**Meet the World’s Youngest Billionaires: A Trio of 22-Year-Olds from Silicon Valley**
In an incredible twist of fate, three high school friends from the Bay Area have just made history by becoming the world’s youngest self-made billionaires. These ambitious 22-year-olds are the founders of Merkor, a recruiting startup that’s making waves by helping big tech labs train their AI models. With a recent funding round of $350 million, led by Felic’s Ventures, their company is now valued at a stunning $10 billion. What’s more impressive? They accomplished all of this not even a year after launching!
Brendan Foody, the CEO, Adar Hiramath, the CTO, and Surya Mida, the board chairman, all started their journey together as members of their high school debate team. Who would have thought that those late-night debates over who would win the argument would lead to winning in the business world? They have successfully turned their competitive spirits into a lucrative tech empire that has put them at the top of the charts for young entrepreneurs. Each has a significant stake in Merkor, which has now made them billionaires.
The trio are not just any young techies; they are also Teal fellows. This program, launched by billionaire investor Peter Thiel, awards young innovators with $100,000 grants to skip college and focus solely on their entrepreneurial dreams. Clearly, it has paid off big time! Unlike some of their peers, who were balancing college life, these founders chose a different path that has catapulted them to unimaginable heights. In fact, if Hiramath had followed the traditional route, he would have graduated college just a few months ago instead of joining the billionaire’s club.
The success of Merkor is rooted in its initial mission of connecting engineers in India with U.S. companies needing freelance coders. However, the founders struck gold when they pivoted to the high-demand field of data labeling, pairing PhD-level contractors with cutting-edge AI labs. Their innovative approach has gained significant traction, and as of September, they hit a staggering $500 million in annual revenue, a remarkable jump from just $100 million earlier in the year. It seems that while others are still figuring things out, these three are racing ahead.
Interestingly, their rise has also cast a spotlight on their commitment to their work. With such busy schedules, they’re not out buying flashy cars or extravagant homes. Foody shared that he typically leaves the office around 10:30 p.m. six days a week. It’s all about focusing on building the future and, at least for now, the founders are keeping their eyes on the prize. If their hard work and dedication are anything to go by, this young trio is likely just getting started in what promises to be a remarkable journey in the tech world.
So, as they continue to shape the AI landscape, one thing is clear: Merkor’s story is just beginning, and these three friends are turning out to be quite the force to be reckoned with. In a world where tech legends are often made overnight, their story gives hope to many young entrepreneurs dreaming big. It’s a tale of determination, innovation, and the sweet taste of success at a remarkably young age!
