My First Million cover image

My First Million

The high schooler making $20M a year

Mar 17, 2025
Zach Yadegari, a remarkable high school student, launched the AI-powered calorie tracking app Cal AI, achieving $20M in just 10 months. He shares his incredible journey from selling his first business at 16 to navigating the challenges of youth entrepreneurship. Zach discusses his influencer marketing strategies and reveals how he innovatively solves problems with AI. With a unique perspective on leadership and the importance of adaptability, he emphasizes the need for mentorship while balancing school and business.
01:14:49

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Zach Yadegari exemplifies the power of AI in revolutionizing calorie tracking, achieving $20M in revenue within just ten months.
  • The significant role of influencer marketing in Cal AI's rapid growth highlights how social validation can drive app success.

Deep dives

Innovative App Development

The development of Cal AI, an app for automatic calorie tracking by taking pictures of meals, showcases a unique blend of technology and practicality. It uses advanced AI features to provide accurate nutritional information, achieving an impressive accuracy rate of about 90%, which surpasses traditional FDA nutrition labels that can be quite erroneous. The app was the brainchild of a high schooler who recognized the tediousness of calorie tracking and leveraged AI advancements to create a solution that simplifies users' experiences. Within just ten months of its inception, the app has generated substantial revenue, demonstrating the potential impact of innovative technology on everyday challenges.

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