The idea of creativity thriving in collaboration is not new. But, in logic and science-led spaces, there is often no space to freely ‘tinker’. But drawing from his experiences, Mehar MP is building both an initiative and a space to encourage tech/engineers to learn and innovate through collaborative peer learning.
A Kozhikode native, Mehar moved to Kochi in 2011 to pursue his B Tech. at the Cochin University of Science & Technology. An innovator from the get-go, he started developing apps for the likes of Blackberry while still in college. During his time there, he found himself among those who shared his vision. But, he was also motivated to do something of his own. About a year into his engineering course, he founded a startup called Anamega.
The startup was later incubated at Kerala Startup Village. The experience of building this was something that provided him with valuable exposure and opportunities. But he also realised during his time at college was that, to quote Barney Stinson from How I Met Your Mother, “Nothing is legendary unless your friends are there.” For Mehar, sharing his innovations, knowledge, and experiences with his friends and fellow makers was as important as building.
While he was still in college and involved in many projects, Mehar and his friends were seeking a space to collaborate, learn from each other, and do experiments beyond their classroom's limits. Most colleges, including theirs, had limitations. But Mehar and his friends convinced a few professors to support their idea. This led to the establishment of a space within the college's Incubation Centre. Students gathered here after class, exchanging knowledge and collaborating on projects. The community they fostered was a big success. This hub sparked the creation of TinkerHub.
Many people who were part of this space and initiative went on to start their own startups or join other organisations. Mehar joined Kerala Startup Mission as a fellow after graduating. But even after becoming an employee, he continued to champion the cause of creating 'tinker' spaces.
Inspired by the achievements of his peers, Mehar realised that similar spaces could be replicated in other colleges. Through this, he saw the potential to promote a culture of peer learning and innovation. “For us, makers are anyone who can create," he explains. "Since our area of focus is technology, we want people to create things using technology, and there's a joy in creation that's very fundamental to that. The byproduct could be getting a good job, But mostly we, at TinkerHub, want to share in the joy and ownership that one gets when creating something truly your own.”
Over the years, TinkerHub’s model has been applied to colleges across Kerala, through accessible spaces that are establishing technology as approachable and learnable. In replicating the community-driven learning model in other institutions, Mehar and his team could see how these spaces encouraged peer-to-peer learning and tech innovation. The students who frequented these spaces aced hackathons, won scholarships, and gained significant opportunities.
Eventually, Mehar committed full-time to developing Tinkerhub, and to the initiative of establishing tinker spaces across various locations. He was driven by the belief that providing the right environment and resources could significantly enhance tech education and innovation among students. According to Mehar, the foundation promotes the idea of having a maker mindset among tech and engineering students, encouraging them to create and innovate in their own unique way. Seeing a need for an accessible space open to more people, the TinkerHub team set up TinkerSpace, a stone’s throw away from their old college.
A space for tinkerers
Today, TinkerSpace provides a collaborative environment for makers that align with their perspective and values. While there have been many markers of the initiative's success, one of the biggest would be the investment and support of renowned developer and tinker-er Kailash Nadh of Zerodha.
The chance to facilitate the experience and satisfaction of making something innovative and of promoting community-centric learning through Maker Parties and Hackathons is what keeps Mehar and the foundation going. Making their presence known especially in colleges located in varied (and remote) locales, the TinkerHub team strives to provide equal opportunities for students from underrepresented areas. They seek to provide them with the same exposure and opportunities as those in more privileged institutions.
But when talking about the long game, Mehar mentioned how he is hoping that the work they are doing at TinkerHub and TinkerSpace is nurturing a generation of tech innovators, who can disrupt and create for the greater good.
