From Passion to Progress: Pooja Sachin's Impact in Robotics and Learning

From Passion to Progress: Pooja Sachin's Impact in Robotics and Learning

At BAGGGEL, we celebrate the exceptional journeys of women leaders who inspire change and make an impact. Today, we are delighted to feature Pooja Sachin, a trailblazing entrepreneur who has carved her path in the fields of Robotics, AI, and Coding, proving that passion and perseverance can turn challenges into opportunities.

Pooja’s journey began with a deep curiosity for Electronics and Physics, which she channeled into founding Robomations in 2015. Starting with just ₹90,000 earned from a summer camp, she defied societal norms and built an all-women organization that has transformed how students learn about technology. From operating out of her home for six years to establishing labs in schools and launching robotics kits, Pooja has constantly evolved her vision to reach thousands of students across Bangalore and beyond.

Her resilience is inspiring—whether overcoming financial and societal hurdles, adapting during the pandemic, or supporting other women in achieving financial independence. Pooja’s commitment to creating a platform for learning and growth is matched only by her determination to empower the next generation of innovators.

To dive deeper into her inspiring journey, we asked Pooja a series of questions about her experiences, challenges, and vision—here are her insights.

1. Background and Career Path

- Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to your current career path?

I am an Electronics and Communication Engineer by qualification. Since childhood, I have been curious and always driven towards Physics. During my academic journey, I discovered my passion for Robotics, Electronics, and Coding.

When I started as an intern at a company named Electrono, I realized I could turn my passion into reality. This led me to found Robomations in 2015, a year after completing my degree in 2014.

- What were your initial goals when you started your career, and how have they evolved?

My initial goals were to evolve into different business models and reach more students in Bangalore. Now, the vision has expanded to go nationwide with our upcoming vertical, offering kits to students to explore and learn more.

From starting with just 130 students in 2015, we now have 7,000 students enrolled in our courses. This growth reflects our commitment to bridging the gap between industry needs and school curriculums through quality education in Robotics and Coding.

2. Challenges and Overcoming Them

   - What significant challenges have you faced in your career, especially as a woman in your field?

1) Lack of family support, as the expectation was to get married the year after graduation. Choosing to start a company led me to leave my parents' home at 22 with only ₹90,000 that I earned from a summer camp in 2015.

2) No financial or emotional support from my family.

3) Constant societal judgment, as people valued stories of success and money over stories of struggle.

I overcame these challenges with discipline. I understood that with discipline, anything could be achieved over time. Gradually, financial stability improved, and we now have an office after operating from home for six years.

I also envisioned supporting other women in achieving financial freedom, making ours an all-women company. This brought its own challenges, as some team members left due to marriage or starting families, but the vision remained strong.

What started with just one female employee has now grown into a strong team of 15, all of whom contribute to achieving our vision of empowering women through financial independence.

   - Can you share a specific instance where you had to overcome a significant obstacle or setback?

During COVID in 2020, my husband lost his father to a heart attack, and we faced a financial crunch due to business shutdowns. My husband worked two jobs to stabilize us while I focused on bringing the company back. 

We introduced online coding classes and started sending robotics kits to parents, which marked a turning point.

3. Achievements and Milestones

What achievements are you most proud of in your career?

  1. Receiving two scholarships at IIMB, sponsored by Goldman Sachs.

  2. Sustaining the company for a decade as an all-women organization.

  3. Adapting to the new normal during COVID by initiating online classes for coding and robotics.

  4. Successfully evolving through different business models:

- Is there a particular project or initiative that you believe significantly impacted your career or your organization?

The introduction of online classes significantly impacted us. It provided parents with clarity about our work, leading to recommendations to other parents and schools. This allowed us to establish labs in schools, growing our reach from 700 students to 7,000 students across Bangalore.

We’ve sustained and grown the company over the last decade through bootstrapping, relying entirely on word of mouth and prioritizing the quality of our services above all else.

4. Work-Life Balance

   - How have you managed work-life balance throughout your career, and what advice would you give to others struggling with this?

Work-life balance during the hustle is more of a myth. Sacrifices and learning are inevitable. For me, having a supportive partner who understands the need for long working hours has been essential.

My advice to others is to avoid guilt and stay clear about their goals. The steps taken today will have a positive impact in the future. Reducing guilt makes the journey more fulfilling and content.

5. Mentorship, Sponsorship & Support

   - Have you had mentors, sponsors or supporters who significantly influenced your career? How did they help you?

Yes, the heads of institutions I worked with became mentors. I observed and learned from them, never hesitating to ask for advice. Their perspectives, especially as women in education, deeply influenced me and helped me grow wiser with time and experience.

- How important do you think mentorship, sponsorship and support is in career development.

They are crucial and should follow this order:

  1. Mentorship

  2. Support

  3. Sponsorship

Without wisdom from mentorship, sponsorship cannot be utilized effectively. Emotional support provides clarity and strength to pursue goals, aligning all three elements for impactful results.

6. Diversity and Inclusion

   - In your experience, how has the landscape for women in your field changed over the years?

