When two titans of tech and creativity come together, you can be sure the internet will feel the tremors. That’s exactly what happened when Indian tech creator Techburner and American science influencer Mark Rober joined forces during Rober’s high-profile tour of India. The collaboration between these two innovators wasn’t just about content—it was about amplifying curiosity, inspiring creators, and showing a new generation how science and technology can be engaging, entertaining, and yes, even cool.
Shlok Srivastava, better known as Techburner, has long been one of India’s most loved YouTubers for his easygoing, high-energy take on gadgets, DIY tech, and consumer innovation. With millions of subscribers and a rapidly expanding brand, he’s made technology approachable for the masses—breaking down complex tools and making sense of specs in a way that resonates with the everyday viewer. So when news broke that he would be collaborating with Mark Rober, the excitement was palpable.
Rober, a former NASA engineer turned YouTube phenomenon, is celebrated globally for his science-based builds—glitter bombs, backyard squirrel obstacle courses, and underwater escape rooms, to name a few. His channel doesn’t just teach science—it celebrates the creative process and makes experimentation thrilling. The fusion of his engineering genius with Techburner’s street-smart tech flair promised something special.
Their collaboration began at the Waves Summit, a major STEM-focused event held in India, where Rober was a keynote speaker. Techburner attended the event not only as a fan but as a collaborator. After a lively backstage meetup, the duo set out to film a special episode for Techburner’s channel—a rare mix of tech teardown, hands-on gadget building, and discussions about how engineering and digital content are evolving in parallel.
Techburner challenged Rober to take a humble, locally sourced gadget—an inexpensive hand mixer—and improve it using his signature engineering style. At first glance, it seemed like a silly premise. But as the cameras rolled, the duo dove deep into what made the mixer work (or in some cases, not work). What unfolded was a blend of science, creativity, and humor. Rober, with his laser-focused attention to detail, began calculating torque, redesigning blade angles, and even suggesting 3D printing certain parts for better efficiency. Techburner, ever the relatable anchor, kept the conversation fun and grounded—asking questions that represented what any average viewer might wonder.
The best part? It wasn’t about building a perfect machine. It was about exploring the process. The two didn’t shy away from mistakes, false starts, or even failed prototypes. They embraced them. Rober often says that real science is messy—and this video brought that philosophy to life. Together, they rebuilt the mixer into something powerful, unexpected, and comically over-engineered.
Yet, what really stood out was the cultural exchange that came through their interactions. While Rober brought the refined polish of American maker culture, Techburner introduced Rober to the concept of “jugaad”—India’s famous frugal innovation mindset, where necessity truly is the mother of invention. The idea that solutions don’t always have to be expensive or complicated struck a chord with Rober, who praised the practicality and cleverness behind Indian everyday hacks.
Their conversation drifted into deeper topics as well—how content creators are shaping education, how YouTube is evolving into a platform for experiential learning, and how they see the next generation engaging with science and tech. It was an inspiring dialogue, showing mutual respect between two creators who, despite their different backgrounds, shared a passion for breaking down barriers to knowledge.
The response from fans was overwhelming. Comments flooded in from students, tech enthusiasts, aspiring engineers, and even educators who said the episode was one of the most insightful pieces of content they’d seen in months. Many remarked on how the collaboration blurred the lines between education and entertainment, proving that learning can happen in the most unexpected ways.
For Techburner, the collaboration was a moment of global visibility. For Rober, it was an introduction to India’s vibrant creator economy—an ecosystem bursting with talent, humor, and innovation. Together, they sparked conversations about cross-border collaboration, and how creators from different continents can come together to make something truly meaningful.
Jugaad Contest 2025
Mark Rober, YouTube personality and former NASA engineer, public enemy #1 of neighborhood squirrels, & creator of the sparkliest glitter bomb pranks, is coming to India and giving away ₹5 lakh each to ten lucky inventors. The Jugaad Contest 2025 will run from April 30, 2025, to September 15, 2025.
HOW TO ENTER
Post a video on Facebook, X, YouTube or Instagram of your most creative, innovative Jugaad invention using everyday household items. The contest is open to ages 8+. If you are under 18 years of age, your entry must be posted and submitted by your parent/legal guardian. Go to markroberjugaad.com to enter the contest.
Important: Provide the link to your post with your Jugaad invention. Posting a video on social media alone will NOT result in entry. Your entry will NOT be accepted without the link to the post.
Hashtag: Use #MarkRoberJugaad and make sure your social media profile is public.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Contest ends at 11:59 PM IST on September 15, 2025. Open to legal residents of India aged 8+. See Official Rules for full details including entry procedure, prize description, and judging criteria. Void where prohibited.
Sponsor: CrunchLabs LLC, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 USA. Not sponsored by any social media platform.
About Mark Rober
With over 68 million YouTube subscribers and 11+ billion views, Mark Rober has become a global symbol of entertaining science. After years as a NASA engineer, he exploded onto YouTube with videos featuring squirrel obstacle courses, glitter bombs, Nerf gun builds, underwater traps, and more.
In 2022, Rober revealed his secret project—CrunchLabs, a massive creativity factory in the San Francisco Bay Area. The lab produces monthly STEM toys and exclusive videos that make engineering fun and accessible for kids and teens. CrunchLabs’ “Build Box” and “Hack Pack” have become a hit with hundreds of thousands of subscribers across the globe.
Rober is also the brain behind viral philanthropic movements like #TeamTrees (20M trees planted) and #TeamSeas (30M pounds of ocean cleanup). His charity livestreams and collaborations have raised millions for education and autism support.
His social reach includes:
lYouTube– 68M Subscribers
lFacebook– 5.3M Followers
lTikTok– 3.7M Followers
lInstagram– 2.4M Followers
lTwitter– 515K Followers
In the end, Techburner x Mark Rober wasn’t just a YouTube collab. It was a celebration of two different but deeply connected worlds—the precision of engineering and the accessibility of tech communication. It showed that science doesn’t need to be confined to labs, and that gadgets are more than just tools—they’re entry points into the wonder of how things work.
And as the video wrapped up with both creators smiling over a hilariously powerful, reinvented kitchen appliance, it was clear: when innovation meets influence, engineering doesn’t just get cooler—it gets an upgrade.
