“I started watching YouTube tutorials when I was seven. I didn’t know then that my summer coding camp would turn into a business by high school.”
— Zach Yadegari
The Beginning: A Curious Kid and His First Lines of Code
It all began with a curious seven-year-old boy whose mom signed him up for a summer camp. That boy was Zach Yadegari, and that single decision changed the course of his life.
While most kids were busy gaming and exploring playgrounds, Zach found something different — coding. He started learning HTML and Python, spending hours watching YouTube tutorials and writing simple programs. What began as a fun hobby soon became a passion.
By age ten, he was already teaching his classmates how to build small games. Teachers called him a “coding prodigy.” It was an unusual label for a child, but it reflected his growing dedication to technology.
Teenage Hustle: From a School Project to a Business Sale
By the time Zach reached high school, his coding skills had evolved into something more — an entrepreneurial mindset. At just fourteen, he created a website called Totally Science, a gaming platform that allowed students to play browser games through school Wi-Fi.
What started as a fun idea for friends turned into a viral success. Within months, millions of students were visiting the site daily. The project exploded in popularity and caught the attention of buyers.
At sixteen, Zach made his first big move — selling the website for a six-figure amount.
“I sold my first app at sixteen. That exit changed my view: this isn’t a hobby anymore — it’s real.”
— Zach Yadegari
The sale was more than just a business win; it was the moment he realized how solving a simple problem could lead to something extraordinary.
The Big Idea: Reinventing Nutrition with AI
In 2023, Zach’s curiosity shifted toward fitness and health. While tracking his diet, he found existing calorie apps frustrating — slow, outdated, and filled with manual entries. He wanted something smarter.
That’s when he envisioned Cal AI, an app that uses artificial intelligence and image recognition to estimate calories and nutrients from a simple photo of your meal.
The concept was powerful — quick, accurate, and designed for the modern user. Within months of launch, Cal AI gained millions of downloads and quickly became a trending name in the health-tech space.
And here’s the twist — Zach was still a high school senior balancing exams, a 4.0 GPA, and business meetings all at once.
Living Two Lives: Student and CEO
Mornings were for algebra and school projects. Afternoons turned into coding sessions, investor calls, and late-night debugging.
“I’m still a normal high schooler. I raise my hand in class. I go to prom. I just happen to lead an AI company.”
— Zach Yadegari
For Zach, running a company wasn’t about fame — it was about building something that helped people live better. He often reflected on whether his app was truly making a difference. For him, success meant when a user could scan a meal and instantly understand their nutrition — no confusion, no guessing.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
Zach’s journey offers practical lessons for anyone chasing their dreams.
Start Early, Even Small:
Every big story begins with a single step. Zach began with simple games and small projects, which paved the way for bigger ventures.
Focus on the Problem, Not the Product:
Cal AI wasn’t born out of ambition — it was born from frustration. Solving one real problem can build a stronger business than chasing trends.
Use Smart Tools, Not Big Teams:
Zach and his small team relied on modern AI tools and APIs to build fast and efficiently. Today’s technology gives small teams the power to compete with giants.
Stay Humble:
Even after millions of downloads, Zach stayed grounded, balancing school, family, and friends while keeping his priorities straight.
Embrace Rejection:
Despite his achievements, Zach faced multiple university rejections, including Ivy League schools. But he didn’t let that stop him.
“The bigger failure would have been never trying.”
— Zach Yadegari
Can You Do It Too?
Yes — and you should start now.
The path to success isn’t about age or background. It’s about curiosity, consistency, and courage. Learn a skill that excites you — whether coding, design, or marketing — and start building something real.
Don’t wait for perfection. The best products are built through constant feedback and improvement. Launch early, test, and refine.
Most importantly, take care of your health and mind. Late nights and long hours are part of the grind, but balance will help you last longer and think clearer.
The Next Chapter
Zach plans to attend college — not because he needs it, but because he wants to keep learning and connecting with people who share his drive.
“Through college I will contribute to and grow within that large whole, empowering me to leave an even greater, lasting, positive impact on the world.”
— Zach Yadegari
His vision is to turn Cal AI into a lasting company that changes how people manage their nutrition. Beyond that, he hopes to build more ventures that combine technology, creativity, and real-world problem-solving.
To Zach, age doesn’t define opportunity — skills, persistence, and vision do.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a high-school student, a college dreamer, or someone doubting your potential, let Zach’s journey be your reminder:
You don’t have to wait until you’re “ready.”
You don’t need permission to start.
The tools to learn, build, and grow are already in your hands.
“You’re either good or not good at what you do — and then the market will decide the results.”
— Zach Yadegari
So start today. Take that idea in your head and turn it into something real. Because one small project can become your million-dollar story — just like it did for a kid who started coding at seven and became a CEO before eighteen.
