In the ever-evolving world of technology and artificial intelligence, few names have risen as swiftly and impressively as Adarsh Hiremath. An Indian-American entrepreneur, Adarsh is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Mercor, an AI recruiting startup that is redefining how humans and machines collaborate. At just 22 years old, he became one of the world’s youngest self-made billionaires, joining an elite league that once included icons like Mark Zuckerberg.
But behind this monumental success lies a story of vision, courage, and relentless pursuit of innovation — the essence of the Adarsh Hiremath entrepreneur journey.
Adarsh Hiremath: Early Life and Spark of Innovation
Born and raised in the Bay Area, California, Adarsh Hiremath was surrounded by technology, creativity, and ambition from an early age. He attended Bellarmine College Preparatory, where his sharp intellect and analytical thinking stood out. It was here that he met his future co-founders — Brendan Foody and Surya Midha — during their time on the school’s debate team.
While most students were focused on academics and sports, Adarsh and his friends spent hours discussing the future of artificial intelligence and global innovation. Those conversations would one day lead to the creation of Mercor, a startup that would reshape the AI ecosystem.
From Harvard to a Billion-Dollar Dream
Adarsh’s academic brilliance earned him a place at Harvard University, where he enrolled in a concurrent bachelor’s and master’s program in Computer Science. However, he soon realized that the pace of academic life couldn’t match the urgency of his entrepreneurial vision.
In a bold move that defined his destiny, Adarsh Hiremath dropped out of Harvard during his sophomore year to fully dedicate himself to building Mercor. His decision was met with both skepticism and admiration — but he remained steadfast.
That leap of faith soon caught the attention of one of Silicon Valley’s most visionary programs — the Thiel Fellowship, founded by billionaire Peter Thiel. The fellowship, which provides a $100,000 grant and mentorship to young innovators who drop out of college to pursue their ideas, became the springboard for Adarsh and his co-founders’ meteoric rise.
Adarsh Hiremath: The Birth and Rise of Mercor
In 2023, Adarsh Hiremath, Brendan Foody, and Surya Midha founded Mercor, a San Francisco-based AI recruitment platform. Initially, their mission was to connect freelance programmers in India with global tech companies using AI-driven tools that could assess coding skills and match candidates with employers.
However, the trio quickly recognized a broader opportunity — one that would place Mercor at the heart of the AI revolution. As large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s GPT evolved, there arose a growing demand for domain experts — scientists, lawyers, doctors, and engineers — to train and refine these models.
Mercor pivoted brilliantly, transitioning from a recruitment tool to a platform that connects human experts with AI labs. Under Adarsh’s leadership as CTO, the company built cutting-edge systems to help organizations like OpenAI and Anthropic improve the accuracy, depth, and ethics of their AI models.
By October 2025, Mercor had become one of the most watched AI startups in the world, featured on Bloomberg’s “24 AI Startups to Watch in 2026” list. A $350 million Series C funding round soon followed, valuing the company at $10 billion — and turning its young founders into self-made billionaires.
Leadership, Vision, and Innovation
As Chief Technology Officer, Adarsh Hiremath plays a pivotal role in shaping Mercor’s technological vision. He oversees product innovation, AI architecture, and engineering strategy, ensuring that Mercor remains at the forefront of responsible and intelligent automation.
Under his direction, the company’s workforce has grown steadily — with a 12.8% increase in headcount over two years, reflecting both its success and its commitment to fostering a culture of innovation.
Mercor’s official website, www.mercor.com, has become a hub for companies and professionals eager to collaborate with the next generation of AI systems. Beyond its products, Mercor maintains a vibrant presence on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook, where it continues to inspire a global community of technologists, researchers, and dreamers.
Breaking Records and Making History
The Adarsh Hiremath entrepreneur journey is a symbol of how vision and determination can redefine what’s possible. In 2025, when Mercor’s valuation soared, Adarsh and his co-founders became the youngest self-made billionaires in history, surpassing Mark Zuckerberg’s record.
Their achievements earned them a place on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for 2025, marking them as pioneers of a new digital age — one where youth, intelligence, and innovation converge to create global impact.