Her story, as often shared on platforms like Instagram or through Forbes profiles, uses these "then and now" images to highlight how the discipline of elite ballet can be translated into Silicon Valley success.
: She moved to the United States and earned degrees in computer science and mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) .
Luana's "11 years old" to teenage years were defined by her time at the prestigious Bolshoi Theater School in Brazil. Her story, as often shared on platforms like
The "full" picture of Luana today is that of a 29-year-old billionaire co-founder of Kalshi, a prediction market platform.
After graduating in 2013 and spending a short period as a professional ballerina in Austria, Luana decided to pivot toward her goal of becoming the "next Steve Jobs". The "full" picture of Luana today is that
: Despite the physical demands of ballet, she excelled in math and science, winning medals in the Brazilian Astronomy Olympiad and other regional mathematics competitions. The Pivot: From Ballerina to MIT Scholar
: During her college years, she interned at powerhouse financial firms including Bridgewater Associates , Citadel Securities, and Five Rings Capital. The Full Evolution: Founding Kalshi The Pivot: From Ballerina to MIT Scholar :
: She maintained a grueling schedule, attending academic classes from 7 a.m. to noon and ballet training from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m..
: In late 2025, Kalshi reached an $11 billion valuation following a $1 billion funding round.