Who is Zach Yadegari? An 18-year-old rejected by Ivy Leagues, now the founder of a million dollar AI empire

Zach Yadegari is 18 years old and has already built a technology business that generates millions in revenue. His story challenges traditional ideas about college and career success. He shows that learning, persistence, and practical experience can open doors without following the usual paths.
Learning to code earlyYadegari started coding at seven. By ten, he was teaching others how to code and charging $30 per hour. He created a website called Totally Science , which allowed students to play video games without downloads or registration. The site brought him his first six-figure income. These early projects gave him experience in building a business, working with customers, and managing projects before finishing high school.
From ideas to Cal AI At 16, Yadegari began working on app projects. One of them became Cal AI, a calorie-tracking app that uses image recognition to monitor diet. He launched it in May 2024 with partners Henry Langmack, Blake Anderson, and Jake Castillo. The app grew quickly, reaching $30 million in annual revenue. Yadegari created it after realizing how difficult it was to track calories accurately during his own fitness routine. The app focuses on usability, allowing people to log meals by taking a picture rather than manually entering every item.

Cal AI’s growth shows how young developers can spot problems in daily life and build solutions that many people find useful. Yadegari and his team handled coding, design, and marketing themselves, gaining practical experience that few classroom settings can provide.
Facing Ivy League rejectionsEven with a 4.0 GPA and a 34 ACT score, Yadegari was rejected by Stanford , MIT , Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Princeton. He received offers from Georgia Tech , University of Miami, and University of Texas . He chose the University of Miami for its social environment, preferring opportunities to meet people and learn outside the classroom rather than focusing on prestige.
College as a learning experienceYadegari initially enrolled in the business school at Miami. Later, he switched to philosophy and continues with one entrepreneurship course. He has said that most of what he learns in class is less valuable than running a business himself. College is important to him for the social experience and the chance to explore different ideas, but he views it as a supplement to practical learning rather than the main path to success.
Lessons from Yadegari’s pathYadegari’s story reflects a broader trend among young innovators. Many are questioning whether elite colleges are necessary for building careers. Instead, they are focusing on skills, entrepreneurship, and technology projects. Yadegari’s journey shows that results, impact, and problem-solving ability can matter more than a degree from a top university.

From teaching himself to code at seven to co-founding a company generating millions at 18, Yadegari offers a model for young people who want to explore alternatives to traditional education. His experience shows that it is possible to build a career through creativity, learning by doing, and persistence. It also demonstrates that education can take many forms, and success is increasingly measured by what people can create and accomplish rather than where they went to school.
The takeawayYadegari continues to explore business ideas and technology projects. He still attends some classes but spends most of his time on ventures that interest him. His approach suggests that college can be one part of a larger learning journey rather than the only route to achievement.

Zach Yadegari’s story is a reminder that young people today can define success on their own terms. It shows how determination, practical experience, and curiosity can lead to outcomes that traditional paths cannot always provide.