High school founder. Student leader. Builder of FocusMate.

I build things at the intersection of focus, leadership, chess, and community; and I'm learning by doing, not waiting.

Explore My WorkFocusMate

I'm Ishaan Kodarapu, a high school student who cares deeply about focus, responsibility, and leadership. I've learned most of what I know by building real things (a startup, a chess nonprofit, and Audacity to Start) while balancing school and life as a student.

This site is a collection of what I've built, what I've learned, and what I'm still figuring out.

What I'm Building

FocusMate

A product I'm building to help students improve focus, discipline, and confidence.

Puddletown

A chess community where I learned leadership by organizing programs, supporting students, and building mentorship.

Author

Author of Audacity to Start, a best-selling book on youth leadership and starting before you feel ready.

Chess

The skill that taught me how to think ahead, recover from mistakes, and stay calm under pressure.

Why This Matters

I believe leadership is learned through action. Everything on this site represents something I've actually built, led, or shipped. Not something I plan to do someday.