Teen Entrepreneur Sells $50M App, Considers Leaving College

Zach Yadegari, 19, is taking a "gap semester" after selling his calorie-counting app to MyFitnessPal.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 10:42pm

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Zach Yadegari, a 19-year-old tech prodigy, is reconsidering his college plans after selling the app he created at age 16 for a reported $50 million. Yadegari, who was rejected from most Ivy League schools, is currently enrolled at the University of Miami but is now considering taking a "gap semester" to focus on his other interests.

Why it matters

Yadegari's story highlights the growing trend of young entrepreneurs finding success in the tech industry without a traditional college degree. His decision to potentially leave college early could inspire other talented students to pursue their own entrepreneurial dreams.

The details

Yadegari's calorie-counting app, Cal AI, has seen its revenue grow from $30 million last year to an estimated $50 million this year. After selling the app to MyFitnessPal, Yadegari is now weighing his options, including taking a break from college to explore other interests, similar to the path taken by tech icons like Steve Jobs.

  • Yadegari created the app at age 16.
  • Yadegari sold the app a year later, at age 17.
  • Yadegari is currently 19 years old and in his first year at the University of Miami.

The players

Zach Yadegari

A 19-year-old tech entrepreneur who created a calorie-counting app that he sold for an estimated $50 million.

MyFitnessPal

The fitness app company that acquired Yadegari's Cal AI app.

University of Miami

The college Yadegari is currently attending, though he is now considering taking a break.

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What they’re saying

“Zach stopped by "TMZ Live" Tuesday and spilled a few details about the multimillion-dollar deal selling the company he started at age 16 ... now 19, he's taking a "gap semester" after half his freshman year at the University of Miami.”

— TMZ Staff

What’s next

Yadegari is considering whether to continue his studies at the University of Miami or to take a break and pursue other interests.

The takeaway

Yadegari's success story at a young age highlights the growing opportunities for talented entrepreneurs in the tech industry, even without a traditional college degree. His decision to potentially leave college early could inspire other ambitious students to follow their own entrepreneurial passions.