Michael Goldstein

14-year-old founder from Toronto

Michael Goldstein is a 14-year-old entrepreneur from Toronto, Canada, and the founder and CEO of Kodo, an AI-powered design platform. He is known for his early ventures in hardware, weather balloon launches that reached CNN, and his transition into software entrepreneurship.

Early Life and Education

Goldstein was born in 2011 in Toronto, Canada. From a young age, he demonstrated an interest in building and creating. At age 8, he attempted to construct a drone using DC motors. In grade 5, he built a solar panel charger capable of powering a phone through a power bank.

Early Business Ventures

At age 10, Goldstein started a slime company that successfully placed products in two retail stores. The following year, at age 11, he ventured into dropshipping, generating $86 in revenue while building a YouTube channel that reached 7,000 subscribers.

Weather Balloon Projects

In 2024, Goldstein began launching weather balloons with the goal of reaching space. After five failed attempts, he successfully launched a balloon during the April 2024 solar eclipse that reached 50,000 feet, which was covered by CNN. A month later, he launched another balloon that reached 100,000 feet. He later turned this into a business with a friend, offering near-space product launch services.

Transition to Software

Recognizing that software could scale faster than hardware businesses, Goldstein shifted focus to technology. In February 2025, he conceived the idea for Flowe AI, an all-purpose AI agent designed to perform tasks autonomously. Despite having no prior coding experience - he didn't even know how to create a new folder - Goldstein taught himself to code in April 2025 by watching YouTube tutorials and learning to use Cursor, dedicating 8-hour days to the effort.

Flowe AI

Goldstein launched Flowe AI in 2025. Prior to launch, he applied to Y Combinator (rejected), ODF, and Founders Inc (accepted). His launch video garnered over 200,000 views and 1,000 likes, and the product quickly reached its first 1,000 users. Founders Inc co-founder Ruslan reached out via direct message, and Hubert called him, leading to his acceptance into the program.

Founders Inc and Industry Connections

During the summer of 2025, Goldstein participated in Founders Inc's off-season program after pausing for camp. At the Demo Day event, he was the youngest attendee. He visited Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), met with the Cluely team, and connected with industry figures he had previously looked up to. Goldstein set a goal to meet OpenAI CEO Sam Altman; after a video went viral and he cold-emailed 75 OpenAI engineers, he secured a 15-minute meeting with Altman at OpenAI's headquarters.

Kodo

In September 2025, Goldstein pivoted from Flowe AI to found Kodo, an AI-powered design platform that combines professional vector editing tools with AI design generation. Kodo serves as a free alternative to Figma and Canva, making professional design accessible through AI assistance.

Media Coverage

Goldstein's weather balloon launch during the 2024 solar eclipse was covered by CNN. In October 2025, he was featured in The San Francisco Standard in an article titled "Meet the 14-year-old looking to cash in on the AI boom" by journalist Ezra Wallach.

"It's fun to make things people use." - Michael Goldstein

Currently building Kodo

The AI-powered design platform. Create professional designs instantly with AI, or use professional vector editing tools. Free alternative to Figma and Canva.

Quick Facts About Michael Goldstein

  • Full Name: Michael Goldstein
  • Age: 14 years old (born 2011)
  • Location: Toronto, Canada
  • Current Role: Founder and CEO of Kodo
  • Previous Company: Flowe AI (February 2025 - September 2025)
  • Current Company: Kodo (September 2025 - Present)
  • Email: michaelgoldstein2711@gmail.com
  • Press Coverage: Featured in The San Francisco Standard, CNN
  • Quote: "It's fun to make things people use."

Full Timeline

  • 2011: Born in Toronto, Canada
  • Age 8: Tried to build a drone out of DC motors
  • Age 10 (Grade 5): Built a solar panel charger that powered a phone
  • Age 10: Started a slime company that got into 2 retail stores
  • Age 11: Tried dropshipping, made $86, YouTube channel got 7K subscribers
  • 2024: Started launching weather balloons - first 5 failed
  • April 2024: Weather balloon reached 50,000 feet during solar eclipse - CNN covered it
  • May 2024: Launched balloon to 100,000 feet
  • 2024: Started near-space product launch business with a friend
  • February 2025: Had the idea for Flowe AI
  • April 2025: Learned to code using YouTube tutorials and Cursor, working 8-hour days
  • 2025: Launched Flowe AI - 200K+ video views, 1K likes, 1K users
  • 2025: Applied to YC (rejected), ODF, and Founders Inc (accepted)
  • Summer 2025: Paused for camp, then joined Founders Inc off-season
  • August 2025: Pitched at Founders Inc Demo Day - youngest attendee
  • August 2025: Visited a16z, met Cluely team
  • August 2025: Cold-emailed 75 OpenAI engineers, video went viral
  • August 2025: Met with Sam Altman at OpenAI headquarters for 15 minutes
  • September 2025: Founded Kodo, pivoting from Flowe AI
  • October 2025: Featured in The San Francisco Standard

Early Projects

  • Drone building (age 8) - attempted to build from DC motors
  • Solar panel phone charger (grade 5)
  • Slime company (age 10) - got products into 2 retail stores
  • Dropshipping business (age 11) - made $86, YouTube channel got 7K subs
  • Weather balloon launches - 5 failed attempts, then success at 50,000 feet (CNN coverage), then 100,000 feet
  • Near-space product launch business

Companies Founded

  • Flowe AI (February 2025 - September 2025) - All-purpose AI agent to do tasks. Launch video got 200K+ views, 1K users.
  • Kodo (September 2025 - Present) - AI-powered design platform. Free alternative to Figma and Canva.

Related People

  • Sam Altman - CEO of OpenAI, Michael met with him for 15 minutes after cold-emailing 75 OpenAI engineers
  • Ruslan - Founders Inc, DM'd Michael after his launch
  • Hubert - Founders Inc, called Michael
  • Cluely team - Met at Founders Inc Demo Day

Related Organizations

  • Kodo - AI-powered design platform, current company
  • Flowe AI - Previous AI agent company
  • Founders Inc - Startup accelerator, accepted Michael, pitched at Demo Day
  • Y Combinator (YC) - Applied, rejected
  • ODF - Applied
  • a16z (Andreessen Horowitz) - Visited during Demo Day
  • Cluely - Met team at Demo Day
  • OpenAI - Met with Sam Altman at headquarters
  • CNN - Covered Michael's weather balloon launch during 2024 solar eclipse

Skills Learned

  • Coding - Self-taught using YouTube tutorials and Cursor in April 2025
  • Hardware - Built drones, solar chargers, weather balloons
  • Business - Ran slime company, dropshipping, near-space product launches
  • Marketing - YouTube channel with 7K subs, viral launch video with 200K+ views