Imagine being in your teens and already leading a successful company. Sounds crazy, right? But for some young entrepreneurs, this isn’t a dream—it’s their reality. While most 19-year-olds are still figuring out school or hobbies, these youngest CEOs are already building thriving businesses, changing industries, and creating massive waves in the business world.
These stories are not just about age—they’re about vision, passion, and the relentless pursuit of innovation. So, let’s dive into the journeys of these trailblazing CEOs who managed to build empires long before they were legally able to rent a car!
1. Suhas Gopinath – The Tech Genius at 17
Company: Globals Inc.
Where he is now: Running a multi-country tech company
Started with: A passion for technology
Suhas Gopinath’s story is one of self-taught brilliance. Growing up in a small town in India, Suhas was curious about the internet long before it became a mainstream tool. By 17, he had founded Globals Inc., a company providing web solutions, and was already the youngest CEO in the world at that time. What made his journey remarkable wasn’t just the technology but his persistence. At a young age, he was able to convince investors to back him, proving that passion and vision could outweigh experience.
“I didn’t know the rules, so I just created my own path,” Suhas once said.
Key takeaway:
Suhas didn’t wait for opportunities to come to him; he built his own. By leveraging the power of the internet and focusing on global markets, he turned his childhood interest into a multi-country business.
2. Ben Pasternak – The Teen Who Turned Apps into Business
Company: Flogg → SIMULATE (Nuggs)
Where he is now: Revolutionizing plant-based food
Started with: A desire to create and innovate
Ben Pasternak’s entrepreneurial journey started before he even finished high school. He became the founder of Flogg, a viral social shopping app, when he was just 15. But Ben didn’t stop there. He pivoted into the food tech industry, founding SIMULATE (formerly Nuggs), a company creating plant-based nuggets. By 19, he was not only managing a disruptive tech product but was also at the forefront of the growing plant-based food movement.
What made Ben’s story stand out was his ability to adapt quickly. After building one successful app, he shifted gears to a completely different field and still found success.
Key takeaway:
Ben shows that being adaptable and staying in tune with emerging trends can set you apart. Whether it’s social apps or plant-based food, his story highlights the importance of seizing opportunities in multiple industries.
3. Ritesh Agarwal – The Hotel Entrepreneur at 19
Company: OYO Rooms
Where he is now: One of the largest hotel chains in the world
Started with: A $100 hotel directory idea
Ritesh Agarwal didn’t go to college for long; he dropped out to pursue a dream that was bigger than anything he could have imagined. At 17, he founded OYO Rooms, a budget hotel chain that quickly became a household name in India and expanded internationally. What’s fascinating about Ritesh’s success is his ability to disrupt an age-old industry—hospitality—by providing high-quality, affordable rooms to travelers.
Key takeaway:
Ritesh’s story proves that you don’t need to come from a wealthy background or have years of formal education to build a successful business. It’s about identifying a problem (in his case, unreliable hotel bookings) and finding an affordable, scalable solution.
4. Mikaila Ulmer – The Bee Advocate Who Built a Brand at 11
Company: Me & the Bees Lemonade
Where she is now: One of the most successful young social entrepreneurs
Started with: A lemonade stand and a bee conservation mission
Mikaila Ulmer was just 9 when she decided to turn a bee sting into a business idea. Her lemonade company, Me & the Bees, was inspired by her passion for bees and the urgent need for their conservation. At age 11, she secured a deal with Whole Foods to sell her product, and by 13, she was on Shark Tank, securing investments to grow her business.
What makes Mikaila’s story incredible isn’t just her business success; it’s her ability to merge social impact with entrepreneurship. Her lemonade is not just tasty—it’s helping save bees, and she’s turning a profit while doing good.
Key takeaway:
Mikaila’s success is a perfect example of how purpose-driven entrepreneurship can be both profitable and world-changing.
5. Akshay Ruparelia – The Real Estate Pro Who Did It at 19
Company: Doorsteps.co.uk
Where he is now: Leading a multi-million-dollar online real estate company
Started with: School breaks and an idea to disrupt real estate
Akshay Ruparelia entered the real estate business with a single goal: to make it more affordable for people to buy and sell properties. At 19, he founded Doorsteps.co.uk, an online real estate agency that charged significantly less than traditional agents. The idea came from a simple realization—real estate agents were charging high commissions for services that could easily be streamlined online.
What sets Akshay apart is his ability to spot inefficiencies in established industries and use technology to create better, cheaper alternatives.
