“Rajesh’s book is an important contribution to explain how to create an entrepreneurial pipeline in any society. This is essential as in an AI world, jobs and opportunities will come from millions of small entrepreneurs than from a few large companies. A must read!

"In Jugaad Innovation, I argued that the world's most resourceful solutions to hard problems don't come from well-funded labs, but from ordinary people improvising with what they have. Rajesh Nair's PreEntrepreneur takes that insight and builds it into a practical blueprint for education. Drawing on his own journey from a village in Kerala to MIT, and grounded in real examples — from a clay-fridge inventor in Gujarat to student-led ventures born over cups of chai — Nair shows how frugal, empathetic problem-solving can be systematically taught, not just admired. This book is essential reading for anyone who believes, as I do, that the next generation of innovators will come not just from Silicon Valley, but from the '98 percent' the world has yet to invite in."

"In an age of accelerating singularity and profound uncertainty, Rajesh Nair’s honesty—about failure, grit, and the quiet moments that shape a life—cuts through some of the noise. PreEntrepreneur is a proposed blueprint for raising the makers and problem-solvers the world may actually need.”

“In the age of artificial intelligence, the most important human capability may no longer be finding the right answer, but discovering the right problem to solve.

Rajesh Nair’s PreEntrepreneur offers a compelling framework for developing this capability—from empathy and problem discovery to innovation, entrepreneurship, and creating meaningful value for society.

As an engineering educator and researcher, I believe this book carries an important message for the future of education. We must move beyond teaching students to solve predefined problems and instead empower them to explore, identify meaningful challenges, create solutions, and validate them with real users.

I strongly recommend this book to educators, university leaders, policymakers, and anyone committed to preparing the next generation to become tomorrow’s innovators and job creators.”

“For Japan, this message is particularly timely. While our education system has excelled in developing strong academic and technical capabilities, the AI era requires us to go further—to cultivate people who can identify meaningful problems, devise new solutions, and transform them into social and economic value.

“PreEntrepreneur: How to Nurture Future Changemakers from Schools Today

The traditional education operating system that is based on a standardised curriculum, penalising mistakes, and measuring potential through exams, requires reimagining. Rajesh's life work has been a persistent journey of reimagining education based on a simple yet profound premise: an entrepreneurial mindset can be systematically nurtured through education.

Drawing on decades of experience as a tech founder, MIT researcher, and pioneer of global grassroots maker movements, he demystifies the path from the classroom to the startup. Grounded in hands-on experiments across rural India, Southeast Asia, and the United States, PreEntrepreneur maps the essential metamorphosis every changemaker undergoes.

Whether you are an educator seeking to convert classrooms into active learning spaces, a policymaker designing scalable workforce initiatives, or a parent preparing a child for the age of AI, PreEntrepreneur provides a field-tested blueprint for transforming untapped potential into fearless leadership.”

"PreEntrepreneur completely changed how I think about entrepreneurship. Rather than focusing only on business, it reveals how confidence, curiosity, and creativity are developed long before someone launches a venture. It is thoughtful, practical, and deeply inspiring."

"Rajesh Nair combines engineering, education, and real-life experience into a framework that feels both accessible and transformative. This book challenges traditional assumptions while offering practical ideas that educators, parents, and leaders can immediately appreciate."

"What stayed with me most was the reminder that potential exists everywhere. PreEntrepreneur shows that innovation isn't reserved for a select few—it grows when people are given the opportunity to explore, build, and believe in themselves."