A young founder’s journey from an unexpected path to building businesses in the fast growing AI industry.
Not every success story begins with acceptance. Sometimes, it begins with rejection, curiosity, and the courage to take a different road.
At just 19, American entrepreneur Zach Yadegari has already experienced the challenges and rewards of building a business. His journey took a major turn when he co-founded Cal AI, an app that helps people estimate calories in their food using artificial intelligence.
The product gained popularity and grew into a successful business. In March, MyFitnessPal acquired Cal AI for an undisclosed amount. Reports stated that the startup had generated more than $30 million in annual revenue in less than two years.
But Yadegari’s story is not only about financial success. In April 2025, he shared that 15 of the 18 universities he applied to had rejected him, including Harvard, Yale, and Stanford. Despite these setbacks, he continued to pursue his entrepreneurial goals.
After the acquisition, Yadegari worked with his co-founders under the new ownership before leaving in June to begin another chapter.
His next project is Persona, an AI startup focused on developing a personal assistant for everyday tasks. The company is also working on a wearable device priced at $179. Its approach includes privacy features such as data encryption, user-controlled data deletion, and approval before purchases are made.
With $10 million in funding secured for his new venture, Yadegari is preparing to explore another opportunity in the AI market.
His experience offers a useful lesson for aspiring founders: a setback in one area does not have to limit what you can achieve in another. Building a business takes more than a good idea. It requires understanding people’s needs, testing solutions, learning from experience, and adapting when circumstances change.
From facing university rejections to developing products used by consumers, Yadegari’s journey reflects a different route into the world of technology.
Sometimes, the most important step is not getting the opportunity you expected. It is creating an opportunity of your own.
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