How I Went From BCG Consultant to AI Startup Founder by Age 25

Oscar Brisset was 25 years old when he made a leap that most people only dream about: he left a prestigious consulting career at Boston Consulting Group to launch his own AI robotics startup, backed by Y Combinator, one of Silicon Valley's most storied accelerators.

Brisset's journey from BCG consultant to YC-backed founder is a case study in deliberate risk-taking. Rather than staying on the comfortable corporate track, he used most of his vacation days to learn to code — a decision that required sacrifice and focus but ultimately opened doors that a traditional consulting path never could.

The transition wasn't instantaneous. Brisset spent months building his technical skills alongside his consulting work, gradually shifting from spreadsheets and slide decks to code repositories and product development. When the opportunity to apply to Y Combinator arose, he was ready — not because he had a perfect plan, but because he'd invested in the skills and mindset needed to seize unexpected opportunities.

His company, which operates in the AI robotics space, represents one of the most competitive and rapidly evolving sectors in technology. Y Combinator's acceptance is a signal that the startup has passed one of the tech industry's most selective filters, gaining access to funding, mentorship, and a network that has produced companies like Airbnb, Stripe, and DoorDash.

Brisset's story challenges the conventional wisdom that a prestigious corporate career is the safest path to success. Sometimes the bigger risk is staying comfortable.

What This Means For You: You don't need permission to start building the skills for your next chapter. Brisset used his vacation days to learn to code — no dramatic quit, no lottery ticket, just consistent investment in himself. If you're sitting in a job that feels secure but unfulfilling, the lesson is clear: start building what you want on the side, and the transition will reveal itself.