Surya Midha (Mercor)
Overview
Surya Midha is a prominent figure in the tech industry, known primarily for his role as a co-founder of Mercor, an AI-driven recruitment platform. Born and raised in California, Midha made headlines as one of the youngest self-made billionaires in the world, alongside his co-founders Brendan Foody and Adarsh Hiremath. The trio established Mercor with the mission to revolutionize the recruitment industry using artificial intelligence technologies. The company has achieved remarkable success, with a valuation that recently surged to $10 billion. Surya's transition from a college student to a tech entrepreneur highlights the rapidly evolving landscape of AI technology and its profound impact on the global labor market.
Recent Developments
In recent years, Surya Midha and his company, Mercor, have been at the center of several significant developments:
- October 2025: Midha announced his transition to the role of chairman of the board at Mercor, stepping away from his daily operations as COO.
- February 2025: Mercor closed a Series B funding round, raising $100 million at a valuation of $2 billion, attracting investments from Felicis Ventures, General Catalyst, Benchmark, and Menlo Ventures.
- November 2024: Mercor announced onboarding significant technological advancements in their AI recruitment algorithms, enhancing the efficiency and scalability of their platform.
- March 2024: Surya Midha became a Thiel Fellow, a program supporting young entrepreneurs who drop out of college to pursue their ventures full-time.
- September 2024: The company announced a $30 million Series A funding round at a $250 million valuation, led by Benchmark, with notable investors such as Peter Thiel and Jack Dorsey.
- March 2023: Mercor's AI-driven platform gained major traction with the software being updated to facilitate global recruitment, enhancing the supply engine that matches talent with opportunities worldwide.
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Surya Midha |
| Born | San Jose, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Chairman of the Board, Co-founder of Mercor |
| Known For | Co-founding Mercor, Youngest Self-Made Billionaire |
| Net Worth | Billionaire (Exact figure not publicly disclosed) |
| Education | Attended Georgetown University (Did not graduate) |
Early Life and Education
Surya Midha was born to immigrant parents from New Delhi, India, and was raised in the bustling tech hub of San Jose, California. He attended Bellarmine College Preparatory, where he excelled not only academically but in extracurricular pursuits as well, particularly in policy debate. Midha, along with his debate partner, made history by winning all three major national tournaments: the Tournament of Champions, the National Debate Coaches Association Tournament, and the National Speech and Debate Association Tournament. His passion for debate and critical thinking became a significant influence on his career path.
Midha’s educational journey led him to Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. However, his interest in technology and business soon took precedence over formal education, leading him to take academic leave. His early professional experiences included being an Assistant Debate Coach at his high school, as well as internships at prestigious institutions such as the Brookings Institution and Georgetown’s Security Studies Program. Ultimately, his entrepreneurial spirit and vision for innovation led him to establish Mercor.
Career and Notable Achievements
Surya Midha's professional journey is a testament to his vision and enterprise:
- 2023: Co-founded Mercor alongside Brendan Foody and Adarsh Hiremath while still attending college. Mercor was initially started as a labor aggregator for engineers in India.
- 2024: Secured a $3.6 million seed round to further develop Mercor, which later expanded its operations globally with innovative AI recruiting technologies.
- 2025: Played a crucial role in raising a $100 million Series B funding, catapulting the company’s valuation to $2 billion, and then to $10 billion by the end of the year.
- 2025: Became one of the youngest self-made billionaires along with his co-founders, featured prominently in tech media outlets.
Current Work and Impact
As of late 2025, Surya Midha serves as the chairman of the board at Mercor, having transitioned from his role as COO. Under his leadership, Mercor has not only expanded its global footprint but also significantly impacted the recruitment industry by employing AI to streamline and enhance the hiring process. Midha’s work at Mercor aims to create a more transparent and efficient job market, removing geographical and capability barriers. This initiative is critical in shaping the future of work, setting new standards for recruiting talent globally.
Conclusion
Surya Midha stands as a remarkable symbol of youthful innovation and entrepreneurial success. His work at Mercor demonstrates how AI technologies can revolutionize traditional industries, paving the way for a more connected and efficient global job market. As his career progresses, Midha’s influence in the tech industry is expected to grow, with potential future endeavors likely to further impact the AI and recruitment landscapes. His story is an inspiring narrative of how youthful ambition, coupled with strategic innovation, can achieve groundbreaking success and global recognition.