For many students, reading academic papers while simultaneously taking notes and processing information can feel overwhelming, especially when each task seems to compete for the same limited time and attention. For one NC State student, those challenges sparked an idea: what if listening, learning and note-taking could happen seamlessly in one designated place?

That student is Zander Modaress, a senior studying computer science and applied mathematics with a minor in philosophy. Modaress is the founder of Kiku, an AI-powered app available on Mac, iPhone, and iPad that transforms PDFs into interactive learning experiences. While existing text-to-speech platforms typically focus on reading aloud, Kiku was designed with a different goal in mind: helping users engage more deeply with what they consume. 

Recognition at the PDMA Carolinas Student Innovation Competition

During the 2026 spring semester, Modaress participated and earned first place in the PDMA Carolinas Student Innovation Competition, an annual event that brings together student entrepreneurs from colleges and universities across the region to showcase new products, technologies and business ideas. 

For Modaress, the competition presented an opportunity to take a closer look at Kiku and refine the vision and business model behind the app. 

“I wanted something I could really commit to,” he said. “I had to make a seven-page document where I laid out all the parts of the business. 

While the application process was intensive, he saw it as a chance to think critically about every aspect of his venture. As one of the few solo founders in a field largely made up of teams, Modaress spent a lot of time developing both the written portion and video submission of his application. 

“I never took a shortcut using AI.  I made sure that every word was a word I could claim as my own, and I put genuine thought into every aspect of the application, “ Modaress mentioned. 

Modaress believes his authenticity and attention to detail were what set him apart from the other applicants. In tandem with completing the written application, he uploaded a video submission that highlighted not only Kiku’s functionality but the purpose behind it. “I like putting creative effort into the things I’m doing because it shows that there is an actual person behind it creating something they care about,” he explained. 

Reimagining the learning experience

At its core, Kiku was built to solve a problem Modaress noticed across many digital platforms: consuming information and learning from it are often disconnected experiences. 

“The tools that exist right now don’t really let you think deeply about the stuff you want to consume.”

Through Kiku, users can upload PDFs, and the app will automatically remove unnecessary distractions, such as advertisements and page numbers, before converting the material into natural-sounding audio. The platform can also describe charts and graphs in research papers. 

Built with an emphasis on active learning, Kiku allows users to take handwritten notes with the Apple Pencil, record voice notes while listening and automatically convert written text into spoken words. 

“If you’re walking and have a thought, it can put that note into plain text wherever you were listening,” Modaress said. 

Accessibility as a guiding design principle 

Accessibility played a key role in the development of Kiku. Modaress drew inspiration from Speechify founder Cliff Weitzman, who created the platform to help individuals with dyslexia engage with written content in an accessible format. While he admired that mission, he saw it as an opportunity to expand on it. 

“I thought that was really important to incorporate into Kiku,” Modaress mentioned. “There are probably people with dyslexia who are also really interested in note-taking or building on things they can already do in Speechify.” 

By incorporating various modes of accessibility, Kiku creates additional pathways for learners with different needs and learning styles. 

Finding support through the Pack 

Although Kiku was already in development before Modaress joined LaunchPad, an NC State incubator program that supports student early-stage startups, he credits the community for helping him refine his ideas and prepare for opportunities such as the PDMA Carolinas Student Innovation Competition. 

One of the biggest sources of support came from Kenneth Proseus, events and operations manager at NC State Innovation and Entrepreneurship, who helped Modaress prepare for his final presentation for the competition. 

He also found value participating in LaunchPad, where conversations with fellow entrepreneurs provided opportunities to share ideas, receive feedback and stay motivated.

Balancing innovation and responsibility

As someone deeply interested in AI ethics and safety, Modaress spent considerable time reflecting on the responsibilities founders have when building AI-powered products. 

He recognizes that many of the technologies powering modern AI applications, including voice cloning, present both opportunities and risks. While developers cannot eliminate every potential misuse, Modaress believes that thoughtful product design can reduce overall harm. 

“As your product scales, you need to be more aware of the responsibility of what you’re actually doing,” Modaress explains. 

Founders should consider how features are introduced, who can access them and what safeguards should be in place as the product grows. 

A validation of persistence

When Modaress was announced as the first-place winner at the PDMA Carolinas Student Innovation Competition, the moment represented more than a recognition win for Kiku itself. 

For him, the victory served as proof that persistence and effort can pay off even after previous setbacks. 

“I didn’t get VenturePack or Andrews Launch Accelerator (ALA), so to finally see myself get something out of the work I put in was awesome to witness,” he said.

Lessons from rejection and what comes next

Looking back on the last few years of college, Modaress encourages students not to let a rejection define their potential. 

“There are different places that value different things,” Modaress expresses. “There could be a whole group of people in one area that doesn’t value something as much, but in another area they value it an insane amount… You have no way to predict that, so keep iterating and building until you find that community.”

Now available on the App Store and for Mac IOS users, Kiku entered what Modaress describes as its distribution phase as he works to grow its user base and gather feedback. While the app continues to evolve, so too does Modaress’ vision for its future.