What Entrepreneurs Started Business in 20s

Think you’re too young to start a Business? Think again. These inspiring business young entrepreneurs are proving that age is no barrier to success—and they’re doing it with purpose, passion, and innovation. From sustainable nutrition and safer schools to inclusive fashion and entertainment, these trailblazers are reshaping industries and making the world a kinder, more vibrant place for all of us.

Each year, Entrepreneur highlights a dynamic group of young, emerging founders who are making waves and driving meaningful change. This year’s lineup is no exception—these trailblazers are reimagining industries and reshaping the world into a kinder, more vibrant place. From revolutionizing sustainable nutrition and enhancing school safety to creating inclusive romantic comedies and designing roller skates that truly stand out, discover how 15 visionary founders under the age of 27 are leaving their mark and inspiring us all.

François Reihani, 25 – Founder, La La Land Kind Cafe

For François Reihani, self-awareness sparked transformation. As a teenager, he realized he wasn’t living up to his values: “I had, frankly, become a dick,” he admits candidly. Determined to change, he moved to a new city and embarked on a journey of personal growth. That journey led him to create La La Land Kind Cafe , a Dallas-based coffee chain with a mission as bold as its name: “Don’t be a dick.”

What sets La La Land apart isn’t just its delicious drinks but its commitment to social impact. The café employs teenagers and young adults transitioning out of the foster care system, equipping them with life skills to break cycles of poverty, addiction, and homelessness. Yet, there’s no overt messaging about this mission within the cafés themselves—no signs, no pamphlets. “We believe that when you do the right thing, magic happens,” says Reihani. And it does. With five locations open and over $6 million in revenue, La La Land is proof that kindness can be both profitable and transformative.

Cami Téllez, 24 – Founder & CEO, Parade

Underwear might seem like an unlikely catalyst for revolution, but for Cami Téllez, it was the perfect starting point. Growing up in New Jersey as the daughter of Colombian immigrants, Téllez vividly remembers her first trip to Victoria’s Secret as a teenager. Standing amidst the “bombshells” and “Angels,” she couldn’t help but wonder, Is that who I’m supposed to be?

Years later, while studying at Columbia University, Téllez identified a glaring disconnect between Gen Z’s values—diversity, sustainability, and self-expression—and the outdated, exclusionary image of Victoria’s Secret. In 2019, during her senior year, she dropped out to launch Parade , a brand rewriting the rules of lingerie.

Parade celebrates individuality through bold colors, dynamic designs, and eco-conscious materials. Its fabrics are certified recycled, packaged in compostable materials, and the company has pledged to become carbon-positive by 2025. Beyond aesthetics, Parade champions inclusivity, featuring models of every size, shape, and background. To date, the company has raised $23 million and boasts a valuation of $70 million.

“I’m the youngest business man Latina founder to raise this amount,” says Téllez proudly. “Our impact in such an emotional category takes my breath away—and we’re just getting started.”

Oliver Zak and Selom Agbitor, 24 – Cofounders, Mad Rabbit Tattoo

For Oliver Zak and Selom Agbitor, success wasn’t about waiting for perfection—it was about testing their vision early and iterating fast. When Zak got a tattoo and struggled to find natural aftercare products, they saw an opportunity.

Rather than starting with product development, they launched Mad Rabbit Tattoo as a brand-first experiment. “We ran ads before we even had inventory,” says Agbitor. The response was overwhelming—so much so that they had to cancel orders because they couldn’t fulfill them. But this early validation confirmed their instincts: there was demand for better-branded, eco-conscious tattoo care.

Fast forward to today, and Mad Rabbit has secured a $500,000 investment from Mark Cuban on Shark Tank . With over $4 million in sales this year alone, the company is now a leader in sustainable tattoo aftercare. For Zak and Agbitor, it’s not just about selling balms and sunscreens—it’s about elevating customer experience and setting new standards in the tattoo market.

Corine Tan, 21 – Cofounder, Kona

Growing up in a Chinese-American household, Corine Tan learned early on about the cultural stigma surrounding vulnerability. Her mother once warned her against crying at work, citing harmful stereotypes about women being perceived as weak. But for Tan, suppressing emotions felt fundamentally wrong—and counterproductive.