There are still very few women entrepreneurs in robotics. The field of AI, Robotics, and Coding remains male-dominated. Change is yet to come, as I know only a couple of women in this field who work with schools.

 - What do you believe companies can do better to support diversity and inclusion in the workplace?

As an all-women company, we prioritize inclusion and diversity, offering opportunities for team members to grow. Companies should create similar spaces and encourage women to thrive in technology fields.

7. Advice and Insights

 - What advice would you give to young women starting their careers in your field?

  1. Self-confidence is key.

  2. Upgrade your knowledge every six months.

  3. Start your career with clear intent and stay committed to your path.

- Are there any resources (books, courses, networks) you recommend to professionals aspiring to grow in your industry?

In the growing era of technology, the internet is your best friend for exploring and learning new trends in Robotics and AI.

8. Future legacy & Sisterhood

  - Looking forward, what goals or objectives do you have for the next phase of your career?

I aim to grow the company, spreading knowledge nationwide and introducing new courses. This will help students explore technology and shape their careers, leaving a lasting impact.

To grow the company to spread knowledge to more students across the country and expand to new geographies of the country with bringing in new courses for students to explore not just that also to diversify our reach to students who are aspiring to have a career in the same field so this way it is not just a course at school but a course that is making an impact in students lives for their career

As we approach our 10th year, our aim is to expand our reach to 100,000 students, providing them with the tools and knowledge to explore technology and prepare for careers in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

 - How do you hope to influence or inspire the next generation of women in your field?

By emphasizing that technology and knowledge are not gender-biased. It's about learning, implementing, and overcoming skepticism about making mistakes.

9. Personal Growth and Learning

  - Can you share a lesson or piece of wisdom you've learned that has significantly influenced your personal or professional life?

  • Personal: Embrace the glorious mess you are. There is no universal right or wrong; everyone has unique experiences. Don't judge yourself, even if others do.

  • Professional: Never stop learning. In this fast-paced technological era, staying updated is crucial. The attitude of "I know it all" is detrimental.

  - How do you approach continuous learning and staying updated in your field?

Avoiding laziness and resisting the comfort zone are critical to thriving in the rapidly evolving field of technology. It's essential to focus on upgrading relevant skills and setting aside dedicated time for targeted learning. By identifying the key areas of development required for career advancement, one can avoid unnecessary distractions and concentrate on mastering what truly matters.

10. Impact and Contribution

  - What impact do you hope to leave on your industry or community?

  1. Train more educators to spread knowledge in Robotics and Coding.

  2. Simplify technology for students and adults.

  3. Develop impactful courses that shape students' careers.

  4. Empower more women to join the technology field.

11. Being CEO Ready

   - What are the top 3 skills or experiences that you believe are important for women to be CEO Ready?

1) Time management

2) The skill of letting go of failures, ( forgiving self for making any mistakes in decision making so that in the future the failure doesn’t cloud their judgement for decision making) 

3) trusting the process that they have put in place and people they have assigned to get the process done.

    - What is the next big step in your life to being CEO Ready?

Having been a CEO for a long time, my goal is to continuously improve and learn from the best.

12. Experience with BAGGGEL

      - How has being a member of BAGGGEL impacted or added value to your career or personal growth?

As a new member, the two meetings I attended reassured me about my ideologies. BAGGGEL has inspired me to dream big and follow my unique path.

Can you share a specific experience or aspect of BAGGGEL membership that has been particularly influential for you?

In one meeting, a coin activity led by Ms. Aparna asked us to share a significant event from the year on our coin. Coincidentally, I got 2010, the year I declared to my classmates that I would become an entrepreneur. People laughed then, but now, a decade later, I’m living that reality. This experience gave me the strength and confidence to grow further.

This experience gave me strength to be reassured which influenced me confidence to grow more and doubt to disappear.

Looking Ahead: Pooja Sachin’s Vision for Impact

As Pooja reflects on her remarkable journey, her unwavering commitment to empowering women, advancing technology education, and bridging the gap between industry and schools shines through. From humble beginnings with just one employee and 130 students to a thriving community of 7,000 learners, her vision continues to expand.

With a goal to reach 100,000 students by the 10th anniversary of Robomations, Pooja is not just building a company—she’s building a legacy. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience, discipline, and the belief that meaningful change begins with a single step.

At BAGGGEL, we’re proud to support leaders like Pooja, who are driving change and inspiring the next generation of innovators and changemakers. Together, we continue to break barriers, foster growth, and create a more inclusive future.

Here’s to empowering dreams, one step at a time.

At BAGGGEL, we celebrate such inspiring journeys, where our members thrive as leaders and changemakers, breaking barriers every step of the way.

Thank you

Vibhuti Agrawal PhD

Analytics & Product Leader | 40 under 40 Data Scientist | Innovaccer | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | IIT-Delhi

8mo

Pooja Sachin Wow.. this is so inspiring and motivating!! Thank you so much for sharing.

Bindu Shiji

Science Teacher at Lake Montfort School - India

8mo

Proud of you Pooja. You are a motivation to all of us too

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