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Metadata

ID:
2025-05-30-nilima-achwal-alpha-schools-discussion
Participants:

Conversation with Nilima Achwal

Overview​

Gary Sheng and Tim Joo had an engaging discussion with Nilima Achwal, an education innovator, fund manager (The New Earth Fund), and co-founder of Female Founders Lab. Nilima expressed deep passion for new educational models and significant interest in Alpha Schools' mission and approach.

Nilima's Background & Work​

  • Passion for New Paradigm Education: "I'm just so passionate about what is the future of ed, you know?"
  • Current Project: Developing a "faith-formative, values-based sex ed for middle schoolers," which is coming out nationally.
  • Female Founders Lab: Co-founded this initiative with a collaborator.
  • The New Earth Fund: Manages this fund, which has six focus areas, including "New Paradigm Education." Fundraising is reportedly "going well."
  • Focus on Systems Change: "We focus on systems change, basically. It's like for large, old industries like healthcare and education, it's the centralized... these old, old industries are no longer functioning."
  • Belief about Education: "Education is so behind."
  • Found Alpha Schools: About a year ago via a LinkedIn contact who recognized her passion for education.

Alpha Schools Discussion​

  • Gary & Tim's Role: Described themselves as being in "growth and community alignment" and "community development" for Alpha Schools. "We have this big vision and movement that we need to do in order to expand awareness... there is better options for education in America, right?"
  • Critique of Current System: "The current educational system in America seems like they're producing kids for 1995 instead of 2035."
  • Alpha's Journey: "They spent the last 10 years iterating and basically piloting with their own kids, the founders... With a bunch of these pilot schools. So, they're now ready to more or less spread the gospel more actively."
  • Alpha Activators: Term for community members who "understand how much paradigm shift needs to happen."
  • Expansion: Pilots in Miami (wrapping up first year), with eight new campuses opening around the country (Vidai, New York, Santa Barbara, etc.). Austin is the "proving ground."

June 14th Alpha Activators Event​

  • Invitation Extended: Gary and Tim invited Nilima to an "Alpha Activators event on June 14th" at the Alpha middle and high school campus, two blocks away.
  • Event Purpose: "Getting influential people, including parents in Austin, but also some people flying out from out of town, just to talk about the future. A candid conversation about the future, the current state of education. And what we can all do together."
  • Programming: A "whole suite of programming for a couple of hours."
  • Vision: "This is like day zero for this big thing... My dream, or our dream, is to expand these all over the nation."
  • Showcasing Students: Will showcase exceptional kids and their work.
  • Nilima's Response: "Let me know about the event. That sounds fun." She also offered, "I'd be happy to speak if you need to speak."

Capital Factory Student Pitch Event​

  • Invitation: Nilima was invited to see Alpha students pitch at Capital Factory from 4-6 PM on the day of their meeting.
  • Context: Opportunity to see students working on projects that are "impressive, right?" even for college graduates.
  • Interest: Nilima seemed interested in attending.

Key Quotes​

  • Nilima Achwal:
    • "I'm just like so passionate about what is the future of ed, you know?"
    • "These old, old industries are no longer functioning."
    • "Education is so behind."
  • Gary Sheng/Tim Joo (representing Alpha Schools):
    • "The current educational system in America seems like they're producing kids for 1995 instead of 2035."
    • "We're almost just like street pastors in a way."
    • "Schools are downstream of communities, right?"
    • "It doesn't necessarily have to be parents. It can be empty nesters or people that don't have families that legitimately care about this mission that needs to be done, right?"
    • "Our take is that there are tons of people out there that would be great for aligning with this. Because it's kind of like almost like a legacy-defining mission."

Next Steps​

  • Gary to send Nilima an invite to the June 14th Alpha Activators event via LinkedIn or email (nilimah@thenewearth.fund).
  • Gary to send Nilima information about the Capital Factory student pitches.
  • Nilima to potentially attend the June 14th event and/or the student pitch session.
  • Nilima may refer people to the June 14th event (discussed referencing her as the source).

Overall Impression​

A highly positive and aligned conversation. Nilima's existing passion for education innovation and systems change makes her a strong potential "Alpha Activator" and valuable connection for community building and awareness efforts. Her work with The New Earth Fund, specifically its focus on New Paradigm Education, also presents potential long-term synergies.