Introduction
William LeGate (born September 3, 1994) is an American entrepreneur, Thiel Fellow, computer programmer and activist. A self-taught programmer from the age of 12, LeGate was brought to the public's attention three years later when The New York Times recommended one of the iOS applications he had programmed during middle school.
Upon graduating high school, billionaire PayPal co-founder and investor Peter Thiel awarded LeGate—then aged 18—with a Thiel Fellowship, a US$100,000 grant given annually to around 20 people under 20 years of age on the condition that they drop out of school in order to pursue an entrepreneurial path. The apps that he made have been downloaded over 7 million times.
Early life
LeGate was born on September 3, 1994, in Atlanta, Georgia, son of real estate entrepreneur father and stay-at-home mother. He was raised in the suburbs of Atlanta and is a graduate of The Walker School in Marietta, Georgia.
Career
Thiel Fellowship
Having taught himself computer programming from online Stanford courses starting at the age of 13, LeGate stated in a 2011 interview that he has always had a passion for entrepreneurship. Throughout high school, he created over a dozen iPhone applications which were being used by 1 in 12 American teenagers upon his graduation.
His early success caught the attention of billionaire PayPal co-founder and investor Peter Thiel who awarded LeGate—then aged 18—with a Thiel Fellowship, a $100,000 (USD) grant given annually to around 20 people under 20 years of age on the condition that they drop out of school in order to pursue an entrepreneurial path.
Ponder
Toward the end of his Thiel Fellowship, LeGate began creating the Ponder mobile application of which he was listed as co-founder and CEO. The New York Post dubbed Ponder as the 'anti-Kardashian' photo sharing app with Teen Vogue adding that Ponder is "drama-free. No trolls, bullying, or negativity. Just cool photos & videos."
Tinder co-founders Sean Rad and Justin Mateen both invested in the app, and Justin's brother Tyler Mateen was a co-founder of Ponder.
Awards and recognition
- In 2014, Business Insider named LeGate, alongside Marques Brownlee, as the most powerful 20-year-old in tech.
- In 2013, LeGate was listed as one of The 25 Most Impressive Kids Graduating From High School This Year, and soon after as one of The 8 Hottest Teenage Startup Founders In The World Right Now.
- Billionaire PayPal founder and early Facebook investor Peter Thiel granted LeGate a Thiel Fellowship in 2013.
- The Atlanta Business Chronicle listed LeGate as one of their '20 Under 20' youth leaders.
- The New York Times recommended one of LeGate's apps when he was a freshman in high school.