In a remarkable achievement, Indian-origin friends Adarsh Hiremath and Surya Midha have become the world’s youngest self-made billionaires at the age of 22. Their AI recruiting startup, Mercor, recently raised $350 million, bringing its valuation to $10 billion.

The Founders’ Journey

Raised in San Jose, California, Hiremath and Midha were school friends at Bellarmine College Preparatory. They excelled in debate competitions, establishing a legacy at their school before venturing into the tech industry:

• Adarsh Hiremath attended Harvard University, where he studied computer science.
• Surya Midha graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in Foreign Studies.
• The trio, including Brendan Foody, each holds a significant stake in Mercor.

What is Mercor?

Launched in 2023, Mercor aims to connect Indian engineers with U.S. companies seeking talent. The platform was designed to tap into the growing demand for tech professionals:

• Mercor reported a revenue run rate of $500 million shortly after entering the Forbes Cloud 100 list.
• The startup has positioned itself as a bridge between Indian tech talent and U.S. job markets.

A New Era of Wealth

With their immense success, Hiremath and Midha have surpassed previous records held by tech giants. Notably, they are younger than Mark Zuckerberg was when he reached billionaire status at 23:

• Their achievement showcases a shift in the landscape of young entrepreneurship.
• Both founders credit their support from Peter Thiel’s fellowship program for their rapid progress.

This milestone not only sets a new benchmark for young entrepreneurs but also highlights the potential of AI in the recruiting space.