Aarav Verma

Aarav Verma grew up in India, where he was already turning heads — exhibiting at Art Expo New York and the Florence Biennale as a teenager, and raising funds live on national television. He brought that same creative boldness to Melbourne when he moved to study Computer Science at Deakin University, pivoting from fine arts and fashion into AI and software engineering. Now a VC 100% Scholar maintaining high-distinction grades, he mentors fellow students through Deakin's Call Mentor program while interning as an AI Engineer at Brokernote. Aarav co-founded Hoddle Melbourne out of a conviction that international students don't lack ability — they just need someone who's been through it to show them the way.