Manipal: The forces working behind the scenes often have the greatest influence on the success of an idea, organisation or individual. This was the central theme of TEDxMAHE, held at the Gangubai Auditorium of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) on Sunday under the theme ‘Out of Focus’.The event featured speakers from the fields of entrepreneurship, sustainability, literature and digital fitness, who shared insights into the often-overlooked factors that shape outcomes.Nikkitha Shanker, co-founder of Superbryn, which builds reliable voice-AI systems for complex real-world human interactions, spoke about resilience in the face of repeated setbacks. She recalled being unable to clear a competitive examination despite spending three years preparing for it after high school. She later faced 72 rejections from investors while seeking funding for her company. Creditediting her father as her source of motivation, she said his support helped her persevere and eventually build a successful company.Divya Hedge, founder of Baeru, which uses technology to tackle ocean waste while creating sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities, spoke about building organisations that can function independently. She emphasised that a company’s success should not depend on the constant presence or visibility of its founder, but on systems capable of sustaining its mission and operations. “Build something that makes you redundant,” she said, highlighting the importance of creating organisations that can thrive beyond the individuals who establish them.Writer and poet Smita Sahay, founder and editor-in-chief of ‘Usawa Literary Review’, drew attention to stories that often remain outside mainstream narratives.Recounting a personal experience from Dhanbad, she spoke about the human cost of mining. She underscored the need to bring the experiences of marginalised communities into public discourse.Digital fitness storyteller Daniel J Samuel spoke about how a physical injury at the age of 17 ended his aspiration to become a professional footballer. However, the setback did not sever his association with the field. He went on to build a career in a related area, illustrating how life can take unexpected turns, and how purpose can be rediscovered even if a dream is shattered.
