VR, Inclusion, and the Startup Journey: A 17-Year-Old Founder’s Perspective
Tech Talks5 Maalis 2025

VR, Inclusion, and the Startup Journey: A 17-Year-Old Founder’s Perspective

In this episode of Tech Talks, Youssef Kusibati, a 17-year-old entrepreneur and co-founder of 21Verse, shares how he’s building a VR platform to support education and therapy for individuals with Down syndrome. Inspired by his younger brother, Youssef explains how technology can bridge accessibility gaps and how his startup journey has been shaped by perseverance, mentorship, and a willingness to learn.


Despite challenges as a young, non-Saudi founder in Saudi Arabia, Youssef has navigated the ecosystem, built partnerships with government agencies and Down syndrome centers, and spoken on stage at LEAP. He offers valuable advice to aspiring young leaders on how to stand out, find mentors, and gain credibility in the startup world.


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The music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: ⁠⁠www.lemzi.com⁠

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