Forbes unveiled its 15th annual 30 Under 30 list for 2026, highlighting 600 young leaders across 20 industries, with a record 70% being Gen Z. Notable honorees include tennis star Coco Gauff, NFL players Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, singer Alex Warren, actress Mikey Madison, rapper Doechii, and AI entrepreneur Jesse Zhang. The list emphasizes the rising influence of Gen Z in business, culture, and technology, with honorees raising billions in funding and amassing large social followings.
The Forbes 30 Under 30 Healthcare 2025 list highlights young entrepreneurs and researchers tackling major healthcare challenges through AI and innovative solutions. Notable figures include Anirudh Joshi of Valar Labs, which uses AI to analyze cancer tumors, and Rob Baldoni of Dannce.ai, applying deep learning to neurological conditions. The list features innovators in both software and hardware, such as FluxWear's neuromodulation device and MEDU Protection's reusable hospital gowns, showcasing advancements in drug development, medical devices, and care accessibility.
Forbes' 30 Under 30 Social Media 2025 list highlights young innovators transforming the digital landscape through content creation, advocacy, and research. Notable figures include Drew Afualo, a TikToker advocating for women's empowerment, and Carlos Espina, who supports immigrants through his nonprofit. The list also features creators like Joel Bervell, who educates on racial disparities in medicine, and Kahlil Greene, who shares overlooked histories. These changemakers are influencing laws, promoting inclusivity, and developing tools to improve our relationship with social media.
The Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2024 features young entrepreneurs who are using artificial intelligence in various industries, such as manufacturing and marketing. Additionally, they are tackling climate change through initiatives like carbon credit marketplaces and eco-friendly plastics. The list includes individuals from diverse backgrounds, with nearly half identifying as people of color and 23% being immigrants. The average age of the list remains at 27, and gender parity has reached an all-time high. The entrepreneurs on the list have raised over $3.6 billion in funding, and the largest contingent of Gen Z individuals to date is included.
Kirsty Smitten, a top British scientist who was included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, was diagnosed with a rare heart cancer after doctors initially believed that she had just pulled a muscle. She was told that there was a 68% chance that she would die within the next year. Despite the devastating detection, she is still continuing to work on her business, MetalloBio, which is working to develop a new class of antibiotics.