Inspired by Gen Z’s emphasis on authenticity, Tan co-founded Kona , a Slack-based app designed to foster emotional transparency in the workplace. Every day, Kona prompts teams with a simple question: “How are you feeling today?” Users respond with emojis (green, yellow, or red) to indicate their mood, which can spark deeper conversations if they choose to share more.

“Emotions are human,” says Tan. “By encouraging people to own their feelings, we’re building trust and vulnerability within teams—qualities essential for high performance, especially in remote settings.” Since its launch in 2019, Kona has raised $1.2 million in pre-seed funding and counts clients like Coffee Meets Bagel , The Athletic , and Happy Money . For Tan, Kona isn’t just software—it’s a movement toward healthier, more empathetic workplaces.

Mackenzie Drazan, 26 – Cofounder, MiResource

Losing her younger sister Shelby to suicide during her freshman year of college profoundly shaped Mackenzie Drazan’s entrepreneurial journey. Frustrated by the fragmented mental healthcare system that failed her family, Drazan vowed to create a solution.

At Duke University, she met cofounder Gabriela Asturias, and together they launched MiResource , a platform designed to streamline access to mental health services. “Navigating mental healthcare shouldn’t feel like navigating a maze,” says Drazan. MiResource partners with institutions like university counseling centers to connect students with local providers while simplifying complexities like insurance navigation.

With recent milestones including a $3 million seed round and a $1.2 million NIH grant, MiResource is poised to expand its reach. By partnering with insurers and employers, the company aims to make quality mental healthcare accessible to all. For Drazan, it’s personal: “We’re creating a system where no one feels abandoned when seeking help.”

Athena Kan, 23; Brandon Wang, 24; Shiroy Aspandiar, 33 – Cofounders, Dreambound

Athena Kan grew up watching her father juggle multiple jobs to support their family after immigrating to the U.S. His relentless pursuit of upward mobility inspired business her to tackle systemic barriers to skilled employment.

In 2020, Kan, along with co-founders Brandon Wang and Shiroy Aspandiar, launched Dreambound , a platform that helps workers fund certification training and secure placements in trades like nursing assistants and truck driving. Unlike traditional models, Dreambound shifts the financial burden to employers, making business career advancement more equitable.

Backed by $4.3 million in funding from investors like Union Square Ventures, Dreambound is transforming workforce development. “Our goal is to reengineer incentives,” says Kan. “If someone wants to become a phlebotomist but can’t afford the $300 course fee, we step in to remove that obstacle.” For Kan, it’s deeply personal: “This is the pathway my dad took. I want to help others achieve their dreams without sacrificing everything.”

Ben Pasternak, 21 – Co Founder & CEO, Simulate

At just 21 years old, Ben Pasternak has already disrupted two industries: gaming and food tech. Known for his audacious ideas, Pasternak founded Nuggs (now part of Simulate ) in 2019 with a mission to reinvent plant-based nutrition through the universal love of chicken nuggets.

Pasternak’s approach combines humor, pop culture, and cutting-edge technology. “Chicken nuggets are iconic—they transcend demographics,” he explains. Leveraging meme culture and internet trends, Nuggs quickly became a viral sensation. Last year, the company generated $8 million in revenue, with projections reaching $40 million by the end of 2021.

In June, Simulate announced a $50 million Series B funding round, solidifying its position as a leader in sustainable nutrition. Reflecting on his journey, Pasternak credits his youth for his boldness: “Being naive allows you to take risks others might avoid. It’s been key to my success.”

Adrienne Cooper, 26 – Founder, Moonlight Roller

When Adrienne Cooper announced her decision to leave her catering job in Chattanooga to open an adults-only roller-skating rink, her boss’s response was skeptical at best. But Cooper wasn’t deterred. Armed with $100,000 cobbled together from investors, a Kickstarter campaign, and her own savings, she launched Moonlight Roller in March 2019—a bold move that marked the beginning of a whirlwind journey.

Designing her dream rink meant reimagining every detail, including the skates themselves. Partnering with a factory in China, Cooper created rental skates designed for comfort and inclusivity. “When I started skating, I weighed 220 pounds,” she explains. “Our boots are wide, durable, and supportive—so everyone feels confident on the rink.” To generate early revenue, she hosted mobile pop-up roller parties, booking events like Atlanta Comic-Con and Bonnaroo—until the pandemic hit.

