This narrative, told in Christine Zhang’s own words, originates from an extended conversation with the nineteen-year-old entrepreneur and cofounder of a rapidly growing startup headquartered in San Francisco. The account has been carefully refined for both coherence and concision while preserving the authenticity of her reflections.
At only nineteen, I find myself in the remarkable and somewhat surreal position of being entrusted with more than a million dollars in funding to develop a company from the ground up. When this opportunity first materialized, the idea seemed almost outlandish — perhaps even reckless. Yet, as I allowed the gravity of the moment to settle in, I recognized it as an extraordinary chance to pursue something many people only dream of: transforming an abstract idea into a tangible venture supported by genuine belief from others.
Over the summer, I made what many considered a risky decision: instead of committing to a secure internship, I chose to spend two full months living in what is known as a hacker house in San Francisco. My cofounder — who also happens to be my college roommate — and I dedicated ourselves entirely to building our startup in that unconventional but intensely creative environment. At the time, I had no inkling that this period would mark a major turning point in my life and that I would not, in fact, be returning to Harvard for my sophomore year.
By the end of that pivotal summer, we succeeded in raising more than one million dollars in funding — a milestone that cemented our decision to remain in San Francisco and see just how far our project could go. Coming from an immigrant Chinese family, my parents had always viewed my acceptance into Harvard as the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice. Naturally, when I told them I intended to take time off from such a prestigious institution to run a startup, they thought the choice bordered on insanity. Their disbelief, though understandable, underscored the generational and cultural divides that often arise when younger people choose unconventional paths.
Business Insider’s ‘Young Geniuses’ series highlights individuals like me — part of a new wave of inventive thinkers, founders, and creative problem-solvers intent on reshaping industries and addressing the pressing global challenges of our time. The purpose of this series is to showcase the diversity of vision among my peers — those whose ambition compels them to reinvent norms and redefine possibilities.
Even though I aspire to return to Harvard in the future, the pull of this opportunity was too powerful to ignore. I knew that if I turned it down, I would live with a constant sense of regret. My cofounder, Julia, and I met during our first year as roommates at Harvard, and that friendship evolved into a partnership rooted in mutual trust and aligned ambition. Choosing a cofounder is an enormous commitment — akin to entering into a professional marriage — because every major decision, from product design to company culture, must be made jointly. Fortunately, Julia and I continue to share an incredibly close bond, balancing friendship and collaboration despite the layered challenges of our venture.
Since receiving our initial investment, we have expanded rapidly and now manage a small but dynamic team of six individuals. We remain in the experimental phase, honing our product vision, and recently redirected our efforts toward what we call ‘generative optimization.’ This concept parallels traditional search engine optimization but is designed specifically for large language models — an emerging field filled with technical and commercial potential.
Nevertheless, maintaining harmony between friendship and entrepreneurship has proven to be one of our greatest ongoing struggles. Because both Julia and I are self-proclaimed workaholics and even share an apartment, the boundary between professional interaction and personal connection often blurs. Work permeates nearly every conversation, regardless of intent. To be candid, we have yet to find the equilibrium that allows both aspects of our lives to thrive independently.
Ironically, our work-life balance was arguably healthier when we lived in the hacker house. Building a startup in any capacity can become an all-consuming pursuit. The process is both exhilarating and isolating because every hour revolves around the company. Most founders I know in San Francisco express similar sentiments — acknowledging the loneliness that accompanies constant striving.
When I first moved into the hacker house, the environment felt intimidating and overwhelming. Yet, to my surprise, it became a source of unexpected connection. I forged deep friendships with others who were just as relentlessly focused on their own projects. Looking back, I realize I often took that environment for granted. I spent the majority of my time secluded in my room working tirelessly; that habit hasn’t changed. The difference is that now, when I feel stuck or disconnected, I can no longer simply step into a hallway full of like-minded peers for spontaneous inspiration or conversation.
Being a young female founder in San Francisco introduces another layer of complexity. The tech ecosystem here remains skewed in perception and gender dynamics. In conversations with many male peers, I frequently encounter inflated notions of technical expertise — people who claim proficiency yet rely primarily on prompting tools. Conversely, when I discuss technical capability with women in this space, the benchmarks tend to be far more concrete and skill-oriented. Along the way, my cofounder and I have experienced moments that range from subtly dismissive to explicitly disrespectful — individuals who underestimate our technical competence or credibility as founders simply because of our age and gender. Still, I would never discourage other young women from entering this field; the challenges are real, but the rewards of pushing through them are equally profound.
There are many aspects of college life that I miss deeply. When I first stepped onto Harvard’s campus as a freshman, I was inexperienced and somewhat overwhelmed. Between balancing my startup ambitions and involvement in eight extracurricular clubs, my academic focus suffered. I now look back with some regret, realizing how much I could have absorbed from my professors had my attention been more centered. I miss the routine joys of university life — studying with friends, attending lectures, and enjoying spontaneous social moments that felt worlds away from the pressure of entrepreneurship.
When the new academic year began, I actually deleted my Instagram account to avoid the constant feeling of FOMO as I watched classmates resume their campus routines. While I occasionally experience pangs of nostalgia for those familiar rhythms, I do not regret the path I chose. Over time, that sense of missing out has softened, replaced by growing gratitude for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity before me.
To many aspiring founders, building a company in San Francisco represents the fulfillment of a dream — the heart of the startup ecosystem, where innovation and ambition converge daily. Although I sometimes long for the normalcy and structured learning of college, I am acutely aware of my privilege and the extraordinary position I occupy at such a young age. Simply having the ability to attract investors who believed in what we were building is a victory in itself.
At present, I technically have up to seven years to return to Harvard, and I am seriously considering taking another year off to give undivided attention to the company. My return timeline hinges entirely on how successfully our startup evolves: whether customers embrace our product, whether our team continues to grow in sync, and whether we achieve the milestones we have set. When I eventually do return, I anticipate engaging with my coursework in a far deeper, more mature way. I will bring back not only knowledge from lived experience but also a perspective shaped by leadership, risk, and the unpredictable realities of building something from nothing.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/left-harvard-to-chase-startup-dream-miss-being-student-2025-10
