10 Tech Whizzes Under 20
10 Tech Whizzes Under 20
The tech world is filled with young superstars in their 20s, but there's another generation on the way up. All of these wunderkinds are making a big splash, even though many haven't even finished high school. Some are already millionaires. Others have venture capital firms supporting them. They've all established strong reputations at a very young age. Sure beats cutting lawns during the summer for extra cash.
Ashley Qualls (19)
At age 14, the founder of Whateverlife.com began creating MySpace layouts for other teens, supported only by advertising. Two years later, she rejected a $1.5 million takeover offer. Today, with a net worth of $4 million, she owns her own home and counts mom as an employee.
Ben Gulak (19)
This MIT student invented the Uno, an electric motorcycle that seems more like a Segway than a Harley. Popular Science chose it as one of the top 10 inventions of 2008. Also last year, Gulak was awarded $1,250,000 of venture capital while appearing on a Canadian TV show. Not bad for what started out as a science fair project.
-- Chris Morris
Catherine and David Cook (19, 20)
Unhappy with their high school yearbook, this brother sister team began brainstorming their ideal creation, then took it online. Today Myyearbook.com has over 5 million members and adds 20,000 per day. Meanwhile, these siblings have a net worth of $10 million.
Arjun Mehta (14)
How many 12-year-olds can raise $6.5 million in venture capital? Mehta did so two years ago with PlaySpan, giving game publishers the ability to set up micropayment systems. Dad Karl runs the day to day operations, but Arjun still contributes.
Michael van Poppel (19)
The founder of BNO News has managed to beat major news outlets on several stories by staying lean. He has 800,000 Twitter followers, several international employees and a new iPhone app that charges a monthly fee – for other people's headlines!
Anshul Samar (15)
Science textbooks can be boring, so Samar created Elementeo, a role-playing game that combines chemistry with battling bad guys. A half-dozen venture capitalists reached out to him, but he wanted to work at his own pace. Today, he's selling plenty of copies.
Jake Jarvis (17)
This coding wizard has launched several successful applications on Facebook, including one for Last.fm that tracks what you listen to online and displays it in your profile, and Courses, allowing students to connect with others taking the same classes.
Andrew Sutherland (19)
It was a French test that inspired the founder of Quizlet to create an online study application (and, eventually, Web site). Today, that tool has been used more than 12 million times – and the topics are a lot more diverse.
Daniel Brusilovsky (16)
Kids often find themselves booted from new media outlets because of their age. Not at TeensinTech.com, Brusilovsky's social network for high schoolers. He's also helping set up events and conferences for influential tech blog TechCrunch.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Amy said 8:45PM on 7-23-2009
No one pays attention to that scam crap on these comments. Why do they bother. It's disgusting.
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SUSANBROOM said 11:27PM on 7-23-2009
Absolutely, Amy. Tell it like it is.
Arek Stefaniak said 12:51AM on 7-24-2009
No to scams
Arek Stefaniak said 9:11PM on 7-23-2009
No one pays attention to that scam crap on these comments. Why do they bother. It's disgusting.
I agree with you a 100%. This should be prohibited!
Home own business = Millions Daily?! = Such NON SENSE/CRAP!
Watch for "google fake multi-dollar sales" and "Bank of America" scams !
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mike said 8:20AM on 7-26-2009
yep, how about that 123 cash.com..Did anyone mention that you have to pay money up front..I subscribed to this one time and it was like a bunch of rats fighting over a piece of cheese.If you saw a $ 25.00/15 minute survey listed then your chances of even getting it was like it snowing in south Texas in August...
The only one making any money is the folks us SUCKERS buy a subscription from. Yep, think I'll sign up right now and start making me that $150,000.
Ruttroh24 said 9:43PM on 7-23-2009
Be more productive????Dale what are you talking about? These kids are amazing! How much are you worth? How much were you worth at 14? Respect???? They deserve a lot of respect and it's obvious that they are plenty creative. Jealous much?