With plans for her physical rink temporarily derailed, Cooper pivoted brilliantly. She transformed 1,500 pairs of rental skates into her first retail line, launching The Moon Boot . Drawing inspiration from the sneaker industry, she teased the release through untitled Instagram posts, building buzz organically. The result? All 1,500 pairs sold out in just four minutes, generating $200,000 in a single day.

Today, Moonlight Roller has expanded to three locations, a thriving mobile business, and partnerships with brands like GoPro and Coach. With nearly $5 million in revenue in 2020 and projections of $10 million for 2021, Cooper’s vision is finally coming full circle. Her bar-and-rink concept is set to debut in early 2022—and even her toddler son Emmett is already hooked on skating. “I have a three-nager human and a terrible-twos business,” she jokes. “But we’re rolling forward.”

Aaron Coles, 22 – Founder & CEO, Drift Net Securities

For Aaron Coles, entrepreneurship is deeply personal. As a high school student, he often found himself scanning classrooms for exits and planning escape routes during active shooter drills. When the Parkland shooting occurred in 2018, Coles—who had taught himself to code at age 12—felt compelled to act. He envisioned a robust security system that could prevent tragedies like Columbine from repeating.

That vision became Drift Net Securities , a company revolutionizing school safety with its flagship product, KnowWhere . Using HD and thermal cameras, AI, and mapping technology, KnowWhere provides real-time data about the location and number of students and staff within a building. The innovation struck a chord immediately—even prompting a multimillion-dollar acquisition offer before Coles secured patents or major clients. But he declined, choosing instead to raise $7 million in seed funding.

“We price our system affordably because safety shouldn’t be a luxury,” Coles says. His dedication has paid off: Drift Net now employs over 100 people, and KnowWhere has been installed in hundreds of schools nationwide. For Coles, success isn’t measured in dollars but in lives protected. “Entrepreneurship is about solving problems,” he reflects. “And this is one worth solving.”

Jamie Steenbakkers, 24 – Co Founder & COO, Busy Co.

As a college freshman, Jamie Steenbakkers found herself pondering a universal dilemma: how to streamline getting ready without compromising sustainability. Collaborating with classmate Michael Leahy, they identified disposable wipes as a convenient yet environmentally harmful solution. This gap in the market inspired them to create Busy Co. , a zero-waste beauty brand specializing in biodegradable wipes made business from upcycled fabric scraps.

Since its launch in 2018, Busy Co. has raised over $3 million in funding and generated more than $2 million in revenue. Their products are now available in major retailers like Kohl’s and Macy’s, with plans to introduce a first-of-its-kind reusable metal container for multi-packs.

“For us, it’s about creating value while staying true to our mission,” Steenbakkers says. At just 24, she’s proving that passion and perseverance can turn a simple idea into a scalable business.

Dmitry Dolgopolov & Kesava Kirupa Dinakaran, 21 – Founders, DigitalBrain

Immigrating to the U.S. without legal working status, Dmitry Dolgopolov and Kesava Kirupa Dinakaran faced immense challenges—but they refused to let circumstances define them. Surviving on hackathon prize money, the duo built what would become DigitalBrain , a tool designed to enhance customer service efficiency by streamlining ticket processing.

Despite initial struggles to secure investor interest, their persistence paid off when immigrant-focused fund Unshackled Ventures invested in their vision. Shortly after, they were accepted into Y Combinator and have since raised $3.4 million business.

“The Bay Area embraces outsiders who create value,” Dolgopolov says. For these two young founders, resilience and ingenuity have turned adversity into opportunity.

Naomi Shah, 26 – Founder, Meet Cute

Growing up watching romantic comedies, Naomi Shah noticed something glaringly absent: representation. “The characters all looked the same—and they didn’t look like me,” she recalls. Inspired to change the narrative, Shah founded Meet Cute , a modern rom-com studio producing 15-minute podcasts featuring diverse leads.

Launched in 2019, Meet Cute has produced 300 episodes listened to over two million times. With $9.25 million in funding, Shah is positioning the platform as a go-to source for inclusive storytelling tailored to millennial and Gen Z audiences.

