In recent months, Shahaan Mirza, a double-degree graduate from Illinois Tech, has been not only working full-time at his family's consulting business but also co-founding TownHallOS, a nonprofit startup. This venture is dedicated to developing AI-powered tools aimed at enhancing civic engagement. Mirza attributes his drive to a family ethos that emphasizes good will and community involvement. Throughout his educational journey at Illinois Tech, he balanced numerous projects and roles, attaining recognition on the dean's list and membership in the Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society.
Mirza's interest in the convergence of technology, policy, and entrepreneurship has been a lifelong pursuit, influenced by an entrepreneurial upbringing. "I’ve always been passionate about the intersection of technology, policy, and entrepreneurship," Mirza states, an interest clearly reflected in his work at TownHallOS. His upbringing and work environment have taught him the value of solving new problems daily, spurring his inclination towards entrepreneurship.
While residing in Northern Virginia, Mirza engaged in public policy during high school as a member of the Loudoun County Youth Advisory Council. His involvement in civic-tech initiatives expanded in college through participation in the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers community.
At Illinois Tech, Mirza became an active member of entrepreneurship organizations and attended the Ed Kaplan Family Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship. He evolved from novice to mentor for other students' startups, gaining experience through internships, including an extended venture capital immersion in Chicago.
Simultaneously, Mirza held leadership roles in various university organizations and was honored with the Clinton E. Stryker Distinguished Service Award. With guidance from mentor Nik Rokop, Mirza undertook the Master of Technological Entrepreneurship alongside his ITM degree, which provided him with vital technical and business skills.
Mirza's personal experiences, such as a zoning conflict in Virginia, inspired the foundation of TownHallOS. The startup aims to simplify political engagement with user-friendly tools and resources. "TownHallOS is designed to provide you with a personalized, organized feed of information," Mirza explains.
The tools are being introduced in Cook County, Illinois, and Loudoun County, Virginia. Mirza aspires to support innovation in sectors like climate tech, civic tech, and education through future work in venture capital. "You can look at any problem and there are a lot of cool solutions you can build, but all those solutions require funding," he notes.