At just 29, Brazilian entrepreneur Luana Lopes Lara has reached a rare milestone in global business: she has officially become the youngest self-made billionaire in the world, after the startup she co-founded — Kalshi — achieved a valuation of US$11 billion.
Kalshi is a prediction-markets platform that allows users to legally bet — via contracts — on the outcome of future events such as elections, economic decisions, weather patterns and other developments. The company was regulated by the US agency CFTC as a designated contract market, granting it pioneering status in a new financial model within the United States.
Luana’s trajectory to this level feels almost cinematic. Born in Belo Horizonte, with formative years in Joinville and other Brazilian cities, she trained in ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre School — an experience that, according to her, shaped her discipline and determination. She later moved to the United States, where she graduated in Computer Science and Mathematics from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
In 2018, Luana and her co-founder Tarek Mansour created Kalshi. Their proposal: to transform uncertainty — about politics, economics, climate and more — into tradable assets by building a regulated prediction market beyond traditional betting systems. The idea was mature, radical and risky — but it resonated strongly, particularly among investors seeking diversification and innovation.
In recent months, Kalshi has reached several milestones: a sharp increase in trading volume — hitting US$5.8 billion in November 2025 alone — substantial capital injections from high-profile investors, and broad market recognition. With around 12% ownership each, Luana and Tarek have seen their stakes translate into estimated fortunes of roughly US$1.3 billion apiece.
International coverage was immediate: Luana surpassed names such as Lucy Guo and even globally famous entertainers, rising to the top of the world’s youngest self-made billionaire rankings — earning headlines in outlets such as Forbes, The Economic Times, Fortune, and major Latin American media.
More than a personal achievement, her story reignites key discussions around innovation, market democratisation, fintechs and the shifting profile of the global entrepreneur. Kalshi is not just a tech company: it is an experiment challenging how we define risk, investment, markets and the very economy of the future.
Luana Lopes Lara’s rise reminds us that turning vision into value often begins with courage, creativity, and the willingness to reinvent what once seemed unshakeable.
For many, her journey is proof that talent and ambition — when combined with opportunity and boldness — can rewrite destinies.
