The world of work is changing incredibly fast, and the idea of a ‘job for life’ seems like a distant memory for many. So how can we help our children be prepared for the workplace of the future?
With its focus on independent thinking, self-awareness, and self-motivation, home education is the perfect learning environment to create free-thinking, expressive, and bold individuals. Little wonder then that so many home educated children go on to run their own businesses, creating products and services that shape the world we live in today.
For example, here are five home-educated children who created businesses and ideas that have drastically changed our world.
Bill Gates – Co-founder of Microsoft
Gates was home educated until around 8th grade, when his parents hired a private tutor before he entered Lakeside School. That customised education enabled him to focus intensively on his passion: computer programming. By middle school, he was already writing software with his friend Paul Allen, setting the stage for Microsoft’s creation.
Steve Jobs – Co-founder of Apple
Steve Jobs was home educated until 9th grade, which gave him the freedom to explore his interests deeply. During that time, he attended a summer program at Hewlett-Packard Institute—an environment that helped spark his lifelong passion for technology and innovation.
Sergey Brin – Co-founder of Google
After emigrating to the U.S., Sergey Brin was home education in Maryland along with his siblings. The family’s focus on science, math, and computer science nurtured his early development. Later, Brin attended Stanford, where he and Larry Page conceptualized Google.
Richard Branson – Founder of the Virgin Group
Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, is known for his adventurous spirit and bold approach to business. Diagnosed with dyslexia at an early age, he struggled in traditional schooling and was eventually home-schooled. This unconventional education gave him the freedom to explore his creativity, focus on practical problem-solving, and pursue his passions without being confined by rigid academic structures. Home-schooling encouraged his independent thinking and resilience, traits that became central to his success as an entrepreneur who consistently challenged industry norms.
Jan Koum – Co-founder of WhatsApp
Koum’s teenage education was largely self-directed; he disliked school and barely graduated, instead teaching himself computers and networking by borrowing books from used bookstores. That self-reliance paid off—he co-founded WhatsApp, later sold to Facebook for billions.
Why Home Education (or Self-Education) Mattered
Focused exploration: These entrepreneurs were able to dive into their passions early—coding, tech, and innovation—without being limited by a standardised, ‘one size fits all’ curriculum.
Flexibility & autonomy: They directed their own learning paths, whether through tutors or self-study
Supportive environments: Many had parents or resources that nurtured their talents, whether through home education or the freedom to self-learn.
Conclusion
These stories shine a light on how non-traditional education paths—especially when tailored to individual interests—can foster creativity, innovation, and resilience. Whether through home education or independent learning, these entrepreneurs leveraged unconventional learning as a launchpad for world-changing success.
