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Young founders leave corporate roles to launch businesses
Arnau Ayerbe and Pablo Jiménez de Parga Ramos, both 24, turned down stable careers at JP Morgan and another corporate firm to co-found Throxy, an AI-driven sales platform. Their decision reflects a broader trend among Gen Z professionals in the UK, where 62% express a desire to start their own businesses, according to Enterprise Nation.
Throxy secures £5m in funding with AI-driven approach
Based in London, Throxy has raised nearly £5 million across two investment rounds and reports annual revenues approaching £1.2 million. The company develops AI agents tailored for sales teams, leveraging the founders' early exposure to tools like ChatGPT during their university research projects.
"Working with early AI models felt like magic. We knew this technology would fundamentally change how we work," Ayerbe said.
Ayerbe admitted the journey has been demanding, describing Throxy's work culture as a "9-9-6" schedule-9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. "If I had known how much effort this would take, I might never have started," he added.
AI unicorns increasingly founded by younger entrepreneurs
Research by investment network Antler reveals a sharp decline in the average age of founders behind AI startups valued at over $1 billion. In 2020, the typical age was 40; by 2024, it had dropped to 29. The shift underscores Gen Z's comfort with emerging technologies and their willingness to take entrepreneurial risks.
Age bias challenges young founders
Rosie Skuse, founder of Molto Music Group, faced skepticism early in her career due to her youth. Clients and partners often assumed she was an assistant rather than the CEO. "It was frustrating, but the surprise factor became a secret weapon," Skuse recalled. "Once I started speaking, people listened."
Now 29, Skuse's company curates bespoke music experiences for luxury brands like Hermes and venues such as The Savoy. Despite launching in 2019 and weathering pandemic disruptions, Molto Music Group achieved £1.6 million in revenue in 2025 and employs seven full-time staff.
Veteran entrepreneurs caution against rushing growth
Lee Broders, a serial entrepreneur with seven ventures, warns that rapid expansion can mask underlying weaknesses. "Growing fast doesn't guarantee sustainability," said Broders, 53. "A £1 million turnover means little if costs are £990,000."
Sarah Skelton, co-founder of recruitment firm Flourish, highlights another challenge for young founders: limited networks. "Leadership skills and industry connections often develop over years in traditional roles," she noted. "Starting a business at 24 means missing out on decades of experience."
