About Leaders of Today
Where big dreams meet real opportunities
Our Story
From a simple Google Sheet to a global movement
Leaders of Today started as a simple Google Sheet. Back in 2019, our founder Ziyaan Virji was just trying to keep track of scholarships, fellowships, and grants that young people like him could apply for.
That one sheet was shared everywhere and ended up being opened over 3 million times. What began as one document quickly grew into something much bigger.
First came the weekly newsletter, now read by 50,000+ young leaders around the world. Then came this platform, designed to help young people discover opportunities without the clutter, ads, or barriers of existing sites.
The Challenge
The problem we saw
For too long, opportunities have been hard to find. Buried across random websites. Hidden behind outdated, ad-filled platforms. Or presented in ways that made it overwhelming to even know where to start.
The result? Too many young people missing deadlines. Too many giving up after rejections. Too many never even finding the opportunities that could change their path.
Our Solution
Our approach
We believe finding opportunities should feel clear, accessible, and even exciting. That’s why Leaders of Today will always be free for young people. Instead of charging youth, we partner with organizations that want to reach the next generation of changemakers.
This way, we can keep improving the platform experience. And make sure access isn’t determined by who can pay. Our goal is simple: remove barriers, simplify the process, and make sure every young person has a real chance to apply, be seen, and succeed.
Trusted Partners
With support from
This initiative has been funded by Aga Khan Foundation Canada in part with the Government of Canada.
The Future
Looking ahead
We’re also thinking about the future. With AI, we’re reimagining how young people discover and apply for opportunities. From personalized recommendations to deadline reminders to draft reviews that help you feel confident before you hit submit.
The next generation of this platform will be smarter, more personal, and built around your needs. Because finding the right opportunity shouldn’t feel like digging through chaos. It should feel like the start of something big.