Amin Shaykho built a startup and landed a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list before many entrepreneurs have found their first idea. When Amin Shaykho joined Sean Kelly on the Digital Social Hour, the two talked candidly about what it actually takes to grow a company while still figuring out who you are.
The conversation moves through the tension between friendship and business, the setbacks Shaykho doesn't usually put in a highlight reel, and how he pulled together $1.7 million in funding as a young founder.
About Amin Shaykho
Amin Shaykho is a Syrian-American entrepreneur and co-founder and CEO of Kadama, a platform built to connect students with tutors. His path from newcomer to a founder recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 has made him a voice for young entrepreneurs building serious companies early in their careers.
Shaykho has raised significant outside funding to grow Kadama, by his own account securing $1.7 million to scale the business, and he has spoken openly about balancing close friendships with the demands of running a company.
What Amin Shaykho and Sean Kelly Talked About
- How Amin Shaykho balances close friendships with the pressure of running a company
- What it took to earn a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list
- The story behind raising $1.7 million for his company as a young founder
- His account of the biggest failures he's faced while building his business
- How his background as a Syrian-American entrepreneur shaped his drive to build Kadama
- What Shaykho has learned about mixing personal relationships with business decisions
- Why he sees early setbacks as part of the price of building something real
Why This Conversation Matters
For young founders navigating funding, friendship, and failure at the same time, Amin Shaykho's story is a grounded look at what building a real company actually costs. It's a useful watch for anyone chasing recognition like Forbes 30 Under 30 without losing sight of the relationships that matter.
▶ Watch the full episode on YouTube
Related Digital Social Hour Episodes
About Sean Kelly & the Digital Social Hour
Sean Kelly is an entrepreneur and the host of the Digital Social Hour, one of the fastest-growing interview podcasts in the world, where he sits down with entrepreneurs, athletes, creators, and cultural voices for candid, long-form conversations. The show draws over 100 million views a month across platforms. Explore more guest features on SeanKelly.io.
About The Author
