At 22 years old, most people are still trying to finish college, find their first stable job, or decide what they really want to do with their lives. That’s why Suryamida’s story has attracted so much global attention. According to Forbes, the San Francisco, California-based Indian-origin entrepreneur became one of the world’s youngest self-made billionaires after the meteoric rise of his artificial intelligence startup Mercor. Even more strikingly, Meda became a billionaire younger than Mark Zuckerberg. His journey from college dropout to tech billionaire has quickly become one of the most talked about entrepreneurial success stories of 2026, especially as the artificial intelligence industry continues to expand at a breakneck pace.
how Mercor by Surya Midha Turning AI recruiting into a multi-billion dollar opportunity
Mercor was founded in 2023 by Surya Midha and her friends Brendan Foody and Adarsh ​​Hiremath. The trio reportedly shared a common interest in technology, debate and entrepreneurship before deciding to start their own company during the artificial intelligence boom.The platform helps companies find talents who can contribute to artificial intelligence research, AI model training, technology development and related projects. What makes this startup stand out is its heavy use of artificial intelligence throughout the recruitment process. According to reports, the platform uses artificial intelligence systems to conduct interviews, assess skills, evaluate candidates and match people with companies more efficiently than traditional recruitment methods. Meco reportedly positions itself as a fast and scalable solution for companies that struggle to hire qualified talent quickly enough.
How Mercor went from startup to tech giant in just a few months in 2025
Meco’s growth in 2025 reportedly surprised even seasoned investors in the technology industry. According to Forbes, in just a few months, the company’s annualized revenue grew from about $100 million at the beginning of the year to nearly $500 million. The growing demand for artificial intelligence services has encouraged major investors to pour large sums of money into the company. According to reports, by the end of 2025, Meike’s valuation will be close to US$10 billion. This valuation instantly made the three founders billionaires at just 22 years old.Surya Midha is reportedly serving as chairman of the company after transitioning from his previous position as chief operating officer. Reports show that each co-founder owns approximately 22% of Mercor, bringing them significant personal wealth as the company continues to grow. According to recent estimates, Midha’s real-time net worth is approximately $2.2 billion as reported by Forbes on May 14, 2026.
Surya Midha becomes younger billionaire than Zuckerberg
One of the reasons why Surya Medha’s success story went viral is the comparison with Mark Zuckerberg. Zuckerberg became a billionaire at the age of 23 after the explosive rise of Facebook (now known as Meta). According to reports, Midha crossed this milestone at the age of just 22 years old.The comparison highlights the speed at which the AI ​​industry is creating enormous wealth for young entrepreneurs. In the age of social media, companies like Facebook have transformed the internet. Today, artificial intelligence appears to be creating a new generation of ultra-young tech billionaires at a faster pace.
How Surya Midha went from student to startup founder during the AI ​​boom
Meda reportedly studied at Georgetown University before deciding to leave college and focus entirely on startups. Dropping out of college is always a big gamble, especially in an industry as competitive as tech. For many young entrepreneurs, especially students interested in artificial intelligence, Midha’s story represents a growing belief that age no longer limits success in the entrepreneurial world. Access to technology, artificial intelligence tools and global investment networks reportedly enable young founders to scale their companies faster than ever before.
