Aaru, an American AI startup founded by three teenagers, has reached a $1 billion valuation. The company was started two years ago by Cameron Fink and Ned Ko, aged 18 and 19, alongside 15-year-old chief technology officer John Kessler. The startup uses thousands of AI agents to simulate consumer behaviour, helping businesses test products and marketing strategies more quickly. Aaru now works with major brands including McDonald's, Boston Beer, A24 film studio and EY. Bayer uses the technology to test advertising concepts. The platform creates digital consumer profiles based on demographic and behavioural data. In one case, Aaru helped beverage brand Spindrift identify fruit tea as a promising direction within one week, whilst traditional research with real respondents took two months to reach the same conclusion. Investor interest is growing as companies seek faster decision-making and reduced research costs.