Junead Khan, a 25-year-old former Microsoft engineer, made a bold decision in August 2025: he resigned from his lucrative position, which paid over ₹1.89 crore annually, to embark on the challenging journey of building an AI startup entirely on his own. His venture, named Treasury, is an AI-powered financial coaching platform, which he self-funded using his personal savings after failing to secure a spot in startup accelerators.
From High-Paying Role to Solo Entrepreneur
Khan, based in Seattle, had been with Microsoft since 2023, initially finding satisfaction in the company's global data center expansion projects. However, he gradually felt his role becoming less engaging and offering fewer opportunities to hone his artificial intelligence skills. He also noted a shift in Microsoft's priorities in early 2025, with an increased focus on security and service stability following several outages.
"It felt like shipping things got slower. That started to take some of the fun out of the job for me," Khan shared with Business Insider, highlighting the impact on his job satisfaction.
Despite earning a substantial income, including bonuses and stock, Khan had already dedicated nearly two years to developing Treasury as a side project during evenings and weekends. His personal experience managing finances across both the UK, where he grew up, and the US, where he moved in 2019, fueled his desire to create an accessible AI tool for ordinary people.
Building Treasury Alone with AI Assistance
Khan's initial strategy involved securing acceptance into a prominent startup accelerator like Y Combinator before leaving Microsoft. When those applications proved unsuccessful, he chose not to abandon his vision. Instead, he strategically utilized his savings from Microsoft, ensuring that his company stock had vested and he wouldn't need to repay any joining bonuses before his departure.
Launched in October 2025, Treasury operates with Khan as its sole employee. He attributes his ability to develop the product independently to the power of AI coding tools such as Claude Code and Codex. The platform has already begun generating revenue, exceeding $6,000 (approximately ₹5.68 lakh), and has attracted a base of paying customers.
Remarkably, Khan continues to live off his savings, opting not to draw a salary from Treasury as he focuses on its growth. He has also cultivated a significant social media presence, documenting his entrepreneurial journey and gathering around 30,000 followers.
Reflecting on his unconventional path, Khan articulated a key lesson learned:
"I've learned that sometimes the only permission you need is your own."
His story underscores a growing trend of individuals leveraging technology and personal conviction to pursue innovative ventures outside traditional corporate structures.