“Every day, there are millions of meet-cutes happening around the world,” Shah says. “Our goal is to tell those stories authentically.” Through Meet Cute, Shah is rewriting Hollywood’s playbook—one podcast at a time.

Summary: Young Entrepreneurs Revolutionizing Business Industries

This article highlights the inspiring journeys of young entrepreneurs who are redefining business industries with innovative, purpose-driven businesses. From Adrienne Cooper’s inclusive roller-skating empire (Moonlight Roller ) to Aaron Coles’ life-saving school security system (Drift Net Securities ), these founders demonstrate that age is no barrier to creating impactful ventures. Other trailblazers include Jamie Steenbakkers, who disrupted the beauty industry with eco-friendly wipes (Busy Co. ); Dmitry Dolgopolov and Kesava Kirupa Dinakaran, who overcame immigration challenges to build DigitalBrain , a customer service optimization tool; and Naomi Shah, who founded Meet Cute , a podcast studio reimagining romantic comedies with diverse storytelling.

Each founder faced unique challenges—whether it was navigating a global pandemic, overcoming systemic barriers, or addressing unmet market needs—but their resilience, creativity, and commitment to solving real-world problems propelled them to success. Collectively, they represent a generation of entrepreneurs unafraid to challenge norms and prioritize both profitability and purpose.

FAQs

1. Who are some of the young entrepreneurs featured in this article?

• Adrienne Cooper : Founder of Moonlight Roller , an adults-only roller-skating rink with a focus on inclusivity and sustainability.
• Aaron Coles : Founder of Drift Net Securities , which uses AI and mapping technology to enhance school safety.
• Jamie Steenbakkers : Cofounder of Busy Co. , a zero-waste beauty brand specializing in biodegradable wipes.
• Dmitry Dolgopolov & Kesava Kirupa Dinakaran : Founders of DigitalBrain , a tool that streamlines customer service ticket processing.
• Naomi Shah : Founder of Meet Cute , a podcast studio producing short, inclusive romantic comedies.

2. What makes these entrepreneurs stand out?

These founders stand out for their ability to identify gaps in the market and address them with innovative solutions. They also prioritize social impact, whether through sustainability (Busy Co. ), inclusivity (Meet Cute ), or safety (Drift Net Securities ). Their stories highlight how resilience, adaptability, and a strong sense of purpose can drive success.

3. How did Adrienne Cooper pivot during the pandemic?

When the pandemic halted her plans for a physical roller-skating rink, Adrienne Cooper pivoted by transforming 1,500 pairs of rental skates into her first retail line, The Moon Boot . Drawing inspiration from the sneaker industry, she teased the launch on Instagram, selling out all 1,500 pairs in just four minutes and generating $200,000 in a single day.

4. What problem does DigitalBrain solve?

DigitalBrain helps customer service teams process tickets more efficiently by integrating HD/thermal cameras, AI, and mapping technology. This allows schools and organizations to track the location and number of people in real time, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.

5. How is Meet Cute different from traditional rom-coms?

Unlike traditional romantic comedies, Meet Cute focuses on diversity and inclusivity, featuring stories with underrepresented leads. The platform delivers these narratives through 15-minute podcasts, making them accessible and engaging for millennial and Gen Z audiences.

6. What inspired Jamie Steenbakkers to start Busy Co.?

Jamie Steenbakkers identified a gap in the beauty industry: disposable wipes were convenient but environmentally harmful. She co-founded Busy Co. to create sustainable alternatives, using biodegradable materials made from upcycled fabric scraps.

7. How did Aaron Coles fund his startup, Drift Net Securities?

After receiving a multimillion-dollar acquisition offer, Aaron Coles chose instead to raise $7 million in seed funding. He prioritized affordability in his pricing model to ensure schools could access his life-saving security systems without financial strain.

8. What lessons can aspiring entrepreneurs learn from these founders?

• Resilience : Overcome setbacks by staying adaptable and resourceful.
• Purpose : Build business that solve real-world problems and align with your values.
• Innovation : Look for gaps in the market and approach them with fresh perspectives.
• Community : Leverage partnerships and networks to scale your vision.

9. Where can I learn business models more about these entrepreneurs?

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