Most 15-year-olds are usually caught up in things like the upcoming math test or if their crush might share the same feelings.
However, a growing number of teenagers are harnessing artificial intelligence to create tech startups, focusing more on securing venture funding and launching new products than on prom dates.
Teenagers starting tech ventures isn’t a new trend—think about Mark Zuckerberg, who kicked off Facebook at 19, or Bill Gates, who founded Microsoft at the same age. But now, they seem to be getting younger, fueled by the surge in AI innovation.
“It’s quite surprising how common this is becoming,” remarked Kevin Hertz, a tech expert in San Francisco who mentors young founders in the startup initiative Z Fellows. “It feels very much like an American dream—this entrepreneurial spirit is still very much alive in the U.S.”
Silicon Valley is adjusting accordingly. Recently, Y Combinator, a well-known startup accelerator, introduced a program encouraging young entrepreneurs to apply while still in school. Z Fellows also supports anyone wanting to start a tech company, regardless of age, including those who have dropped out of high school or college.
Not too long ago, parents might have questioned such choices, but nowadays, launching a business early is increasingly recognized as a legitimate path. “These young individuals can do almost anything, positioning themselves as key players in the current AI economy,” Hertz said. “It’s really remarkable.”
Let’s take a closer look at some of these ambitious teens.
Pranjali Awasthi, 19 years old
At just 19, Awasthi has already started two AI companies. Her first venture, Delv AI—a platform that summarizes and analyzes documents—was launched when she was only 14. “I’ve kind of gotten used to people saying, ‘Wow, you’re so young,’” she shared.
After skipping high school and graduating at 16, she briefly attended Georgia Tech before heading to San Francisco. Now, she’s developing her second startup, Slashy, an AI email assistant for entrepreneurs, which is also backed by Y Combinator.
She and her team, which includes 21-year-old Harsha Gadipati and 20-year-old Dhruv Ronta, not only collaborate on their startup but also share living spaces. “It definitely helps strengthen our bond during this journey,” she said.
Zach Yadegali, 18 years old
Despite a 4.0 GPA and impressive test scores, Long Island native Yadegali faced rejections from 15 prestigious universities, including Harvard and Stanford. But that hasn’t phased him; his startup, Cal AI—an app for calorie counting and weight management—is on track to generate $30 million this year.
The idea sparked when he struggled to find effective tools while trying to gain weight. Yadegali initially enrolled at the University of Miami for experience, but he’s more like a typical college student who also happens to own a Lamborghini, bought with earnings from Cal AI.
He’s always felt that age shouldn’t limit entrepreneurship. “I think it’s fantastic because, ultimately, it’s the market that will determine your capability,” he commented last year.
Sidharth Nandyala, 15 years old
In 2024, this Frisco, Texas, teen launched Circadian AI, a smartphone application aimed at detecting early heart disease symptoms by placing a phone near the chest. The app records heartbeats and employs machine learning to analyze data.
Nandyala envisions it as a pre-screening tool for underserved areas, helping healthcare workers identify at-risk patients. “We hope to equip nurses and medical providers in resource-limited areas with the capability to detect cardiovascular issues,” he explained.
Currently the youngest student at the University of Texas at Dallas, he still lives at home due to his age but already finds college has been a significant learning experience.
Sunkalp Chandra, 18 years old
Upon finishing high school in New Jersey, Chandra’s teachers were sometimes surprised to find he’s running an AI company. “Operating a tech startup isn’t your usual extracurricular,” he noted.
Chandra divides his time between classes and working on Reteena, an AI health tech startup aimed at improving Alzheimer’s diagnosis and care. He and his team of co-founders are currently focused on Remembrance, an AI tool designed for reminiscence therapy.
They’re preparing to seek venture capital once he starts college. Although some in the healthcare industry may question the capabilities of young founders, Chandra remains undeterred. “We emphasize our preparedness and research,” he said, explaining how this has sparked interest rather than doubt.
Ayam Bansal and Ishaan Gangwani, 18 years old
Based in San Francisco, this duo has raised $1.5 million for their startup, Synthetic Sciences, including a recent investment from Y Combinator. Their platform serves as an AI assistant for researchers, streamlining everything from literature reviews to experimental processes.
Bansal chose to leave the University of Illinois after just one semester to focus on their startup. He felt that the chance to work on Synthetic Sciences was too valuable to pass up. “College will always be there, but this opportunity might not come again,” he reasoned.
Even for these young entrepreneurs, managing a startup is challenging, especially without the structure of school. “Some days involve everything from meeting investors to managing operations,” he said. “You can’t avoid those tasks, and constantly switching gears can be draining.” He admitted that, at this age, balancing it all while rapidly learning is no small feat.
