At just 16, Toby Brown from the UK has made headlines by raising $1 million for his AI project, Beem, proving that age and conventional schooling are no barriers to innovation. In an as-told-to essay with Business Insider, Brown reveals how his fascination with coding, alarms, and tinkering with everyday tech set the stage for a venture that could redefine how people interact with technology.

Atypical Student, Typical Curiosity

Brown describes himself as an average student in school, often studying late into the night on his own terms rather than following traditional classroom routines. His passion for coding began at seven with a Raspberry Pi and evolved into self-directed experiments ranging from math games to early AI programs. Despite limited guidance, he taught himself through YouTube tutorials and Google searches, following a simple principle: pursue curiosity relentlessly.

Building Beem and Skipping School

In 2023, Brown conceptualized Beem, an AI platform designed to streamline tasks and protect users’ time. To fully commit, he decided to leave school and focus on the project, navigating the legal and logistical hurdles of skipping exams and applying for venture funding. “There was nobody to coach me on pitching to investors, so I just took a maniacal approach until I got it right,” he told Business Insider.

From London to Silicon Valley

During summer 2024, Brown pitched Beem to firms in London, New York, and Silicon Valley, refining his storytelling with each meeting. His breakthrough came in November 2024 with South Park Commons, a fund founded by early Facebook engineers, which invested $1 million via Zoom. To move to California, he secured an O-1 visa for “aliens of extraordinary ability,” overcoming challenges posed by his lack of formal diplomas.

Brown emphasizes the value of following curiosity over conventional success metrics. He encourages young creators to share their work openly, cultivate positivity, and embrace obsession with their projects rather than chasing easy profits. “When you’re young, you don’t have the constraints of jobs and bills on your curiosity. Find something you’re obsessed with, and just work at it,” he advises.

Now living in San Francisco, Brown is fully immersed in the vibrant energy of Silicon Valley. With Beem poised for growth, he plans to briefly return to complete his high-school exams but remains focused on expanding his AI venture. His journey underscores how curiosity-driven innovation, persistence, and self-belief can turn a teenager’s passion into a million-dollar reality.