In a World Dominated by Adults, Teen Innovators are Claiming Their Space
In a world where entrepreneurship is often associated with adults in boardrooms, a surprising number of teens are already building companies, launching podcasts, and shaping communities long before they reach the age of 18. According to Junior Achievement USA, 41% of teens would consider becoming entrepreneurs, many before adulthood. Teen girls show especially strong interest, with 61% saying they have considered starting a business.
While a “fear of failure” remains a major concern for young founders, many continue to take the leap anyway. Over the past month, while working on my podcast, Sparkbuddies.ai, I interviewed several young founders to understand how they got started, what motivated them, and what lessons they learned along the way.
Together, their stories reveal a proactive generation that refuses to wait for approval.
What advice do they have for other young entrepreneurs?
First, they say, follow your passion. My first interview was with Anika Shinde, the co-founder of MYC Uncensored, a youth-led podcast with over 4,800 listeners across 63 countries. She started the show at age 14 after noticing how few spaces existed for girls to talk openly about stigmatized topics, from identity to mental health. Today, her team has grown from five podcasters to more than thirty volunteers, along with a new “Women in STEM” segment. Anika’s advice: “Ideas matter,” Shinde says, “but passion and consistency are what bring results.”
Persistence is key. When Netra Iyer faced her own medical diagnosis, she struggled to find clear information online. In response, she created Tumor Minutes, a science education podcast that simplifies complex medical topics. Her mission is clarity, not complexity: “My goal isn’t to understand all the scientific terms. My goal is to make you understand what people go through.” Netra also learned that failure is part of the process: “The first few episodes did not go where I wanted, but as I kept marketing and pushing everyone to listen, it kept growing more and more.” Her persistence paid off when she received an email showing her podcast ranked #10 in Canada in the Life Sciences category.
Don’t wait to get started. Another teen challenging expectations is Ethan Yip, the 16-year-old founder of Nova, a startup accelerator for high school and college students. Nova helps young entrepreneurs turn research or early prototypes into real, functioning companies through a six-month roadmap, one-on-one mentorship, and access to venture capital networks. Despite his age, Ethan has already helped support over 18 startups, though credibility was an early challenge. “I sometimes wonder why people listen to me,” he admits, “but when you take ideas from people you trust and build something new, that increases credibility.” His biggest piece of advice: start now, even if you’re starting imperfectly.
Learn from customer feedback. At just 17 years old, Lila Mokhtari built Maji Soap, a brand of handcrafted soaps for kids that reveal a collectible toy inside the bar when it runs out. Maji Soap was inspired by a simple observation in her everyday life: “When I was younger, my little sister always forgot to wash her hands, so I put one of her collectible toys inside a bar of soap.” She later joined the Young Entrepreneurs Academy at age 14, where she learned to pitch, build a business plan, and secure funding. Her business also has a global mission; she donates 5% of profits to the Thirst Project, which builds clean water wells in communities around the world. Lila’s advice is to “go for it” and “get your feet in the water and start learning from what customers tell you.”
Image Courtesy of Maji Soap, Lila Mokhtari
Build your brand around personal stories. Finally, I interviewed Ria Singh, who, at 10 years old during COVID lockdowns, turned a hobby into a business that blends artistry, culture, and storytelling. What started as colorful bracelets made from rubber bands has grown into RiRi Bespoke Jewelry. She designs custom pieces and works with artisans in India, focusing on jewelry that tells personal stories. One of her most memorable moments was creating custom anklets for a bride’s bridesmaids: “How can someone choose to include me in their wedding day?” she reflected. Despite the fact that customers undervalue handmade work at times and try to bargain, Ria continues to advocate for her craft.
Image Courtesy of RiRi Bespoke Jewelry, Ria Singh
Together, these young founders show that entrepreneurship is not reserved for adults. What they share is a willingness to start early, take risks, and learn as they go. Their stories prove that you do not need to wait for permission to make an impact. They made it, and there is no reason you can’t either!