Teen CEO Builds Rapidly Growing AI-Powered Calorie Tracking App
At 18 years old, Zach Yadegari is defying typical freshman expectations. While many his age focus solely on college, Yadegari is the co-founder and CEO of Cal AI, a calorie-tracking app that uses artificial intelligence to analyze photos of food and estimate calorie content. Launched in May 2024 from his parents’ home in Roslyn, New York, the app has quickly amassed millions of users and substantial revenue.
AI-Driven Simplicity in Calorie Tracking
Cal AI addresses a common pain point in diet management: the tedious manual entry of food items. Users simply upload a photo, and the app’s AI estimates total calories with about 90% accuracy, according to Yadegari. Available for free on Apple and Google Play stores, the app offers subscriptions at $2.49 per month or $29.99 annually.
Documents reviewed by CNBC Make It reveal that Cal AI currently generates approximately $1.4 million in gross monthly profit after app store fees, with a net operating income nearing $274,000. The startup employs 30 people and plans to grow further.
From Coding Prodigy to Startup Founder
Yadegari’s journey began early. Inspired by games like Minecraft, he started coding at age seven after attending a summer coding camp. He honed his skills through online tutorials and networking with other developers. In high school, he launched a gaming website, Totally Science, which he sold for around $100,000 in early 2024.
Frustrated with existing calorie trackers requiring manual input, Yadegari teamed up with friends Henry Langmack, Blake Anderson, and Jake Castillo to develop an AI model capable of analyzing food photos automatically. After an initial $2,000 social media marketing test showed promise, the founders self-funded the startup’s operations until revenue streams stabilized.
Balancing College and Startup Leadership
Yadegari began undergraduate studies at the University of Miami’s business school in August 2024 but plans to dedicate only a year to formal education before focusing full-time on Cal AI and future ventures. He maintains a 4.0 GPA while managing the app’s development, marketing, and team leadership from a San Francisco hacker house and his hometown.
The company’s expenses are significant, with nearly $770,000 monthly spent on advertising alone, alongside payroll and operational costs. Despite the rapid growth, the app faces challenges; some users report issues with accuracy and have unrealistic expectations about AI capabilities.
Growth Ambitions Amid Industry Competition
With 8.3 million downloads as of July 2024, Cal AI aims to rival established calorie trackers like MyFitnessPal, which boasts over 270 million users. Yadegari plans to expand the team, increase marketing investment, and introduce new features to capture more market share.
Looking ahead, Yadegari envisions selling or passing on Cal AI within two years to pursue new AI-driven entrepreneurial projects. He emphasizes the responsibility of leading a company with employees dependent on its success and hopes his work will leave a lasting legacy in the tech industry.
FinOracleAI — Market View
Cal AI’s rapid growth and substantial monthly profit highlight strong market demand for AI-enhanced health apps. However, high marketing expenses and user concerns about accuracy present risks that could affect long-term retention. The startup’s ability to innovate and scale while managing costs will be critical to challenging established competitors.
Impact: positive
