From Pencil Trading to Billionaire Status: Lucy Guo's Journey to Success

Lucy Guo, founder-CEO of Scale AI, is the youngest self-made billionaire at 30. She made money in second grade trading pencils and Pokémon cards and later coded bots to cheat games, built websites, and marketed tools through Google AdSense. She co-founded Scale AI in 2016 and left in 2018, but her near 5% ownership continues to underpin her wealth. Guo's boldness and hustle have translated into Silicon Valley success, and she has launched Backend Ventures and Passes, a platform helping creators monetize their content, which has raised over $65 million. Her days are structured around intense work, including 90-hour weeks, early morning workouts, and late-night coding sessions.

Lucy Guo, the 30-year-old self-made billionaire, has made a significant impact on the tech industry. Born in Fremont, California, Guo started her entrepreneurial journey at a young age, trading pencils and Pokémon cards in second grade. Her early fascination with technology led her to code bots to cheat games, build websites, and market tools through Google AdSense. These experiences laid the foundation for her future success.

In 2016, Guo co-founded Scale AI, a software provider that labels data for AI companies. Her near 5% ownership in the company continues to underpin her wealth. Scale AI recently sold a 49% stake to Meta Platforms Inc. for $14.3 billion, further solidifying Guo's status as a tech mogul [1].

Guo's boldness and hustle have translated into Silicon Valley success. After leaving Scale AI in 2018, she launched Backend Ventures and Passes, a platform that helps creators monetize their content. Passes has raised over $65 million in funding since its December 2022 launch [1].

Passes operates in a crowded field, with competitors like Patreon, Cameo, and OnlyFans. Despite the competition, Guo's platform has attracted a significant user base, with thousands of creators and millions of users. The company's headquarters in West Hollywood, California, is designed to capture the vibe of social media's biggest stars, offering influencers the infrastructure they need to turn their fame into fortune [1].

Guo's intense work ethic is evident in her daily routine. She advocates for a 90-hour workweek, early morning workouts, and late-night coding sessions. Her days are structured around optimizing every hour, a testament to her relentless drive and commitment to success [2].

Guo's journey from second-grade pencil trading to becoming one of the youngest self-made billionaires is a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit and determination. Her success story serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors alike.

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-29/ai-billionaire-lucy-guo-pushes-into-crowded-social-media-field
[2] https://www.financialexpress.com/life/lifestyle-9-am-to-9-pm-thats-work-life-balance-billionaire-lucy-guo-shares-intense-daily-routine-with-6-am-workouts-and-working-lunches-3960246/