Two 22-year-old Indian-origin friends, Adarsh Hiremath and Surya Midha, have captured global attention after becoming the world’s youngest self-made billionaires. Along with their friend Brendan Foody, they co-founded the fast-rising tech startup Mercor, a company that has changed global hiring through artificial intelligence.
First it was Aravind Srinivas CEO of Perplexity AI who became the youngest billionaire at 30. Now it’s these guys who show young Indians are not far behind in the AI revolution.
Who Are They?
Adarsh Hiremath and Surya Midha grew up in California’s Bay Area, where they met during their school years. Their friendship began at Bellarmine College Preparatory, which is a school known for its strong academic culture. Both of them were standout debaters, and together they achieved a huge milestone of becoming the first team ever to win all three major U.S. national policy debate tournaments in the same year. This is mentioned in thier LinkedIn profiles.
Adarsh, originally focused on computer science, later enrolled at Harvard University, while Surya pursued international studies at Georgetown University. Their close friend and now co-founder, Brendan Foody, also studied economics at Georgetown. Despite their promising academic paths, the trio eventually chose to leave their universities when their startup idea began gaining momentum.
What Is Their Experience?
The trios starting years were shaped by debate, technology, and an early exposure to Silicon Valley’s entrepreneurial mindset. Adarsh says he built strong technical skills that prepared him to take on the role of Chief Technology Officer at Mercor. Surya, with his global affairs and policy background, naturally transitioned into the role of Chairman. Brendan Foody assumed the CEO position, overseeing business growth and strategy.
Their shared belief in the potential of artificial intelligence to reshape global labour markets pushed them to take the leap into entrepreneurship. They felt deeply that connecting skilled workers across borders through technology would be one of the defining opportunities of their generation.
What Is Mercor?
Mercor is the trios attempt to modernise the hiring process worldwide. The company uses AI-powered virtual interviewers to evaluate and match candidates particularly software engineers with companies seeking talent. The platform initially focused on helping Indian engineers secure roles with U.S.-based firms but has since expanded its global reach.
The startup’s rapid rise stunned the tech world. A major funding round valued Mercor at around $10 billion, instantly turning its three young founders into billionaires. Their achievement also broke the longstanding record held by other young tech moguls, making them the youngest self-made billionaires ever.
A New Generation of Tech Leaders
The rise of Adarsh Hiremath and Surya Midha represents the new landscape of global entrepreneurship which is young, ambitious, multicultural, and unafraid to challenge traditional paths. Both of their story shows how curiosity, risk-taking, and a willingness to drop everything for an idea can redefine the limits of what’s possible at just 22 years old.
