Ilhan Valani

The Innovator’s Path: From Circuits to Social Change
 

There’s a moment in every creator’s life when they realize that the tools they hold—whether a circuit board, a line of code, or an idea—can shape the world. For me, that moment came early, at six years old, when a flickering light from a homemade circuit changed my perspective on what was possible. I wasn’t just playing with wires; I was building. My passion for technology wasn’t something that grew over time—it struck like lightning, and from that point, I was hooked. I took classes, worked on increasingly complex projects, and shared my results on YouTube, where over 200,000 people watched my inventions come to life.

As my fascination with hardware deepened, I discovered the world of software. The pandemic, with its quiet days of introspection, became the catalyst for this new obsession. I threw myself into coding and product development, building my Smart Plant Monitor—a device that combined my love for technology and my emerging interest in sustainability. It didn’t just measure moisture or temperature; it became a representation of my desire to create things that solve real-world problems. I wasn’t just learning for the sake of it—I was building for impact.

 

The Power of Voice: A Leader Emerges
 

But my story isn’t just about technology. It’s about finding my voice. That journey began in a place I least expected: a Model United Nations conference. In the beginning, I was the quiet observer, hesitant to speak. But something about that room filled with debate and possibility lit a fire in me. I realized that I had more to offer, and I wasn’t alone—most of the delegates in that room had potential, but they were held back by fear. Over the course of the next four years, I went from reluctant participant to someone who thrived in leadership roles. I didn’t just speak; I led.

What started as a personal challenge soon became a mission. I mentored peers, led teams to win Best Delegate awards in one of the toughest MUN conferences, and became Secretary-General not once, but twice. My leadership wasn’t about being the loudest voice in the room—it was about guiding others to find their own voices. It’s easy to win for yourself; it’s more rewarding to see others succeed because of the groundwork you’ve laid for them.

 

Innovation in Action: Building MunVerse
 

As I grew into my role as a leader, my entrepreneurial spirit began to take shape. It wasn’t enough to just participate in MUN—I wanted to solve one of its biggest challenges. So I built MunVerse, an AI-driven web app designed to help delegates create thorough, research-backed guides. The goal? To ensure that no one ever steps into a conference unprepared. Combining my love for coding with my desire to empower others, MunVerse became a way for me to make an impact on a community I cared deeply about. Watching my peers and countless others use the platform to succeed was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

 

A Heart for Community: Service in Action
 

Leadership and entrepreneurship are two sides of the same coin, but neither matters without giving back. As a board member of the Aga Khan Economic Planning Board, I helped organize a Shark Tank-style event that brought the concepts of business and entrepreneurship to my local community. This event wasn’t just about winning or business ideas; it was about inspiring people to take control of their economic futures. I also spent two years working with Rotary Club International, organizing health and educational camps for underprivileged communities. Seeing the impact firsthand deepened my resolve to use business as a tool for social change.

 

The Future: Merging Business and Technology for Global Impact
 

My experiences with technology, leadership, and community service have led me to one simple conclusion: business is the key to scalable change. Whether it’s through MunVerse, my work in tech, or my community initiatives, I’ve learned that real impact requires not just ideas but the ability to bring them to life and scale them. Business provides the framework to turn innovation into sustainable solutions.

Now, as I prepare for the next chapter, my vision is clear: to merge my technical expertise with entrepreneurial acumen to solve global challenges. My journey so far has been defined by leadership, creativity, and a relentless drive to make an impact—and I know that the best is yet to come.