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

Hi Maanav, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
In the summer of 2022, I had the opportunity to visit the Aleti Atom Orphanage in Hyderabad, India. This remarkable orphanage, dedicated to supporting individuals with mental disabilities, was home to over 500 people. However, relentless monsoons and flooding had devastated half of their residence, forcing the administrators to fit all 500 members into just two two-story homes.
Determined to make a difference, I founded Mathillumina, a non-profit organization that empowers students through math while transforming lives globally. Through math competitions and boot camps, we raise funds to support orphanages in need, starting with Aleti Atom. But our impact didn’t stop there. Fueled by our mission, we expanded across continents, reaching orphanages in Tanzania, South Africa, and Canada. What began as a spark of inspiration has grown into a movement—one that uses education to build hope, opportunity, and a brighter future for children around the world.

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.
Mathillumina is the first and largest youth-led nonprofit dedicated to using mathematics as a tool for global impact. We host math-related events—competitions, boot camps, and workshops—not only to educate and inspire our local communities but also to fundraise for orphanages around the world.

Our impact is twofold: we ignite intellectual curiosity amongst our local communities by teaching advanced math concepts, and we use the funds we raise to provide essential educational resources for orphans globally. For the Aleti Atom Orphanage in India, home to 500 children, we raised over 19,000 Indian Rupees to help rebuild their facilities, supply books, and provide food. We even traveled to the orphanage to personally serve their first sponsored meal.

Expanding our reach, we partnered with Orphans Africa and Education Without Borders Foundation, raising over 425,000 Tanzanian Shillings to sponsor the education of orphans in Tanzania. The journey hasn’t been easy—countless hours on Zoom with administrators, navigating international currency challenges, and taking multiple flights—but the moment we saw the joy on the children’s faces when they learned their education was secured, every obstacle became worthwhile

At Mathillumina, our goal is to bring education for all and not leave a single learner behind! Mathillumina is growing, our impact is expanding, and our mission is unstoppable. Together, we are shaping a future where every child, no matter where they are in the world, has access to the education and opportunities they deserve.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend came over, the first place I’m taking them is the bustling New York City. The Big Apple is the entertainment hub of the world, so we would go to a broadway play everyday! Hamilton, West Side Story, Mamma Mia – classics that would take enjoyment to the next level! We would take days to enjoy the urban architecture and the historical wealth of New York City: The Museum of Natural History, the Met, Central Park are all iconic New York landmarks that we would definitely visit.

NYC is also the culinary capital of the world! Everyday would be a different cuisine: Chinese at Jiang Nan, Italian at Grotta Azura, Mexican at Amor Loco, we would find something new to eat everyday. After all, one can never run out of options in the city that never sleeps!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my incredible math teacher, Dr. Chandrasekhar Mantravadi. He didn’t just teach me math—he ignited a passion for problem-solving and instilled a mindset that shapes every aspect of my life.

For two hours every day during my middle school years, Dr. Mantravadi sat with me, not just to ensure I got the right answers, but to make sure I truly understood the approach—the logic, the precision, the rigor. Through those lessons, I gained far more than mathematical skills; I learned the power of perseverance, critical thinking, and attention to detail.

That detail-oriented mindset became the foundation for everything I do—from leading Mathillumina to excelling in school and beyond. His unwavering dedication to my growth transformed the way I tackle challenges, and for that, I am eternally grateful. Thank you, Dr. Mantravadi, for shaping the student, leader, and person I am today.

Website: https://mathillumina.godaddysites.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maanav-chittireddy-ba67682b8/

Image Credits
Pictures taken by Maanav and the John P. Stevens TEDx Club

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