TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Cal AI’s Zach Yadegari on how to create viral growth and capitalize on it
Zach Yadegari joins the Builders Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 to share how he capitalized on viral growth. Save up to $200 before September 25. Save 50% on a second pass.
In 2026, Cal AI founder Zach Yadegari will share insights on how to create viral growth and capitalize on it at TechCrunch Disrupt. At just 17 years old, Yadegari co-founded Cal AI, an AI-powered nutrition app that gained over 15 million downloads and generated $30 million in annual revenue before his 20th birthday. The app allows users to track their meals by snapping a photo, and its rapid success caught the attention of MyFitnessPal, which acquired Cal AI in 2025.
At Disrupt, Yadegari will discuss the challenges and opportunities of building a breakout consumer app, including the product pressure that comes with rapid growth and the importance of turning viral attention into long-term retention and company building. His story showcases the both sides of a viral breakout, and offers valuable lessons for founders seeking to achieve similar success.
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