Biography
Nick D'Aloisio is a British-Australian entrepreneur who created the news summarization app Summly at age 15. He sold the app to Yahoo for a reported $30 million at age 17, making him one of the youngest self-made millionaires in technology history.
Early Start
D'Aloisio taught himself to code at age 12 and began developing iPhone apps. He created Summly while studying for exams, frustrated by having to read lengthy articles to find key information.
Challenges Overcome
As a teenager, D'Aloisio had to convince adult investors and tech industry veterans to take him seriously. He balanced building a company with completing his education and navigating the pressures of sudden fame.
Key Achievements
- Created Summly app at age 15
- Sold company to Yahoo for $30 million at age 17
- Named to Time magazine's list of most influential teens
- Received investment from celebrities including Ashton Kutcher
- Became Yahoo's youngest employee
Why They Inspire Us
Nick D'Aloisio demonstrates that age is no barrier to innovation and entrepreneurship. His story shows that young people can identify real problems and create solutions that the world values.
"I think the biggest innovations of the 21st century will be at the intersection of biology and technology."