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gasenginenut said 10:02PM on 7-23-2009
boy. I thought bowling was dangerous
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mikey2003 said 11:53AM on 7-24-2009
I am confused...how does someone- kid or adult-- make millions by adding an application on facebook? What does that mean exactly? Or an online study application? I feel really out of it not understanding but someone somewhere must have told these kids what to do or did it for them. Anyone know exactly what they did to get started and all the process? No one ever tells you how to get a business started, they just brag that someone did. Like on Oprah years ago about the girl that come up with finger nail polish from experimenting in her back yard. It is not that simple. Did you catch the details that both her parents were lawyers for years and they had contacts and knowledge for a business. Or the one where the kid supposedly made millions creating the bacon micro cooker rack -- her parents invented the re-fibulator -- you know the one that saves lives all the time. Tell me they did not have money.
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mikes450 said 12:14AM on 7-24-2009
actually, that's a completely incorrect statement. yes, blacks were enslaving other blacks, but that's like saying whites were murdering other whites (in terms of the holocaust). the black people in africa that enslaved each other were from completely separate tribes and villages, and there actions, therefore, are more akin to that of any of war or hostility of rival nations, rather than "enslaving their own people."
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Gregman2 said 11:42AM on 7-24-2009
Another company to watch http://www.ioSafe.com/1. A very young team.
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ryanguzik said 12:19AM on 7-24-2009
There are so many ways to earn money online, that yes if you invent a solid product you can make millions, for the rest of us, there are lots of free ways to make money online with no investment.
I like to earn money online, and would rather no spend money to earn money.
http://gooziks.blogspot.com/
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CKB Productions said 1:41AM on 7-24-2009
The focus shouldn't be about how much $$ they made. Rather, emphasize on what it is that they are providing and how exactly it is benefiting the community of people. Not just another social network which actually gives ppl a reason not to speak to one another face to face, or not some gimmick product like an object you attach to the underside of your skateboard deck so that sparks can fly out when you come to a stop.
I levitate toward something productive like www.griptapetutor.com which supports education and development. Skateboarding is difficult, so why not take the time to learn about what seems so difficult, plus give yourself an actual tangible foot placement guide that instils consistency within your foot placement...increased progression. See
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Surf said 3:32AM on 7-24-2009
Oh my god. I feel so stupid. I've never made more than $200,000 during my entire life. And these teens are worth millions!
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Jody said 4:12AM on 7-24-2009
Monica....You say that you make $150.000 a year with the google thing. What kind of things do you have to do? Give us some information please.
I went to the link you provided and I'm not too happy that you have to pay a $99 fee that is NON REFUNDABLE and then $47.50 per month there after.
Why would I want to pay out money before I know what is involved. Their site sheds no light on what is involved.
When that happens, it throws up red flags!!
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Evelyn Guzman said 11:57AM on 7-25-2009
Wow! It's good to know these kids are superstars. I wonder if they can provide help for those who are technically challenged like me. Imagine not having finished high school and already millionaires. They must have spent a lot of time in front of the computer. I hope they don't forget to eat healthy and exercise.
Evelyn Guzman
http://www.homebusinesssteps.com (If you want to visit, just click but if it doesn’t work, copy and paste it onto your browser.)
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cpenguincreator said 12:42PM on 7-27-2009
To You That Say This Is Nonsence. Lets See You Learn C++ Or APL2 Before You Are 13. Lest See You Have The Skills To Build Computers At Age 10. I Want You To Know That By Going To Some Website To Make Money Is Stupid. You Don't Learn Anything. Want A Good Website Made By An 12 Year Old? I Made This Website. sites.google.com/site/quickkeyboardshortcuts I Made This Site Useing My Knowlage. That Link On The Bottom Of The Homepage Is For Help From Microsoft.
Have An Excellent Day (Or Night)
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Dglan41 said 12:12PM on 8-12-2009
this sounds nice and all. BUT ONLY 1 OF these on the list used any TECh savy. most used america's laziness to there advantage. most are just doing stuff for other peopole. it saddens me that you would think these people are SMART.
we as a country in goin gto be in sad shape. 10 or 20 years ago . everyone was smarter then these kids
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