Key takeaway:
Akshay’s story teaches us that sometimes the best business ideas come from everyday frustrations. By using technology to solve real-world problems, he turned a simple idea into a successful business.
6. Alina Morse – The Candy Queen Who Built a Health-Conscious Brand at 13
Company: Zolli Candy
Where she is now: Dominating the sugar-free candy market
Started with: A desire to create healthier sweets
Alina Morse was just 9 years old when she got the idea to create sugar-free candy that was both tasty and healthy for teeth. At 13, she appeared on Shark Tank and secured a deal that propelled her business into national retailers. Today, Zolli Candy is a major brand, and Alina has grown into a confident young entrepreneur.
Key takeaway:
Alina’s success story isn’t just about candy—it’s about recognizing the health-conscious movement and finding a way to innovate in an existing market. Her story proves that being ahead of the curve and creating healthier alternatives can pay off.
7. Fraser Doherty – The Jam Entrepreneur Who Started at 14
Company: SuperJam
Where he is now: A jam company that’s a household name
Started with: A family recipe and a lot of heart
At just 14, Fraser Doherty began making jam using his grandmother’s secret recipe and selling it at farmers’ markets. By 16, his company SuperJam was featured in major supermarkets, and Fraser became a teenage millionaire. His success is a perfect example of how passion for a craft can turn into a sustainable business.
Key takeaway:
Fraser’s story shows that staying true to your roots, whether it’s a family recipe or a passion, can set you apart in a competitive market.
8. Jordan O’Connor – CEO at 19
Company: Let’s Go!
Where he is now: Building an app revolutionizing social event planning
Started with: A passion for organizing social events
Jordan O’Connor created Let’s Go!, a mobile app focused on helping people organize social events seamlessly. Inspired by his own experiences with event planning, Jordan saw an opportunity to bring technology into the social scene. By 19, he was leading a fast-growing business with users across the globe. The success of Let’s Go! proved that even young people can identify needs and use their creativity to create valuable solutions.
Key takeaway:
Jordan’s ability to solve common problems with innovative technology helped him build a business that resonated with a wide audience. He proves that understanding human needs is the foundation of a thriving business.
9. Leanna Archer – CEO at 9
Company: Leanna’s Hair
Where she is now: Leading a successful natural hair care brand
Started with: A passion for natural products
Leanna Archer began her entrepreneurial journey when she was just 9 years old. She turned her family’s secret hair care recipes into a thriving business, Leanna’s Hair, which focuses on natural products for healthy hair. By the time she was 13, Leanna had her products in major stores like Whole Foods, and her brand became a symbol of empowerment for young entrepreneurs.
Key takeaway:
Leanna’s ability to combine entrepreneurship with cultural heritage helped her carve a niche in the beauty industry. Her story shows that starting young doesn’t limit success but opens up opportunities to make a real impact.
10. Blake Ross – CEO at 19
Company: Mozilla Firefox
Where he is now: Revolutionizing web browsing
Started with: A desire to make internet browsing better
Blake Ross co-founded Mozilla Firefox, an open-source web browser that quickly became one of the world’s most popular browsers. As a teenager, Blake grew frustrated with the limitations of the browsers available at the time, and he set out to create a better one. By the age of 19, Firefox was launched, and its innovative features turned the browser market upside down. Blake’s success was rooted in his ability to innovate and create solutions for internet users.
Key takeaway:
Blake’s success shows that with passion for technology and a drive to improve existing systems, anyone can create something disruptive. His story encourages young innovators to question the status quo and look for new ways to solve old problems.
Final Thoughts on Young CEOs
These young CEOs have demonstrated that age is no barrier to innovation. Whether it’s solving real-world problems or launching disruptive products, their persistence, vision, and creative thinking allowed them to build successful companies at a young age. The world is evolving faster than ever, and these young leaders are proof that youthful energy and innovation can change the world.
If you’re inspired by their stories, remember: the future belongs to those who dare to take the first step—no matter how young they are.
FAQ’s:
Q1. How can I become a young CEO?
Becoming a young CEO requires a vision for solving a problem, a strong sense of determination, and the willingness to learn and adapt quickly. Surrounding yourself with mentors.
Q2. What challenges do young CEOs face?
Young CEOs often face challenges such as lack of experience, difficulty gaining trust, and financial barriers. However, they can overcome these challenges by focusing on their strengths, building relationships, and learning from their mistakes.
Q3. What industries are best for young CEOs?
Industries like technology, e-commerce, healthcare, and sustainability offer vast opportunities for young CEOs. They tend to thrive in fast-changing markets where innovation is key.
