How an 18-Year-Old Built a Million-Dollar Calorie-Tracking App Before College Graduation

Young Entrepreneur Launches Successful Calorie-Tracking App

At 18, Zach Yadegari is already making waves in the tech world with Cal AI, a calorie-tracking app he co-founded and leads as CEO. Launched in May 2024 from his parents’ home in Roslyn, New York, Cal AI uses artificial intelligence to estimate the caloric content of meals from user-uploaded photos. This innovation aims to simplify the calorie-tracking process by removing the need for manual input.

The app boasts a 90% accuracy rate and is available for free on Apple and Google Play stores, with subscription options at $2.49 per month or $29.99 annually. Despite its youth, Cal AI has grown quickly, employing 30 people and generating approximately $1.4 million in gross profit monthly after app store fees. Its monthly net operating income sits near $274,000, highlighting both strong revenue and healthy operational management.

Balancing College and a Growing Startup

Yadegari began his undergraduate journey at the University of Miami’s business school in August 2024 but plans to focus full-time on Cal AI before completing his degree. His social media presence reflects a CEO lifestyle, combining work with social activities and highlighting his entrepreneurial achievements. He already views himself as a serial entrepreneur, having sold a previous gaming website startup for around $100,000 earlier in 2024.

From Coding at Age 7 to Building a Viral App in High School

Yadegari’s coding journey started early, inspired by games like Minecraft. His mother enrolled him in a coding camp at age 7, and from there, he taught himself through online tutorials and networking with other coders. After initial attempts at viral apps, he focused on a personal pain point: tedious manual calorie tracking.

With friends Henry Langmack, Blake Anderson, and Jake Castillo, he developed Cal AI’s AI-powered photo analysis. The team invested $2,000 in initial social media marketing, which showed promising results. Early revenues jumped from $28,000 in the first month to $115,000 in the second, allowing them to expand the team. Yadegari balanced a 40-hour workweek on the app with high school classes, maintaining a 4.0 GPA while growing his startup.

Running a Business in the Real World

Operating a mobile app startup comes with significant expenses. Cal AI spends nearly $770,000 monthly on advertising and marketing alone, along with payroll, software, and legal fees. The founders draw dividends, with Yadegari recently receiving a $100,000 payment. Maintaining a good reputation on app stores is critical for ongoing success.

Though it saves users time, Cal AI is not flawless. Some customers express frustration with the AI’s limitations, such as its inability to detect food beneath the surface in photos. Yadegari openly addresses these issues, clarifying that expectations must be realistic.

Future Ambitions

Yadegari’s goal is to make Cal AI the largest calorie-tracking app, aiming to surpass industry leader MyFitnessPal’s 270 million users. With 8.3 million downloads as of July 2024, the company plans to increase hiring, marketing efforts, and introduce new features to close that gap.

Managing a company with employees depending on its success has added a new level of responsibility for Yadegari. He acknowledges that this role demands consistent attention, unlike his past projects. While he plans to lead Cal AI for the next two years, he is already thinking about his next venture, which will also involve AI. His focus is on building a lasting impact through technology.

Key Takeaways for IT and Development Professionals

• Start with a personal pain point: Yadegari’s success came from solving a problem he personally experienced, which resonates with many users.
• Leverage AI smartly: Using AI to automate tedious tasks like manual calorie entry can create strong product value.
• Balance growth and costs: High marketing spend can fuel growth, but managing expenses is crucial for long-term sustainability.
• Customer expectations matter: Clear communication about AI capabilities helps manage user satisfaction.
• Entrepreneurship isn’t age-dependent: Skill and market fit determine success more than age or background.

For professionals interested in AI development or product management, understanding how AI models can be integrated into consumer apps is valuable. If you want to deepen your AI skills or explore courses on AI tools and automation, consider resources like Complete AI Training.