How One Student CEO Is Balancing Campus Business and Classwork

Student CEO at 19: A New Kind of Campus Entrepreneur

When I first heard about Maya Chen, a 19-year-old who's already running her own tech startup while pursuing academic credit through her university, I was curious to see how someone so young could juggle so much. Her journey isn't just about hustle—it's a window into how modern students are redefining success.

Maya, a junior at Stanford University, co-founded EdiPath, a student-focused educational platform that helps users navigate academic and career paths through AI-driven insights. It's not your typical student project. EdiPath is already generating revenue, serving over 50,000 students, and has attracted early-stage investors who see real potential in Maya's vision.

"I never thought I'd be the CEO of a company while still in school," Maya told me during a phone interview. "But it's been an incredible learning experience."

Learning While Building

Maya's path began with a simple idea: make college more accessible and less overwhelming for students. Her journey started when she noticed that many students struggled with choosing the right courses, understanding career trajectories, or accessing mentorship.

"I felt like I was constantly asking myself, 'What am I even doing here? What's next?'" she recalls. "That's what drove me to start EdiPath."

Her university recognized the value of her initiative and allowed her to earn academic credit through a specially designed program that integrates entrepreneurship into coursework. This kind of support is becoming more common across U.S. universities as institutions recognize the need to adapt to student-driven innovation.

The Business Side

EdiPath's core offering is a personalized learning path tool powered by machine learning algorithms. Users input their major, interests, and career goals, and receive tailored recommendations for courses, internships, and even extracurriculars that align with those ambitions.

The platform has been particularly effective in helping students who are unsure of their direction—a growing challenge in an era where academic and career paths can feel increasingly complex. Maya's team is now working on expanding into other universities, with early talks underway with several major institutions.

"We're not trying to replace professors or counselors," Maya explains. "We're trying to be a bridge—helping students make informed decisions before they feel lost."

What's Next for Maya?

While she's focused on growing EdiPath, Maya is also planning to take her studies further. She's considering pursuing a master's degree in business or education technology, possibly with the goal of scaling EdiPath beyond Stanford.

"I want to help more students find their path," she says. "That's what drives me every day."

A Growing Trend Among Students

Maya's story isn't unique. Across the country, more and more students are turning their academic experiences into entrepreneurial opportunities. From apps to social enterprises, student-founded startups are gaining traction and investment.

• Harvard University's HackMIT has seen over 200 student-led ventures launched in the past year alone.
• The University of California system supports its own innovation lab, where students can earn credit for developing tech solutions.
• Stanford's StartX program has helped launch over 150 startups with student involvement.

This shift signals a broader change in how institutions and students view the relationship between education and enterprise. The traditional academic model is being adapted to meet real-world needs—especially for students who want to create impact while still in school.

The Challenges of Student Entrepreneurship

Of course, not every student has access to the same resources or institutional support as Maya. Launching a startup requires capital, mentorship, and often, a network that can help navigate legal and financial complexities.

"There's still a lot of work to be done," Maya acknowledges. "Not everyone has the luxury of doing this while still in school. We're lucky to have a supportive ecosystem around us."

But what's inspiring about Maya's story is that it shows how far students can go when given the right tools and opportunities. It's also a reminder that the future of education and business may not be as separate as we once thought.

The Bigger Picture

In an era where generational change is happening at breakneck speed, Maya's journey reflects something much bigger: how the next wave of leaders is already shaping their futures in ways that challenge traditional norms. Whether it's through entrepreneurship, activism, or creative expression, today's students are pushing boundaries in unprecedented ways.

Maya's story is a reminder that success isn't always measured by GPA or standardized test scores—it can also be found in innovation, resilience, and the courage to take on challenges that others might not think possible. As she continues to grow EdiPath and pursue her academic goals, I'm excited to see where her journey leads next.