UPDATE: Alby Churven, a 14-year-old entrepreneur from Wollongong, Australia, has taken the tech world by storm with his viral application to Y Combinator, one of the most prestigious startup accelerators globally. His application video, posted on X on November 10, 2025, has garnered significant attention, raising questions about the unique advantages and challenges facing young founders.
Churven’s startup, Clovr, focuses on front-end vibecoding, a niche that merges creativity with technology. In an exclusive interview with Business Insider, he shared insights into his journey, emphasizing that his youth offers both a “wow factor” and a potential barrier to being taken seriously in the business world. “The benefits of starting young is that you don’t have as much pressure on you financially, so you can just build things,” he noted.
The young founder’s journey began at the age of 12 with a failed e-commerce venture called Alpha Grips, which fueled his interest in entrepreneurship. “A lot of kids’ first businesses involve e-commerce, influenced by social media’s ‘get rich quick’ culture,” he explained. Although many such ventures fail, they often ignite a passion for business among young innovators.
Churven’s breakthrough moment came when he cold-emailed noted entrepreneur Frank Greeff, who advised him to start building in public. This advice led to his viral application video, which featured creative editing that deviated from the usual format expected by Y Combinator. “I didn’t actually read the instructions, but I guess that’s what made it pretty viral,” he remarked.
However, not all news is positive for young entrepreneurs in Australia. A new social media ban limits access for those under 16, potentially stifling the creative avenues that many young founders rely on. Churven expressed his disagreement with the ban, stating, “All these great things have happened for me with it, but the social media ban is taking that away.”
With the future in mind, Churven remains focused on his ambition: “I want to be in startups and tech.” He highlights how starting young allows him to learn and build without the immediate pressure of financial obligations. “I have time on my hands, and I enjoy it,” he said.
Despite the advantages, Churven acknowledges the challenges of being a young founder. “My age is a wow factor, but it also limits legitimacy,” he explained, noting that potential investors may not take him seriously. As he navigates this landscape, he is exploring options like grants, which offer funding without equity loss—a crucial consideration for young entrepreneurs seeking to build without pressure.
Churven’s journey is not just about personal success; it reflects a broader trend of young innovators reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape. “The younger generation thinks a bit differently. Some older people may not even know how to use AI,” he pointed out, underscoring the generational gap in understanding technology and innovation.
As he continues to meet influential figures in the U.S., he is determined to leverage his youth to forge valuable connections. “It’s more rare. It’s crazy you’re doing it this young,” he said, capturing the excitement and urgency of his entrepreneurial path.
The tech community is watching closely as Churven’s story unfolds. With potential funding avenues and the drive of a passionate young innovator, he is poised to make a significant impact in the startup world. Stay tuned for more updates on Alby Churven and his journey with Clovr as he navigates the challenges and triumphs of being a teenage entrepreneur.
