Pieter
Levels

Born in 1986 in the Netherlands (exact date varies in sources but consistently places him at approximately 38-39 years old in 2024-2025); raised in a typical Dutch family environment that encouraged independence and creativity, setting the foundation for his future self-taught path in technology and entrepreneurship.

Early childhood in the Netherlands; family life emphasized education and exploration in a stable European setting; began developing curiosity about the world through books, computers, and early exposure to technology amid the rise of personal computing.

Continued family upbringing; showed early signs of independence and interest in creative pursuits; environment fostered analytical thinking in a post-1980s Dutch society increasingly connected through emerging internet culture.

Ongoing early development; exposure to multimedia and computers sparked initial fascination; parents supported hands-on learning in a progressive Dutch educational context.

Family life centered on enrichment; began experimenting with basic creative tools available at home or school.

Attended primary school in the Netherlands; excelled in subjects involving logic and creativity; early access to computers deepened interest in programming and digital media.

Continued elementary education; self-taught exploration of computers and early internet; built foundational skills in problem-solving.

Ongoing schooling; intensified personal projects involving technology; developed passion for music and multimedia.

Deepened self-directed learning in computing; experimented with basic web design and programming in the mid-1990s internet boom era.

Continued education; explored music production and digital tools; family and school environment supported creative hobbies.

Middle school years; avid interest in web development and early online communities; self-taught coding skills grew rapidly.

Ongoing studies; built first simple websites; influenced by the dot-com era's rising tech culture in Europe.

Intensified programming and music interests; created personal projects blending technology and creativity.

High school transition; focused on multimedia and computer science paths; self-taught developer identity solidified.

Continued high school; experimented with web apps and early startups ideas amid growing European tech scene.

Deepened technical skills; explored entrepreneurship through small online ventures.

Ongoing education; balanced studies with independent coding and music production projects.

Senior high school years; prepared for university with focus on business and technology.

Enrolled in higher education in the Netherlands, studying areas related to computer science, multimedia, or business at institutions like Hogeschool van Amsterdam; immersed in practical tech skills.

Continued university studies; self-taught advanced programming; explored music production professionally.

Ongoing academic and personal development; built side projects in web and multimedia.

Deepened entrepreneurial interests; worked on freelance or early commercial tech/music projects.

University years; honed skills in development and business; prepared for professional career.

Continued studies or early career; focused on practical applications of tech and creativity.

Ongoing professional growth; explored corporate or freelance opportunities in Netherlands tech scene.

Graduated or transitioned to full-time work around 2011-2012; held jobs in tech or media while building side projects.

Worked in traditional roles but felt unfulfilled; began planning major life change amid post-graduation reflections.

Experienced turning point in 2013; quit job, sold possessions, and became digital nomad; documented 'reset your life' journey on personal blog, traveling to Asia and embracing remote lifestyle.

Full-time digital nomad in 2014; launched Nomad List while in Chiang Mai, Thailand—a community site for remote workers that quickly gained traction and became profitable.

Continued nomad travel and building in 2015; launched Remote OK, a leading remote job board; executed '12 startups in 12 months' challenge, shipping multiple projects rapidly.

Ongoing solo entrepreneurship in 2016; expanded Nomad List and Remote OK; traveled extensively while bootstrapping businesses to significant revenue.

Deepened indie maker lifestyle in 2017; public transparency on revenue (reaching seven figures annually); inspired global remote work community.

Continued launching projects in 2018; focused on sustainability and efficiency as solo founder; nomadic travel across Asia and Europe.

Ongoing building and travel in 2019; experimented with new tools and ideas; maintained low-overhead one-person operations.

Navigated pandemic in 2020; adapted projects to remote trends; continued shipping and traveling when possible.

Expanded into AI tools in 2021; early experiments with generative tech; revenue from core sites grew steadily.

Rapid AI adoption in 2022; launched Interior AI for room redesigns; public make posts and transparency continued.

Major AI launches in 2023; Photo AI and other generative tools gained viral traction; interviewed on podcasts like Lex Fridman.

Continued AI innovation in 2024; multiple viral products; revenue reports around $3M/year; extensive travel including Asia.

Ongoing solo empire in 2025; updates to AI tools like Interior AI and Photo AI; traveled extensively in Asia (Japan, China); public discussions on indie hacking, AI, and European tech policy; total revenue from portfolio exceeding $3M annually while maintaining one-person operations and digital nomad lifestyle.