I founded an AI startup while still in high school. I'm now 22 and have raised over $2M — I have no regrets about skipping college.
Business Insider
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
At just 17 years old, Ishraq Khan founded Kodezi, an AI-powered platform designed to automate code debugging for programmers. By 22, he had raised over $2 million and was running the company full-time, proving that entrepreneurship can yield significant success even without traditional education. Khan’s journey began in high school when he noticed the time-consuming nature of debugging during his computer science classes. Inspired by the concept of Grammarly for coders, he developed a prototype using machine learning to automate code fixes. This innovation led him to pursue Kodezi as a full-time venture, despite being offered spots at Ivy League schools. His decision to skip college was driven by a desire to maximize opportunities and avoid missing out on critical early-stage growth.
Khan faced numerous challenges, including skepticism from investors who questioned both the technology’s viability and his ability to execute as a teenager. Early investments were rare, but he persevered by framing investor meetings as interviews where he could showcase his vision and understanding of their goals. This approach helped him secure $20,000 before turning 18 and eventually raise $800,000 by age 19. His ability to articulate the potential of Kodezi—answering key questions about what he was building, its impact, and its billion-dollar potential—was crucial in overcoming doubts.
One of Khan’s most notable strategies was leveraging networking and outreach. He emailed CEOs, startup founders, and venture capitalists to seek feedback and opportunities, leading to early partnerships and investments. For example, after emailing an organizer at the Orlando Synapse event, he secured a free booth to showcase his work, which later attracted angel investors. Despite these successes, Khan acknowledges the trade-offs of skipping college, noting that while college provides a built-in social environment, his current network of ambitious builders offers unique opportunities for growth.
Khan’s story highlights the potential of young founders in the AI space and the importance of pursuing innovation with passion. By prioritizing feedback, focusing on internal excellence, and staying committed to his vision, he has grown Kodezi into a company with over 35 employees. Looking ahead, his goal is to establish Kodezi as the default system for enterprise code
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Originally published on Business Insider on 2/26/2026