Nineteen-year-old Zach Yadegari raised USD 10 million for his AI startup, Persona, after getting rejected by 15 universities including Harvard and Stanford. The young entrepreneur previously co-founded Cal AI, which generated over USD 30 million in annual revenue. He now uses his skills to build a helpful personal AI assistant.
Rejected by 15 universities, including prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Yale and Stanford, 19-year-old Zach Yadegari has raised USD 10 million for his latest AI startup, Persona. The young entrepreneur previously co-founded calorie-tracking app Cal AI, which reportedly generated more than USD 30 million in annual revenue before being acquired by MyFitnessPal.
He is now developing a personal AI assistant designed to help users manage everyday activities. According to TechCrunch, the funding round was led by Vine Ventures, with participation from Cory Levy, founder of Z Fellows, and Collective Global.
HOW ZACH YADEGARI STARTED HIS TECH JOURNEY
Yadegari, an American entrepreneur from Long Island, New York, began learning computer programming at the age of seven. His early interest in technology soon led him to launch several business ventures while still in school.
Alongside software development, he explored robotics and research, serving as president of his school's robotics club. He also won a research competition for developing a novel prosthetic-hand feedback system, reflecting his interest in applying technology to practical problems.
According to Business Insider, one of his early projects was Totally Science, a gaming website that allowed students to access games otherwise blocked on school networks. He reportedly sold the platform for approximately $100,000 when he was just 16.
This early experience laid the groundwork for his subsequent ventures, including the calorie-tracking app that brought him wider recognition in the technology industry.
HOW DID COLLEGE REJECTIONS SHAPE HIS JOURNEY?
Last year, Yadegari attracted widespread attention after revealing that 15 of the 18 universities he applied to had turned him down. These included prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Yale and Stanford.
The outcome surprised many observers because he reportedly had a 4.0 GPA, an ACT score of 34 and an established business venture. He eventually enrolled at the University of Miami, continuing to pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions alongside his education.
In 2024, Yadegari co-founded Cal AI, an app that allows users to estimate the calorie content of their meals by uploading photographs. The app offered a convenient alternative to manually logging food intake, tapping into growing interest in fitness, nutrition and technology-driven health tracking.
In March 2026, MyFitnessPal announced its acquisition of Cal AI for an undisclosed amount. According to TechCrunch, the app had surpassed 15 million downloads and generated more than $30 million in annual revenue within two years.
The acquisition marked a significant milestone for Yadegari, demonstrating how a product developed by a young entrepreneur could grow into a substantial business.
WHAT IS PERSONA, AND HOW DOES HIS AI STARTUP WORK?
After leaving MyFitnessPal in June, Yadegari began developing Persona, an AI assistant designed to help users manage everyday activities.
The startup plans to launch a $179 wearable device in December, activated through a button or wrist movement rather than continuous listening. Persona is currently in beta on iMessage and has attracted a few thousand users, Yadegari told TechCrunch.
He said the company would not sell users' conversations to advertisers, although sponsored shopping recommendations would be part of its business model. Persona's success will depend on its ability to earn users' trust and stand out in the competitive AI market.
WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR THE YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR?
From learning to code at seven and selling a gaming website at 16 to co-founding Cal AI and raising $10 million for Persona, Yadegari has pursued an unconventional path in the technology industry.
Persona's long-term success will depend on its ability to earn users' trust, deliver practical value and stand out in an increasingly competitive AI market.