Toby Brown, a 16-year-old computer programmer from London, has secured a $1 million investment from Silicon Valley for his AI startup, Beem. 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.
Upon returning to the UK, he plans to further develop Beem, with the goal of launching it to the public within the next year. Beem is an AI native computer that handles tasks such as finding files, going through calendars and emails, and even finding the right Airbnb for a trip. It is built on proactive context, learning about the user’s preferences and habits to provide reminders and assistance.
Brown explained that the platform is optimized for humans, not just data. We are kind of doing what Apple did with the iPhone, starting with the user experience and working back into the tech, and it works,” he said. The concept was inspired by the rise of AI chatbots like ChatGPT, but Brown’s approach focuses on the user experience first.
Brown’s passion for technology started early, as he began coding at age seven, building math games, and constructed his first computer at age 10.
Teen entrepreneur defers exams for Beem
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.
