For Aditya, innovation didn’t begin with a perfectly defined product. It began with curiosity and a desire to solve real-world problems. Like many early-stage researchers, he had promising technology, but no clear path to impact.
That changed when Aditya began structured customer discovery through I-Corps.
“Before I-Corps, my customer wasn’t a specific person—I just had a general idea of who might use the technology, but no clear path to validate it. During I-Corps, the structured customer discovery helped us talk to water treatment professionals in the Fargo area, which led us to pivot from a purely ocean‑focused solution to serving land‑bound regions with lakes and rivers. That process ultimately expanded our vision from water treatment to broader climate intelligence applications.”
Before participating in I-Corps, Aditya was navigating multiple ideas and research directions, working to understand where his technology could create the most value. Through the program’s emphasis on customer discovery, he stepped out of the lab to engage stakeholders, test assumptions, refine use cases, and ultimately identify where his work could truly make an impact.
Rather than guessing at applications, Aditya began building solutions grounded in real customer needs; an approach that continues to guide his work today.
Building Entrepreneurial Momentum
I-Corps didn’t just clarify Aditya’s direction, it helped accelerate his next steps.His venture, CleanSentinels, has since gained recognition as a finalist in Innovate ND, while also participating in the Harvard Business School Foundry Bootcamp where he continues to develop skills in venture creation, strategy, and commercialization.
His ability to translate complex research into clear and compelling ideas has been recognized through the 2025 NDSU Three Minute Thesis Innovation Award, awarded by NDSU’s Center for Entrepreneurship.
The same momentum extends to Aditya’s research.He has assisted his advisor in writing various grants and recently one of the grant was awarded (USDA SUN grant) to support a new research project. He was later awarded the 2026 NDWRRI (North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute) Fellowship, further validating the relevance and impact of his work.
Together, these achievements reflect a powerful combination: strong technical expertise paired with a deep understanding of customer and stakeholder needs.
Aditya’s journey is a strong example of what can happen when researchers embrace customer discovery early in the innovation process. His story highlights an important truth: innovation isn’t just about great ideas—it’s about ensuring those ideas solve real problems for real people.
And with the right tools, support, and mindset, that transformation is possible.