Build in public, fail in public: what it’s like to be a founder under 20 right now

AI tools and early-stage capital are lowering the barrier for teen founders to start companies sooner than ever.

TechCrunch spotlights young founders like Arlan Rakhmetzhanov and Pranjali Awasthi building AI startups without traditional Big Tech experience.

They’re raising money from groups like Y Combinator, but also facing intense public scrutiny and pressure to grow fast.

The trend expands opportunity for young entrepreneurs while raising the cost of mistakes and the bar for rapid execution.