NDSU graduate makes Forbes 30 Under 30 list with AI app that’s already helping 10,000 students, and there’s $930,000 in funding behind it

An NDSU graduate is turning heads on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, earning national recognition for his revolutionary AI app that’s already reaching 10,000 students across America. Meet Dieumerci Christel, whose Enlightapp platform is solving one of education’s biggest challenges: bridging the gap between teachers and disengaged students who desperately need support.

From Refugee Camp to EdTech Entrepreneur

Dieumerci Christel‘s journey began in a refugee camp in Tanzania at age 13. He immigrated to the United States with a clear mission: solve problems he witnessed firsthand. When he arrived at NDSU to study business, he found what he called “a broken system full of disengaged students with unlimited potential.” That observation became the spark for Enlightapp.

Christel realized teachers desperately needed better tools to truly know their students. Understanding home life, internet access, spoken languages, and personal challenges would transform how educators support learners. This insight drove him to create a platform that puts real data in teachers’ hands instead of guesswork.

How Enlightapp’s AI is Revolutionizing Classroom Connections

Enlightapp uses cutting-edge AI and data science to create what seemed impossible: authentic connections between teachers and students at scale. The platform is free for educators and operates through weekly short surveys that gather crucial insights about each student’s unique circumstances.

The AI-powered surveys capture critical information teachers need: What language is spoken at home? Does the student have reliable internet access? What challenges impact their learning? Instead of collecting data that sits unused, Enlightapp transforms it into data-driven stories that help teachers personalize support. Teachers gain understanding of each learner’s background, boost engagement, and develop the authentic relationships that research proves drive academic success.

Major Funding from Leading Education Investors

The success of Enlightapp caught the attention of powerhouse investors. The platform has raised $930,000 from Techstars, the prestigious startup accelerator, as well as Robin Hood, a NYC-based nonprofit fighting poverty through education and economic opportunity. The Gates Foundation also backed the project, recognizing its potential to transform classroom dynamics nationwide.

This funding validates what educators already know: teachers need better tools to know their students. Enlightapp isn’t adding busy work—it’s removing barriers to understanding. When teachers know what students face outside classroom walls, they can teach more effectively and compassionately. That insight resonates with investors committed to scaling successful education solutions.

Recognition from NDSU and Beyond

Christel’s work at NDSU College of Business laid the foundation for his success. He credits the university’s campus programs that encourage entrepreneurial experimentation, mentoring, and hands-on learning. Today, he serves on the advisory board for the Center for Entrepreneurship and Family Business in the College of Business and remains deeply involved with student innovation programs.

The Forbes 30 Under 30 distinction places Christel among the nation’s rising young founders in education. This recognition reflects both his personal journey—from refugee camp to entrepreneur—and NDSU’s strength in cultivating problem solvers. The university identifies students who spot real challenges, test ideas rigorously, and build solutions that genuinely move the needle on education equity.

What Does This Mean for the Future of Education?

As artificial intelligence reshapes every industry, education stands at a crossroads. Enlightapp demonstrates what responsible AI looks like in schools: tools that empower teachers instead of replacing them, platforms that reveal hidden student needs instead of just processing grades, and technology that strengthens human connections rather than eroding them.

With 10,000 students already using Enlightapp and 40,000 more expected by 2026, Dieumerci Christel is proving that one person’s insight can scale rapidly when backed by great execution and investor belief. His story reminds us that some of the world’s best solutions come from people who lived through the problem—and had the determination to fix it. As more schools adopt platforms like Enlightapp, teachers will finally have the information they need to meet students where they truly are.

Sources

• NDSU Official News – NDSU business graduate named to Forbes 30 Under 30 list
• Forbes – Dieumerci Christel profile on Forbes 30 Under 30 Education 2026
• LinkedIn – Dieumerci Christel founder profile and testimonials

Patrick Graham

Patrick Graham is a business and finance journalist translating Wall Street’s complexities into stories that matter to everyday readers. With extensive experience in financial journalism and economic analysis, this expert journalist provides sharp insights on market trends, corporate developments, and the economic forces affecting daily life. His reporting helps readers make sense of the business world’s biggest moves.