How Whoop CEO Will Ahmed Turned Rejection Into Success
By Cesareo Contreras
October 30, 2026
As a 22-year-old CEO just launching his technology company, Whoop, Will Ahmed faced so much rejection that his dream of making wearable tech to improve people’s health seemed insurmountable. Ahmed’s goal was to combine wearable technology with high quality health data to bolster fitness and overall wellness, initially targeting professional athletes.
But when he reached out to potential team members and investors in the early 2010s, he was met with a wall of disinterest.
"I would go meet with people and they would tell me it wasn’t a good idea or that they didn’t want to work with me,” Ahmed recalled during a fireside chat at Northeastern University.
Demoralizing, yes, but Ahmed’s unwavering passion for health technology fueled his resilience. He knew the wearable market held immense potential for athletes looking to improve their performance. He pushed through the constant rejections and negative feedback, eventually finding his tribe.
Today, more than 2.5 million customers wear Whoop bracelets on their wrists, tracking their sleep, stress levels, heart rate, and more. Ahmed was also recently named to Time magazine’s list of 100 Most Influential People In Sports.
He attributes his grit and determination in the early days directly to Whoop's success.
Ahmed shared his story and leadership philosophy at Northeastern as part of the President's Leadership Series.