UPDATE: A viral application by 14-year-old entrepreneur Alby Churven has sparked discussions about the benefits and challenges of starting a business at a young age. Churven, who founded the startup Clovr, submitted his application to Y Combinator on November 10, 2025, and it quickly gained traction on social media platform X.
Churven revealed that his age provides a unique “wow factor,” but also presents challenges in terms of being taken seriously in the startup ecosystem. He stated, “My age is a wow factor, but it also limits legitimacy,” highlighting the dual-edged sword of youth in business.
The young founder from Wollongong, Australia, reflected on his entrepreneurial journey, which began at just 12 years old with a failed e-commerce venture. “I was really interested in business after that,” he shared. Churven’s latest project, Clovr, aims to innovate in the tech space, and he credits social media for fueling his interest. “Seeing other people building brands and businesses got me into it,” he stated.
Churven’s unconventional application video, which deviated from typical YC instructions, stood out and contributed to its virality. “I guess that’s what made it pretty viral,” he noted, acknowledging that he didn’t follow the standard guidelines.
However, Churven faces significant hurdles, particularly with a new social media ban in Australia for users under 16 years old, which he believes limits opportunities for young entrepreneurs. “All these great things have happened for me with it, but the social media ban is taking that away,” he lamented.
Despite these challenges, Churven sees his youth as an advantage, stating, “The benefits of starting young is that you don’t have as much pressure on you financially, so you can just build things.” His goal is to gain as much experience as possible before traditional pressures set in.
As he navigates the startup world, Churven has his eyes set on the future. He aims to build connections and learn through early experiences, believing that “being young, you can utilize your age to make a lot of connections.” However, he also recognizes the importance of being cautious about equity. Churven expressed concerns, saying, “Giving away equity young is not a good decision.”
As he prepares for further applications to accelerators, Churven remains optimistic about opportunities like grants, which allow for growth without sacrificing equity. “I think grants are a really good opportunity,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of maintaining control in his projects.
The conversation around young entrepreneurs like Churven is gaining traction, raising questions about the support systems available for them, and how society perceives youth in business. As the landscape evolves, many are watching closely to see how Churven’s journey unfolds.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story and the impact of young innovators in the tech world.
