When people talk about entrepreneurs who challenge the rules of what’s possible, Jessica Mah consistently rises to the top of the list. She didn’t wait until her twenties or thirties to start thinking about business; she was already starting ventures before most of us were even worrying about high school.
Today, Jess is known as an entrepreneur, venture builder, and mentor. She’s scaled companies into the millions, been in magazines, and is now helping other founders bring bold ideas to life. Her journey is a roadmap for resilience, creativity, and reinvention.
How a Middle Schooler Built a Six-Figure Business
Born in 1990 in Westchester County, New York, Jessica Mah grew up in a household that embodied the entrepreneurial spirit. Her parents, immigrants from Hong Kong, were entrepreneurs in the clothing business, and their work ethic left a lasting impression on her.
From an early age, Jess gravitated toward technology and problem-solving. At 11 years old, she began her first business reselling server space. By 13, she was running an internet company selling computer parts on eBay.
Through these early successes, Jessica learned firsthand how to generate revenue, manage customers, and think like a founder. While most kids her age were focused on school dances or soccer practice, Jess was learning lessons about risk, reward, and responsibility that would define her career.
Jess Mah’s Path Through Bard College at Simon’s Rock and UC Berkeley
Jessica Mah’s academic journey was as unconventional as her entrepreneurial one. Though she’s clearly brilliant, she was spending 40 hours a week on her business, meaning school just wasn’t her priority. Instead, Jess made a bold pivot: At 15, she enrolled at Bard College at Simon’s Rock, an early college designed for ambitious students.
From there, she transferred to the University of California, Berkeley, one of the nation’s top computer science programs. By 19, she had graduated with her CS degree, years ahead of most peers who were still figuring out their majors.
How inDinero Became a FinTech Game-Changer for Entrepreneurs
Jessica Mah knew she wanted to start another company, and a brilliant idea came to her while she was still at UC Berkeley. Inspired by a talk from Dropbox founder Drew Houston, she applied to Y Combinator and was accepted, making her the youngest woman admitted into the program.
Alongside her cofounder and UC Berkeley classmate, Andy Su, she launched inDinero. Their mission was to simplify accounting for small businesses.
At the time, accounting was an intimidating, expensive, and often neglected part of running a business. Jess saw an opportunity to solve that pain point with smart software that replaced the current, outdated software she had encountered during her past experience running a small business.
The company raised $1.2 million for its seed round in only three months. That said, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Jess realized that software alone wasn’t enough; business owners also needed human-led services. Pivoting inDinero into a full-service accounting, tax, and payroll company was a pivotal turning point.
The gamble paid off. Over the next few years, Jess scaled inDinero to multi-million-dollar revenues and over 200 employees. By 2014, the company had raised $8 million from angel investors, and by 2023, total funding exceeded $10 million.
What stood out was its accessibility. inDinero gave small business owners tools they could actually understand, and that empowerment made Jess a standout figure in FinTech.
When the World Took Notice
As inDinero grew, so did Jessica Mah’s visibility. She was celebrated by some of the most influential outlets in business and tech, like Forbes 30 Under 30, Inc. 30 Under 30, and Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business, and was on the cover of Inc. Magazine.
For many young entrepreneurs, landing on one of these lists is a dream. For Jess, it was validation that her untraditional path (leaving high school, racing through college, and jumping into startups headfirst) was an admirable one.
What made her even more relatable was her honesty. Jess has openly admitted that she experienced imposter syndrome while learning how to be a CEO at a young age. That kind of candid reflection is what makes her an enduring role model, not just a passing headline.
What Jess Mah Learned About Resilience, Hype, and Humility
Jessica Mah’s journey has been filled with lessons, and she’s not shy about sharing them. She frequently reminds aspiring founders that startups are hard. They’re not a sprint; they’re a marathon filled with pivots, challenges, and late-night problem-solving.
Her advice is practical and grounded: read a lot of books, seek out CEOs who are further along in their journey for guidance, write down your goals and review them often, and above all, enjoy the ride — because it’s going to be a long and treacherous one.
These lessons showcase Jess’s maturity as a leader who has built companies and grown through the inevitable ups and downs.
Jess Mah’s Venture Creation Vision
While many entrepreneurs might focus on one company, Jessica Mah took a broader approach. After establishing inDinero, she turned her energy toward Mahway, a venture creation firm designed to build startups alongside founders.
Unlike traditional venture capital firms that simply invest, Mahway is a “venture creation firm” that takes an active role by supplying resources, expertise, and strategic support to help new companies thrive.
Through Mahway, Jess has shifted from solo founder to ecosystem builder. In other words, she’s someone who creates a space for other entrepreneurs to succeed. This evolution highlights her commitment to impact at scale.
Today, Jess and her team are building the companies of tomorrow.
How Jess Mah Champions Diversity and Future Leaders in Tech
Jessica Mah’s leadership extends beyond her own ventures. She became the youngest member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) in 2013, and she was the youngest graduate of Harvard Business School’s Presidents’ Program in 2024. These milestones underscore her commitment to continuous learning and leadership development.
She also dedicates time to mentoring up-and-coming entrepreneurs and encouraging girls to pursue STEM. Having attended computer camp at age 10 herself, Jess knows how powerful early immersion can be.
Today, she serves on five boards, sharing her expertise to guide the strategy of other organizations. For Jess, leadership is all about lifting others and creating opportunities for those who follow.
Sharing Insights as a Thought Leader
In addition to building companies, Jessica Mah has become a respected voice in the entrepreneurial community. She frequently speaks at conferences, panels, and events, where she shares candid stories about the highs and lows of running a business.
Audiences admire her honesty, especially when she discusses the realities of scaling, pivoting, and learning from mistakes. By demystifying entrepreneurship, Jess makes the path feel more approachable for others. Whether she’s mentoring one-on-one or addressing a global stage, her ability to inspire and empower others has become as impactful as the companies she builds.
Why Jess Mah’s Story Matters for the Next Generation of Innovators
When you step back and look at Jessica Mah’s journey, it’s nothing short of inspiring. From a middle schooler with a six-figure business to a venture builder shaping the companies of the future, her career is proof that unconventional paths can lead to extraordinary success.
Her recognition from Forbes, Inc., and Fast Company validates her as a leader, but it’s her resilience, candor, and commitment to others that truly define her. Jess’s story is marked by the possibilities that open up when ambition meets humility and when innovation extends beyond business into community and passion.
For anyone dreaming of launching something big, Jessica Mah proves that it’s not only possible — it’s worth it.
