I'm 18 and cofounded an AI startup with teens around the world who I've never met in-person. I had no network, so I built one online — here's how.

At just 18 years old, I've embarked on a remarkable journey, co-founding an AI startup dedicated to improving Alzheimer's diagnostics alongside a team of talented teens from around the globe. Despite never meeting in person, we’ve come together online to turn a shared vision into reality. My typical day begins at 3 a.m. with a flurry of notifications from teammates across time zones—messages from web developers in California, GitHub updates from Florida, and research papers shared by colleagues in Michigan. By 7:50 a.m., I transition to my role as a high school senior in Seoul, juggling classes and the demands of our startup, Reteena, which symbolizes our mission to enhance Alzheimer's diagnostic tools. The fight against Alzheimer's is deeply personal for me; I’ve witnessed family members suffer from this devastating disease. It was this emotional connection that prompted me to seek solutions, leading me to apply for a competition aimed at funding health innovations. Knowing I couldn’t tackle this challenge alone, I reached out to potential collaborators through online forums, sharing my ideas on Discord and GitHub. After many rejections, I finally found my team—the first yes came from California, followed by members from Florida and Michigan, culminating in a diverse group of six. Initially self-funded, our focus has been on improving low-field MRI technology, which is more affordable and accessible for communities in need. By incorporating machine learning techniques, we aim to enhance the diagnostic capabilities of this portable imaging method. However, the journey has not been without its challenges. As I managed the team’s diverse schedules and expectations, I grappled with self-doubt and the weight of our collective aspirations. Our breakthrough came when our first piece of research was accepted at the prestigious IEEE BigData 2024 Conference. This pivotal moment validated our hard work and ignited our ambition. Since then, our team has doubled, and we’ve expanded our research to explore how speech patterns and genetic markers can detect Alzheimer's earlier than existing methods. Transparency has been key to our growth; we regularly share our progress on LinkedIn, building connections with mentors and industry professionals who appreciate our dedication. Recently, we launched our first consumer product, Remembrance, which utilizes AI to help Alzheimer's patients reconnect with their memories through reminiscence therapy. Navigating the complexities of the healthcare sector has proven to be a formidable challenge, especially when faced with compliance hurdles when seeking to test our product with real patients. However, these obstacles have only strengthened our resolve. We are learning invaluable lessons at a young age, and while the future of Reteena is uncertain, the journey itself has been transformative. Ultimately, our mission transcends mere success; it’s about tackling real-world problems, inspiring others, and understanding the importance of the process. This endeavor is a testament to the power of youthful innovation and collaboration.