At just 15 years old, Kian Babaee made a decision that would change his life forever. With only £100 borrowed from his mum, he started importing iPhone cases and power banks from China to sell on eBay and Amazon. This small side hustle quickly grew into a booming business with over 30,000 positive reviews.
This moment wasn’t just about making money; it taught Kian the core fundamentals of entrepreneurship: identifying a need, building a brand, managing logistics, and creating customer trust. Even as a teenager, he understood that business is not just about having a great idea but executing it relentlessly.
Inspired by billionaires and big dreams
Kian Babaee’s love for business and tech didn’t appear out of nowhere. Growing up, he was surrounded by his father’s circle of self-made tech billionaires. One powerful piece of advice stuck with him: “If you want to become a billionaire, build something that makes money while you sleep.”
That mindset shaped his vision early on. He realized that to truly create impact (and wealth), he needed to build a scalable product that worked around the clock without his constant presence. This seed of inspiration would later lead him to create his most innovative venture yet: Refer.
Building empires from the ground up
After his early success in e-commerce, Kian Babaee ventured into super prime residential development, working on projects valued at over £75 million. He also played a key role in scaling AU Vodka’s presence across London’s most exclusive venues, a feat that usually takes a decade to achieve.
These experiences weren’t just business wins; they taught him how to build and scale companies in different industries. Kian believes that once you master the art of business fundamentals, you can apply them anywhere. This philosophy has given him the courage and skills to move confidently across sectors.
The sushi dinner that sparked a game changing idea
Three years ago, while having sushi with friends, Kian Babaee had his big “aha” moment. As the food arrived, everyone immediately pulled out their phones to take photos and share them online.
That’s when he realized: people promote businesses for free every day. What if there was a way to turn this everyday behavior into income? That dinner inspired Refer, a tech platform that allows people to earn real cash simply by sharing their experiences at venues on social media.
It’s like Deliveroo, but instead of delivering food, it delivers customers back to local businesses. With no upfront fees, businesses only pay for actual results, making it a win win for everyone.
Refer: turning everyday people into influencers
Today, Refer is a fast-growing app operating in London and Manchester, with an initial valuation of £25 million. The company is currently raising £5 million to accelerate its UK rollout, with planned expansion into Europe, Dubai, and other key international markets. Refer empowers everyday people to become micro-influencers, driving real footfall and sales for local businesses — while earning money themselves. With a Dubai launch on the horizon and a global rollout in motion, Refer is on track to scale worldwide.
The importance of resilience and strong foundations
Kian Babaee’s journey hasn’t been without setbacks. In his first business, he scaled too fast without building solid operational systems. While revenue looked great, the foundation wasn’t strong, leading to delays and customer service challenges.
This taught him a powerful lesson: momentum is only useful if the structure behind it is strong enough to handle it. Today, Kian is obsessed with building lean, scalable, and adaptable systems before stepping on the gas.
For him, execution is everything. Big ideas matter, but it’s the daily work, discipline, and systems that turn them into successful businesses.
Learning from the greats: Bezos and Musk
Kian Babaee credits Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk as two of his biggest inspirations. Bezos’s focus on long-term thinking and customer obsession taught him to look far beyond short-term wins. Musk’s fearless approach and first principles thinking inspired him to aim high and challenge the impossible.
Their lessons have helped Kian push boundaries, question assumptions, and stay resilient even during the toughest phases of entrepreneurship.
Staying motivated through tough times
When facing setbacks, Kian stays motivated by focusing on the bigger picture. He knows exactly why he’s building what he’s building, and that clarity keeps him going.
He surrounds himself with driven, high-energy people who keep him inspired. And he embraces discomfort, knowing that real growth happens outside his comfort zone.
For him, each challenge isn’t a stop sign; it’s a checkpoint on the journey to something bigger.
A new definition of success
Over time, Kian’s view of success has shifted. It’s no longer just about financial milestones or headlines. Success now means creating something meaningful and impactful that empowers people, supports businesses, and creates long-lasting value.
He wants to build businesses that people love and remember, that change lives, and that outlast any market trends. It’s about the freedom to build with purpose and the joy of empowering others along the way.
Advice to his younger self
If he could talk to his 15-year-old self, Kian would say: don’t just chase opportunities blindly; question them deeply.
He learned this lesson from his father, a self-made property tycoon who taught him the “if factor”: always ask, “What if it doesn’t work?” This approach isn’t about being pessimistic; it’s about being prepared, strategic, and thoughtful.
This habit has saved him from countless mistakes and shaped how he approaches every new venture.
A legacy of impact and innovation
At only 26, Kian is already thinking about his legacy. He wants to be remembered as someone who pushed boundaries, stayed true to his vision, and empowered people to bet on themselves.
Through Refer, he’s not just building a company; he’s creating a new movement around word of mouth marketing that rewards people and revitalizes local economies.
Ultimately, Kian hopes future generations will see his story and feel inspired to take risks, think big, and build with purpose.
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