“Working through a math problem is like fitting puzzle pieces together — if you take the right steps, the pieces fit together perfectly, allowing you to reach the right answer,” Vikram said. “I also love that math impacts so many different areas, helping doctors, scientists, builders, students and artists achieve success and change lives in their fields.”
That love of math led him to create an app called Flash, and has earned him a nomination for the prestigious Edison Awards, which showcases some of the world’s top innovators and their products.
Vikram said he first got the idea for Flash in 2018, while in the ninth grade, when he was asked to buy a graphing calculator for class.
“I found that these calculators were really expensive and their design hadn’t been improved or upgraded in years,” Vikram, 17, said. “With this in mind, I started developing an advanced computing platform that was affordable, easy to use, and could use natural language to perform mathematical operations.”
Thanks to that idea, Vikram launched his company, Neurogram, while still a high school freshman, and Flash was one of the first products developed.
“Flash can complete a wide variety of mathematical operations,” Vikram said. “Users can use Flash to solve basic math, algebra, linear algebra, advanced calculus, advanced trigonometry, geometry, probability and statistical problems. Flash will analyze their request and provide accurate results, diagramming graphs when helpful.”
After developing a prototype in 2019, Vikram said it took about five months until Flash was officially launched early the next year.
“We created several initial versions of the app, improvising and adding new features based on our users’ feedback, and officially launched Flash in 2020,” Vikram said. “We are continuously improving its natural language capabilities, adding new features, and also working on Flash PRO for professionals which we plan to launch next year.”
Vikram said the app is being used in more than 35 countries and growing. He explained the app is proving popular in many developing countries and in disadvantaged neighborhoods where smartphones, not laptops or desktop computers, are the only accessible technology.
“I became aware that the vast majority of students ... do not have easy access to calculators that would assist them in solving math problems,” Vikram said. “I created Flash with the knowledge that math is increasingly pervasive in everything we do and technology can help users reach right answers with greater speed and efficiency.”
Vikram said users can select their country of origin since English is spoken in different ways across the globe, and the app uses their preferred natural language. He said the app has no ads and does not collect any personal information. Once downloaded, to open the app, all a user has to do is tap the microphone icon and ask a math question.
Vikram said he was surprised to learn his company was nominated for a 2022 Edison Awards.
“It is an honor to be nominated among so many innovative companies,” he said. “I am humbled and deeply appreciative of the work being done across the nominees to solve problems and help users find success.”
During his high school years, Vikram has volunteered at non-profit organizations that include the MillHill Child and Family Development Center, the Children Home Society of NJ and HomeFront NJ. One thing he developed was ZoneBall, a new game based on the principles of basketball, partnering with the Windsor Athletic Club and Team Elevation NJ to organize ZoneBall fundraiser games.
“I started volunteering in ninth grade because I wanted to help students improve their STEM skills,” Vikram said. “I began volunteering at these organizations … where I developed tutoring materials for STEM courses and coached students.”
Vikram also started RISE Coding School to help students learn coding skills.
“Everyone can be good at math,” he said. “Just like any other skill, it needs focus and effort to become excellent at it. I would encourage you to seek out different resources — your teachers, apps, books, websites, to better understand each math concept as it applies to real life scenarios.
“I have no doubt that this will help you learn to improve your skills and use math in new and creative ways.”
Named after Thomas Edison and launched in 1987, the awards’ mission is to be a leader in globally recognizing, honoring and fostering innovation and innovators to create a positive impact in the world, according to the awards’ website. The nominees will gather in Fort Myers, Florida, in April, where winners will be announced.
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