High School Startup Founded in a Bathroom Raises $2.3 Million
The Unlikely Founder: Eric Zhu’s Journey to Building Aviato
From High School Bathroom to Venture Capital Stardom
Eric Zhu, the 17-year-old founder of Aviato, has achieved what many entrepreneurs can only dream of – securing $2.3 million in venture funding for his analytical platform that tracks private market data. But what’s even more remarkable is that this young entrepreneur started building his startup in a very atypical place: the bathroom of his Carmel, Indiana high school.
The Idea Behind Aviato
Aviato’s goal is to build a platform that resembles what SignalFire has built internally – a comprehensive database of private market data. Zhu credits his early interest in venture capital and startups from being in the right place at the right time during the pandemic. He learned about the space from Discord group chats he joined in 2020, when he was just 13 years old.
These group chats included people like Sam Altman, and it’s no wonder that Zhu’s passion for venture capital grew rapidly. In fact, his interest led him to launch a company called Esocial, a digital platform for schools, in 2021. Just 10 months later, the company was acquired. Shortly after, he joined Bachmanity Capital, which backs early-stage companies with strong government application potential.
The Birth of Aviato
It was during his time at Bachmanity Capital that Zhu got the idea for Aviato. He realized that while data startups like PitchBook and Crunchbase were good at tracking data, they were lacking an analytical layer that made these platforms truly useful. "Aviato came from the idea that private market data has been historically super unstructured," Zhu said. "That’s why funds are spending tens of millions of dollars to make their internal databases."
Building Aviato
To build Aviato, Zhu took meetings from his high school bathroom – a nod to HBO’s ‘Silicon Valley’ TV show. He’d set up in the stall with a green screen, a ring light, and an excuse to be out of class. Although he got kicked out by his teachers, this unusual setup was where the idea for Aviato began taking shape.
Securing Funding
In securing $2.3 million in funding, Zhu’s vision for Aviato has come closer to reality. With a growing customer base that includes venture funds and private equity firms, the young entrepreneur wants to replace PitchBook as the go-to platform for private market data.
The Future of Private Market Data
Aviato’s ambition is nothing short of revolutionary – to democratize access to private market data. By making this information more accessible, Aviato aims to level the playing field for investors and funds alike. With its innovative approach and talented young founder at the helm, it will be exciting to see how Aviato shapes the future of private market data.
Key Players in Aviato’s Journey
- Eric Zhu: The 17-year-old founder of Aviato with a vision for revolutionizing private market data.
- SignalFire: A venture capital firm whose internal database inspired Zhu to create Aviato.
- Bachmanity Capital: A company where Zhu gained valuable experience before starting his own venture.
Reactions and Insights
This incredible story has sparked widespread interest, with many in the startup community praising Zhu’s determination and vision. As one investor noted, "Eric’s achievement is a testament to the power of young entrepreneurs changing the game."
With Aviato on the rise, it will be fascinating to see how this innovative platform continues to disrupt the private market data landscape.
