Before he even walked across the stage to receive his college diploma, SoundHound’s founder had already launched three software startups. Today, the millionaire tech CEO is sharing insights for the next generation of entrepreneurs, encouraging Gen Z to approach business ventures with strategy, focus, and disciplined execution rather than random experimentation.
Early Start, Early Success
The journey of SoundHound’s founder began in his teenage years, immersed in coding and software development. By the time he was in college, he had already tested the waters of entrepreneurship multiple times. While not every early project became a commercial success, each startup provided invaluable lessons in leadership, product development, and navigating the challenges of launching a business.
“Starting young gave me a unique perspective,” he explained in a recent interview. “Even the ventures that didn’t scale taught me critical lessons about risk, timing, and market understanding.”
Building SoundHound: A Vision for AI-Powered Audio
SoundHound, the company he eventually founded and scaled, focuses on voice AI and natural language processing. The platform enables users to interact with technology through speech, offering solutions ranging from voice-activated search to intelligent assistants. Under his leadership, SoundHound has become a recognized name in the competitive AI landscape, blending cutting-edge technology with practical applications in consumer and enterprise markets.
The success of SoundHound underscores the importance of leveraging technical expertise to solve real-world problems. According to the CEO, having a strong foundation in coding and software development was critical in building a product that could compete with established tech giants.
Lessons for Gen Z Entrepreneurs
Speaking directly to aspiring entrepreneurs, especially Gen Z, the SoundHound founder emphasizes thoughtful planning over impulsive action.
- “Don’t just throw darts randomly”: Success rarely comes from chasing every opportunity without a clear strategy. Entrepreneurs should focus on a few key ideas, research their markets thoroughly, and iterate intelligently.
- Leverage Your Skills Early: Technical ability, creativity, and adaptability are valuable assets. Early exploration can help identify strengths and potential niches.
- Learn from Failure: Not every project will succeed, but each provides crucial lessons that inform future ventures. Failure is a stepping stone, not a dead end.
- Build Resilience: Startups are inherently challenging, requiring patience, persistence, and the ability to navigate setbacks.
The CEO notes that young entrepreneurs often underestimate the value of experience gained from smaller projects, internships, or personal initiatives. Even ventures that don’t become overnight successes contribute to the skill set necessary for larger, more impactful startups.
The Changing Landscape for Young Founders
Gen Z faces unique challenges and opportunities. Digital natives have unprecedented access to technology, global markets, and online communities. This connectivity allows for rapid prototyping, crowdfunding, and remote team-building. However, the founder cautions that access alone is not enough; strategy, discipline, and market awareness remain critical.
“Technology opens doors, but it doesn’t replace the need for business acumen,” he said. “Young founders must combine innovation with a clear plan and the patience to see ideas through.”
A Message of Encouragement
Despite the hurdles, the message to Gen Z is optimistic: entrepreneurship is achievable with focus and perseverance. The SoundHound CEO’s own trajectory — multiple startups before graduation, culminating in a successful AI company — illustrates that early initiative, paired with strategic thinking, can lay the foundation for remarkable success.
His advice is straightforward: start early, learn continuously, plan deliberately, and don’t be afraid to fail. In a world where opportunities are abundant but competition is fierce, deliberate action and thoughtful experimentation distinguish the future business leaders from the rest.
