News Summary

Kevin Hartz, co-founder of Xoom and Eventbrite, is focusing his investments on teenage founders through his venture firm, A* Capital. Hartz has allocated close to 20% of his fund to young entrepreneurs. This strategy aligns with a growing trend of ambitious teenagers opting out of traditional education paths to start their own companies. The movement has parallels with the Thiel Fellowship, which encourages young talent to drop out of college and pursue entrepreneurial ventures. Hartz’s investments reflect a broader shift towards individualism and self-employment, driven by technological advancements and changing job market dynamics. Programs like Z Fellows, founded by Cory Levy, support this trend by offering financial backing to young founders, including those still in high school. This trend is indicative of a ‘super cycle’ of technological expansion, with AI and other innovations creating new opportunities for young entrepreneurs.