A 16-year-old computer programmer from London has secured a $1 million investment for his AI startup, Beem. Toby Brown developed the concept in his bedroom and is now set to fly to San Francisco to join an accelerator program designed to help young businesses grow quickly. Brown has deferred his GCSEs until 2026 to focus on his venture.
He plans to further develop Beem upon returning to the UK, with the goal of launching it to the public within the next year. “It’s what we are calling an AI native computer — a computer that handles all the boring stuff, like finding files, going through your calendar or your emails, finding the right Airbnb if you’re taking a trip. It can also use the web,” Brown explained.
Beem is built on proactive context, learning about the user’s preferences and habits to provide reminders and assistance. Brown emphasized that the platform is optimized for humans, not just data. The concept was inspired by the rise of AI chatbots like Chat GPT, but Brown’s approach focuses on the user experience first.
“We are kind of doing what Apple did with the iPhone, we are starting with the user experience and working back into the tech and it works,” he said. Brown’s passion for technology started early.
Young coder secures major investment
He began coding at age seven, building math games, and constructed his first computer at age 10. At 13, he joined Hack Club, a global community of teenage hackers, becoming the youngest member of its leadership team. The $1 million investment comes from South Park Commons, a San Francisco-based venture capital fund.
It will be provided in two installments: $400,000 now and $600,000 when Brown raises his next round of capital. In return, the company will take a 7 percent stake in Beem. Brown’s parents, Claire and Alastair, will accompany him to San Francisco initially before leaving him in the care of a family friend.
They admit the prospect is terrifying but believe it would be wrong to stand in the way of this opportunity. Brown’s school friends recently learned of his decision to leave school and defer his GCSEs. They were more curious about his financial status than the details of Beem.
However, Brown emphasizes that money is not his primary motivation. “I’m just happy I found the thing that I’m interested in, the thing that I want to create — and not just because it could create billions of dollars in economic value,” he said. As a young entrepreneur, Brown’s journey highlights the growing opportunities available for innovators worldwide and the shifting definitions of success and education in the face of new industries and technologies.