I built a $50M AI app in high school (and just sold it for...) - My First Million Recap

Podcast: My First Million

Published: 2026-03-05

Duration: 1 hr 10 min

Guests: Zach

Summary

Zach, a 19-year-old entrepreneur, shares his journey of creating a successful AI app, Cal AI, that achieved $30 million in annual revenue before its sale. He discusses challenges, college rejections, and the unexpected support he received along the way.

What Happened

In this episode, Zach, now 19, reflects on his journey since he last appeared on the podcast while still in high school. He reveals that he just sold his company, Cal AI, for an undisclosed amount, but shares that the company was on track to reach over $50 million in revenue for the year after finishing the previous year with $30 million. The hosts express their amazement at Zach's accomplishments, emphasizing his calm demeanor in discussing such impressive figures.

Zach shares his experience with college admissions, having applied to prestigious Ivy League schools with a stellar academic record and a thriving business but faced rejection from all of them. He candidly discusses the surprise of being denied despite having a 4.0 GPA and running a company generating significant revenue. However, this rejection led to unexpected opportunities, as his viral tweet about the situation garnered attention from influential figures, including the mayor of Miami, ultimately guiding him to attend the University of Miami.

As a freshman, Zach balances college life with his entrepreneurial pursuits, admitting to having missed many classes. He jokes about his social life, describing how he and friends threw parties that garnered attention on campus, earning him nicknames like

Key Questions Answered

How did Zach achieve $30 million in revenue?

Zach shared that right before selling his company, they had completed 2025 with $30 million in revenue. In January alone, they reported $5.7 million in revenue, indicating a strong upward trajectory that suggested the potential for over $50 million in revenue for the year.

What was Zach's experience with college applications?

Zach recounted applying to several Ivy League schools, including Stanford, but faced rejection from all of them. He felt surprised given his academic performance, including a 4.0 GPA and a successful company at the time.

What impact did social media have on Zach's journey?

After publicly tweeting about his college rejections, Zach's post went viral, receiving 40 million views. This brought him attention and support from prominent figures, including the mayor of Miami, which contributed to his decision to attend the University of Miami.

What is Cal AI and how does it work?

Cal AI is an app that allows users to track their calories by taking pictures of their meals. The app uses AI technology to streamline the logging process, eliminating the need for manual entry of food details.

How did Zach balance college life with running a business?

Zach admitted that during his first semester at the University of Miami, he had too much fun and missed many classes. He and his entrepreneurial friends threw parties, gaining a reputation on campus, which shows the challenges of balancing academic responsibilities with entrepreneurial endeavors.