innovations as we scale, ensuring that ZOZO develops into a trusted brand for smart identity, Says “Amith”.

Overall, ZOZOconnect in five years is not just a product, it’s an ecosystem that transforms how people share identity, connect, and unlock opportunities in the real world.

What are your long-term dreams not just as a founder, but as a person? What kind of impact do you want to create for India and the world?

My long-term dream is to build ZOZO into a global company that started right here in India, and to show that age doesn’t define what someone can accomplish. I want ZOZO to become a symbol of what young founders in India are capable of when they’re given trust, encouragement, and room to build.

My dream is bigger than just creating a successful company. I want to help change the way people look at young entrepreneurs. Today, kids are often seen as “inspiring” but not always taken seriously. I hope my journey makes it easier for the next generation, so that a 10-year-old with a strong idea is judged on the merit of the idea, not their age.

Globally, my vision is for ZOZO to become the default way professionals exchange identity and connect. When someone says, “Can I have your contact?”, I want the natural response to be, “Sure, just tap my ZOZO.”

On a personal level, I want to build a future where business and values go together; where solving real problems, being ethical, and creating meaningful impact can coexist with building a massive, world-class company. If I can prove that and make the path easier for young builders everywhere, that would be the impact I’m proud to leave behind.

Reach US:

Website Url : https://zozoconnect.com/

Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/athvik-amithkumar/
Linkedin ZOZOconnect – https://www.linkedin.com/company/zozoconnect/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/athvikamithkumar
Instagram ZOZOconnect – https://www.instagram.com/zozoconnect/