
20-year-old dropouts built ai notetaker turbo ai Rudy Arora and Sarthak Dhawan, two 20-year-old college dropouts, have successfully developed an AI note-taker app, Turbo AI, which has amassed five million users and reportedly achieved an eight-figure annual recurring revenue (ARR).
20-year-old dropouts built ai notetaker turbo ai
Background of Turbo AI
Turbo AI emerged from the minds of Arora and Dhawan, who both left their respective college programs to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions. The duo recognized a gap in the market for efficient, user-friendly note-taking solutions powered by artificial intelligence. Their journey began in 2022, when they started brainstorming ideas that could leverage AI to enhance productivity and streamline the note-taking process for students and professionals alike.
Initially, the concept was simple: create an application that could not only take notes but also organize and summarize them intelligently. The pair believed that traditional note-taking methods were often cumbersome and time-consuming, especially in fast-paced educational and professional environments. By integrating AI, they aimed to transform how users interacted with their notes, making the process more intuitive and efficient.
Development and Launch
After several months of development, Turbo AI was officially launched in early 2023. The app quickly gained traction, thanks in part to its user-friendly interface and robust features. Users could dictate notes, which the AI would transcribe in real-time, and the app also offered functionalities such as automatic summarization and organization of notes based on topics.
Key Features of Turbo AI
- Real-time Transcription: Users can speak naturally, and the AI captures their words accurately, allowing for seamless note-taking during lectures or meetings.
- Smart Summarization: The app can condense lengthy notes into concise summaries, making it easier for users to review important information quickly.
- Topic Organization: Turbo AI automatically categorizes notes based on keywords and themes, helping users find relevant information without hassle.
- Cross-Platform Accessibility: The app is available on multiple devices, ensuring users can access their notes anytime, anywhere.
The combination of these features resonated with users, particularly students and professionals who often juggle multiple tasks and require efficient tools to manage their workload. The app’s ability to adapt to various user needs contributed significantly to its rapid growth.
User Adoption and Growth Metrics
Since its launch, Turbo AI has seen exponential growth. Within just a few months, the app reached its first million users, a milestone that surprised even its founders. By the end of 2023, the user base had expanded to five million, a testament to the app’s effectiveness and the marketing strategies employed by Arora and Dhawan.
The duo utilized a combination of social media marketing, influencer partnerships, and word-of-mouth referrals to promote Turbo AI. They engaged with potential users on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, showcasing the app’s capabilities through engaging content that highlighted its unique features. This approach not only attracted users but also fostered a community around the app, encouraging feedback and suggestions for improvements.
Financial Success
Turbo AI’s rapid user growth has translated into significant financial success. The founders claim that the app has achieved an eight-figure annual recurring revenue (ARR), a remarkable feat for a startup that is still in its early stages. The revenue model primarily relies on a freemium approach, where users can access basic features for free while premium features are available through a subscription model.
This model has proven effective, as many users opt for the premium subscription to unlock additional functionalities, such as advanced summarization tools and enhanced organizational features. The founders have also explored partnerships with educational institutions, offering tailored solutions for schools and universities, which could further boost revenue streams.
Challenges Faced
Despite their success, Arora and Dhawan have faced several challenges along the way. One of the primary hurdles was ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the AI algorithms powering Turbo AI. As with any AI-driven application, there were concerns about the quality of transcriptions and summaries, especially in diverse environments with varying accents and speech patterns.
To address these issues, the founders invested in continuous improvement of their AI models, utilizing user feedback to refine the algorithms. They also collaborated with AI experts to enhance the app’s capabilities, ensuring that it could meet the diverse needs of its user base.
Market Competition
Another significant challenge has been competition in the note-taking and productivity app market. Numerous established players, such as Evernote and Notion, have long dominated this space. However, Arora and Dhawan differentiated Turbo AI by emphasizing its AI-driven features and user-centric design. They focused on creating an app that not only serves as a note-taking tool but also enhances the overall learning and productivity experience.
Future Plans and Innovations
Looking ahead, Arora and Dhawan have ambitious plans for Turbo AI. They aim to introduce additional features that further enhance the user experience, such as integration with other productivity tools and advanced analytics that provide users with insights into their note-taking habits. The founders are also exploring opportunities to expand into international markets, recognizing the global demand for effective note-taking solutions.
Moreover, they are considering the incorporation of machine learning capabilities that could personalize the app experience for individual users. For instance, the app could learn from a user’s note-taking style and suggest improvements or highlight important information based on their preferences.
Community Engagement
Community engagement remains a priority for Arora and Dhawan. They believe that fostering a strong user community is essential for long-term success. The founders regularly host webinars and Q&A sessions to connect with users, gather feedback, and discuss future developments. This approach not only helps them stay attuned to user needs but also builds loyalty among their user base.
Conclusion
The journey of Rudy Arora and Sarthak Dhawan exemplifies the potential of young entrepreneurs in the tech industry. Their ability to identify a market need, develop a solution, and scale it rapidly is a testament to their vision and determination. With Turbo AI now boasting five million users and significant revenue, the duo is poised to make a lasting impact in the productivity app space.
As they continue to innovate and expand, the tech community will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how Turbo AI evolves and what new features will be introduced. The success of Arora and Dhawan serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, proving that with the right idea and execution, significant achievements are possible at any age.
Source: Original report
Was this helpful?
Last Modified: October 24, 2025 at 8:38 am
27 views

