Meet Lavanya Prahallad

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lavanya Prahallad and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lavanya, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
At Research Spark Hub, we create positive societal impact by helping high school students become confident, capable young researchers. Our programs give students the chance to work on real-world problems and explore topics they care about—from science and technology to social issues. This early exposure to research teaches them important skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, writing, and communication. We also help students build strong research portfolios with papers and articles that make their college applications stand out. Many of our students pursue projects that tackle real-world challenges such as public health and environmental issues. In doing so, they not only deepen their own learning but also contribute positively to their communities by addressing local needs through informed, action-driven work. By guiding young minds through hands-on learning and mentorship, we help shape a more thoughtful, skilled, and socially aware generation. Our students have gone on to gain admission to prestigious institutions such as Duke, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, and UT Austin, testament to the strength of their research experience and academic readiness.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career has been a blend of technical expertise, educational innovation, and a deep passion for creating meaningful impact through research and mentorship. With over a decade of experience at companies like Google, Amazon, and Apple, I’ve worked on speech recognition, natural language processing, vendor management, and multilingual data collection. What sets me apart is how I’ve bridged this industry knowledge with a commitment to empowering the next generation of learners.

I’m especially proud of founding Research Spark Hub, a platform that enables high school students to engage in real-world research across STEM, AI, humanities, and beyond. We don’t just teach – we mentor, guide, and co-create. Watching students grow from curious thinkers into confident researchers with tangible outcomes like papers and presentations has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my journey.

The path hasn’t always been easy. Moving from academia to corporate tech and then into entrepreneurship brought its share of challenges, moments of doubt, long nights, and steep learning curves. But every step taught me how to lead with empathy, communicate across disciplines, solve problems creatively, and stay true to my purpose.

The most important lesson I’ve learned is that learning is not linear. Real growth happens when you take risks, face uncertainty, and keep moving forward. I want the world to know that Research Spark Hub isn’t just a mentoring platform, it’s a movement to give students a voice, a vision, and the tools to become the changemakers our world needs.

My story is one of connecting worlds: technology and education, industry and mentorship, research and accessibility. And I’m just getting started.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friends were visiting the Bay Area, I’d want to give them a truly memorable experience—something that blends natural beauty, delicious Indian food, and all the little things that make living here so special.

We’d start right in Dublin, where I live, and kick things off with some of my favorite Indian food spots. Mylapore is perfect for a comforting South Indian breakfast, and Chaat Bhavan never disappoints when it comes to a flavorful, satisfying lunch.

For outdoor adventures, we’d head to Mission Peak in Fremont. It’s a bit of a climb, but the view from the top is always worth it. If we felt like something more relaxing, a peaceful walk through the redwood trails at Muir Woods or a visit to the campuses of UC Berkeley and Stanford would be just right. I’d love to show them the energy and inspiration of those academic spaces.

We’d definitely spend a day exploring San Francisco. From the beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge to the liveliness of downtown and the calm of the beaches, the city has its own kind of magic that’s impossible to miss.

Of course, we’d squeeze in some shopping at the San Francisco Premium Outlets in Livermore before the trip winds down. It’s a fun way to take a break, catch up, and maybe find something to remember the trip by.

To end the visit on a perfect note, we’d spend time at a spa, chatting, laughing, and reliving old memories. And finally, we’d track down a favorite food truck that serves chai and bun muska, a simple treat that brings back so much nostalgia. There’s something incredibly special about doing the same things we once did years ago and realizing how much joy there is in good company, good food, and a little adventure.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m incredibly grateful to a number of people and experiences that have shaped my journey. First and foremost, I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to the amazing students I’ve had the privilege to mentor through Research Spark Hub. Their curiosity, drive, and resilience continually inspire me to keep growing and building something meaningful.. I’m deeply grateful to my husband, Kishore, whose unwavering support has been my rock. His quiet strength, encouragement, and belief in me have grounded me through every step of this journey. A heartfelt thank you to my co-founder, Sreerekha, for believing in me and for working alongside me to bring this vision to life. Her dedication, clarity, and collaborative spirit have been a driving force behind our progress.
I also want to recognize the board members, directors, mentors, and my Sadaakapi family who believed in me. Their encouragement and guidance helped me appreciate the power of learning by doing—a principle that now anchors everything we do at Research Spark Hub. Together, we’re working every day to make learning more accessible, inclusive, and impactful. This journey wouldn’t be the same without their passion and energy.

Website: https://www.researchsparkhub.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lavanyap/