A 19-year-old entrepreneur has secured $11 million in seed funding for Ghost, a company dedicated to developing a unique personal AI computer. This funding round, led by Andreessen Horowitz, also attracted investment from Abstract, Audacious Ventures, SV Angel, and Nova. After a year of development, Ghost recently emerged from stealth mode, unveiling its first product, Core.
Core, priced at $3,499, is not just another computer; it’s specifically designed to run AI agents that perform tasks for users. Founder and CEO Zain Javaid describes it as a “brain in a box” that operates without a screen and can be accessed via a phone app. Javaid, along with founding team members Nicholas Chua, 19, Yifei Chen, 24, and Gautam Sharda, 23, aims to centralize all elements of a user’s digital life–from desktop files to smart home devices–into one cohesive unit.
Equipped with an Nvidia RTX Pro 4000 SFF Blackwell GPU, Core is built to handle demanding AI tasks. This GPU is included in the purchase price, so customers won’t need to buy separate components. The device also features its own software layer, a browser, and a filing system, allowing it to continuously process information without requiring constant user interaction. Preorders for Core have recently begun, with shipping scheduled for the last week of October.
Core comes with three models preinstalled: Qwen-3.8-Next, Qwen-3.8-27B, and Gemma-4-31B. Users can also install additional models from Hugging Face or load their own trained models. According to Javaid, this dedicated hardware and software approach distinguishes Core from general-purpose computers like the Mac Mini. While the Mac Mini can be set up for AI tasks, Core is specifically designed for running AI agents with preinstalled models.
Javaid highlights the importance of user control, stating that individuals can dictate how autonomous their Core agents are. The device is programmed to keep functioning even if Ghost shuts down. He emphasizes that all source code and model weights live on the device, ensuring that users maintain ownership and privacy over their data. “Once you buy the hardware, everything is stored, run, and processed on the device,” he explains.
To bolster security, the team is developing a firewall that monitors outgoing network requests from the computer. If it detects any unauthorized actions, the request is rejected and flagged for user review. This level of security allows users to feel confident about the integrity of their data and the actions taken by their AI agents.
When discussing competition, Javaid expressed confidence in Ghost’s unique approach. He acknowledges that established tech giants have the resources to create similar products, but he believes Ghost’s emphasis on specialized software and user experience will drive their success. He points out that Core will proactively notify users about health concerns by analyzing their data, such as resting heart rate and activity patterns.
The ultimate goal for Ghost is to create a product that resonates with users. Javaid remarked, “If we can’t do that, Apple isn’t the reason we failed.” With a dedicated AI computer on the horizon, Ghost aims to integrate personal AI into everyday life.
