URGENT UPDATE: Alby Churven, a 14-year-old entrepreneur from Wollongong, Australia, has taken the tech world by storm after his Y Combinator application went viral on social media platform X. Churven’s startup, Clovr, focuses on front-end vibecoding, and his story is capturing attention globally.
In a recent conversation with Business Insider, Churven revealed how his youth provides a unique “wow factor,” but also presents challenges in gaining credibility. “The benefits of starting young is that you don’t have as much pressure on you financially, so you can just build things,” he stated.
Churven’s journey began at the age of 12 when he launched an e-commerce venture called Alpha Grips, which ultimately failed. However, this early experience sparked his interest in business. “A lot of kids start with e-commerce, but social media often promotes the idea of ‘getting rich quick,’ leading many to scams,” he explained.
His latest endeavor, Finkel, caught the attention of notable entrepreneur Frank Greeff, who advised him to showcase his work publicly on social media. This led to his unconventional Y Combinator application video, which featured extensive editing—a departure from typical one-take submissions.
Churven’s tweet on November 10, 2025, announcing his application, quickly garnered attention: “Just applied to @ycombinator as a 14-year-old founder.”
As he navigates the startup landscape, the Australian government has imposed a new social media ban affecting individuals under 16. Churven voiced his frustration, stating, “All these great things have happened for me with it, but the social media ban is taking that away.”
The young founder sees his age as an advantage, allowing him to make valuable connections in the tech industry. “When you’re young, you can utilize your age to make a lot of connections,” he noted. Yet, he faces obstacles, including skepticism about his legitimacy. “My age is a wow factor, but it also limits legitimacy,” he admitted.
Funding remains a challenge for Churven, as he has been bootstrapping his projects due to difficulties in raising capital at such a young age. “I need some money for my projects, and I’ve applied to several accelerators,” he shared. Although he received an interview with Y Combinator for another startup, he was ultimately rejected.
Looking ahead, Churven emphasized the importance of gaining experience early. “I’ve heard you have to get in the system early, so when I’m older and I apply, I’ll already have experience with how the process works,” he stated.
Churven views grants as a viable funding option, despite their lower financial returns, as they allow him to retain equity. “Giving away equity young is not a good decision,” he cautioned, highlighting the pressure it creates for young entrepreneurs to perform.
As Alby Churven continues to build and innovate, the world watches closely. His journey underscores the potential and challenges faced by young entrepreneurs today, making him a compelling figure in the startup ecosystem.
Stay tuned for more updates on Churven’s ventures and the impact of his Y Combinator application as this story develops.
