In every college, there’s always that one group chat—where memes and birthday wishes bury the only useful file you need for tomorrow’s exam. Most students just sigh and scroll. But Govind Krishna decided to do something about it.
At just 20, and still in his first year of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Govind wasn’t looking to become a founder. He was just trying to study. And failing, thanks to the chaos of class WhatsApp groups.
“The final straw was spending two hours trying to find one set of notes—and ending up not studying at all,” Govind shares with a mix of exasperation and humor. “That’s when I knew the system was broken.”
And so, BLACK was born—not as a startup pitch, but as a lifeline. What started as a tool to organize notes among classmates is now growing into a full-blown movement for student-driven learning. A peer-powered app that makes sure the best academic resources—those from fellow students—don’t get lost in the noise.
From Frustration to Foundation
Govind didn’t want to create just another productivity app. He wanted to solve a problem he was living every day. BLACK’s roots lie in a very familiar student experience: hunting down notes, missing deadlines, and losing track of what matters in the flurry of digital distractions.
“We didn’t need another chat group,” he says. “We needed one clean, smart space where the best notes rose to the top—and stayed accessible.”
That simple goal led to BLACK’s earliest feature: centralized, community-verified note sharing. Govind introduced like/view counts to surface helpful content. But what started as a small fix soon evolved into an entire ecosystem—complete with forums, calendars, to-do lists, and the ability to follow fellow students.
“Every feature was built because a real student said, ‘Hey, I wish this existed.’ And we listened,” he says.
Built By a Student, For Students
Govind approaches design like a student, not a CEO. No jargon. No fluff.
“Speed, clarity, and simplicity—that’s what students need. That’s what we’re focused on.”
From dark mode to intelligent navigation, BLACK is shaped to fit the highs and lows of student life. And beyond utility, it taps into something far more powerful: peer support.
“A student can explain something in a way no professor or textbook can. That perspective is gold,” Govind says, his eyes lighting up.
Likes, comments, and follows on BLACK aren’t about popularity—they’re about creating a trusted, thriving community of learners who uplift each other.
The Reddit Spark
The turning point? A deeply personal Reddit post. Govind poured his heart out about the problem BLACK was trying to solve. It resonated.
“The response blew me away. People didn’t just like it—they said they needed it,” he recalls, still sounding a bit surprised.
From that moment, BLACK began growing organically. No marketing team. No funding. Just students sharing something that finally worked for them.
Beyond Code: A Journey of Grit
Govind’s story isn’t just about building an app—it’s about showing up every day, even when things got tough.
“I’ve faced burnout. I’ve hit bugs that kept me up all night. There were times I stepped away completely. But even then, I couldn’t stop thinking about how to make it better.”
He started coding at 17. Now, at 20, he’s leading a growing platform that’s helping hundreds. His message is clear: consistency matters more than talent or timing.
Staying Human in an AI World
While the tech world rushes to slap on the latest AI features, Govind is deliberately taking a different path.
“I don’t want to add AI just because it’s cool. The soul of BLACK is its people—its community. That’s what makes it different.”
Instead, his focus is on rewarding those people. The next big step? Enabling payouts for contributors. Imagine students earning real income just by sharing great notes or helping others.
“If you’re adding value, you should be rewarded. That’s the future I want for BLACK.”
Final Words from a Young Founder
So, what does Govind say to others who have ideas but feel too small, too early, or too young?
“Start. Right now. Build the simplest version of your idea and stay consistent. That’s how BLACK happened.”
In a world full of noise, Govind Krishna found clarity—and built it into an app. But more than that, he built a movement. One that’s reshaping how students learn, collaborate, and succeed—together.
-By Priyanka Chatterjee
