Pranav Mistry, born in Palanpur, Gujarat in 1981, is one of India’s most celebrated inventors. Today, he’s widely known for pioneering the SixthSense gesture-control technology, leading innovation at Samsung’s STAR Labs, and founding TWO, an AI startup focused on India-first applications.
🎓 Education & the Maker Mind
After a Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering from Gujarat University, Pranav went on to earn his Master of Design from IIT Bombay, followed by a Masters in Media Arts & Sciences at MIT’s famed Media Lab. There, his inventions ranged from intelligent sticky notes and pen-like 3D drawing devices to TaPuMa—an interactive public map that acts as a physical-world search engine.
✨ The SixthSense Breakthrough
In 2009, Pranav introduced SixthSense, a wearable system combining a camera, projector, and gesture tracking to turn the physical world into an interactive surface. It was declared “Invention of the Year” by Popular Science and landed him on MIT Technology Review’s TR35 list of top innovators under 35.
🛠️ Leadership at Samsung STAR Labs
Joining Samsung in 2012, Pranav rose to become CEO and President of Samsung Technology & Advanced Research (STAR) Labs. He led product innovation on landmark devices like the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch, Gear 360 camera, and foldable display tech. During this time, he was known as one of “the best inventors in the world” by Chris Anderson and was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2013.
🌐 Founding TWO and SUTRA AI
In mid‑2021, Pranav left Samsung to launch TWO, an AI and mixed‑reality startup building SUTRA, a multilingual generative AI model with support for over 50 Indian languages. He has urged India to move beyond copying Western large language models and instead build “world models”—AI systems that deeply analyze real-world structured data for governance, agriculture, and other critical systems.
🧭 Civic Engagement & National Role
In 2025, his alma mater Vidyamandir Trust celebrated his appointment as a Cybersecurity Advisor to India’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), highlighting his growing influence beyond academia and industry.
🎓 What Makes Pranav Special?
- Innovator-meets-designer: His background in design, tech, and human-centered research helps craft tools that feel intuitive and powerful.
- Future-focused yet grounded: From Mythological inspiration to real AI applications for local needs, he balances vision with empathy.
- Thought leadership with impact: He speaks globally—from TED to global summits—on AI, metaverse, and how technology can empower people meaningfully.
🔍 Highlights at a Glance
| Aspect | Contribution |
| Major Innovations | SixthSense, Mouseless, Sparsh, Quickies, Blinkbot, Galaxy Gear |
| Leadership | CEO of STAR Labs, Global VP at Samsung, Founder & CEO of TWO |
| Recognition | TR35 (MIT), Inventor of the Year (2009), Young Global Leader (WEF) |
| Vision Today | Democratizing generative AI via SUTRA, advising on AI for India |
🧠 Why Pranav’s Work Matters
In an era of rapid automation and cultural complexity, Pranav Mistry offers something rare: technology designed for humans. His emphasis on interaction through gesture, speech, and even local language AI—as opposed to just screens—speaks to a future where tech adapts to us, not the other way around.
Whether you’re interested in wearable tech history, innovation ecosystems, or India’s tech-forward future, Pranav’s story offers insight, inspiration, and a roadmap for how bold ideas can become global impact.