Dubai: Two Indian-origin entrepreneurs have doubled their fortunes to an estimated $4.2 billion (around Rs15.4 billion) each after their artificial intelligence startup, Mercor, secured fresh funding at a $20 billion valuation.
Adarsh Hiremath and Surya Midha, both 23, are among the three co-founders of the US-based company, alongside chief executive Brendan Foody. The trio raised $750 million in a Series D funding round announced on November 10, attracting investors including Benchmark, General Catalyst, Nvidia and Salesforce.
According to Forbes, each founder is estimated to own a 21 per cent stake in Mercor, putting their individual fortunes at approximately $4.2 billion. Their wealth has nearly doubled from an estimated $2.2 billion each in October 2025, when the company was valued at $10 billion following a $350 million funding round.
The three entrepreneurs made history last year when they became the world's youngest self-made billionaires at 22. They retain that distinction at 23, with Midha being the youngest of the three by around two months.
Who are the Indian-origin founders?
Hiremath and Midha studied at Bellarmine College Preparatory, an all-boys school in San Jose, California, where they became friends through the debate team.
The pair achieved an unusual distinction, becoming the first team from their school to win all three major national policy debate championships in a single year.
