Let me share a story that inspired the founding of Pinecone Foundation and underscores the challenges of participating in international Olympiads.

In 2006, I was honored to be selected to represent Mongolia at an international Olympiad in Mexico. However, without a Mexican embassy in Mongolia, securing a visa became a difficult task. We had to apply through the embassy in China, which led to long delays. At one point, it seemed unlikely that I would be able to participate due to approval issues. Thankfully, through a connection at the South Korean embassy, we finally obtained the necessary visa.

Yet, participating in such prestigious events comes with significant financial requirements. Despite our efforts to secure funding from the Ministry of Education, administrative delays held up approval, leaving our families and teachers to bear the financial burden. To ensure my participation, some teachers even had to mortgage their homes to obtain a loan.

This experience profoundly highlighted the differences and challenges faced by Mongolia's talented youth in accessing global opportunities, especially in fields like technology. It became clear that equal access to resources and support is essential for every child to pursue their dreams without financial hardship.

Motivated by my personal experiences and challenges, I founded Nest Foundation.

Our mission is to empower Mongolia's youth by providing essential resources, mentorship, and financial support needed to excel in international competitions and Olympiads.