Forbes 30 Under 30
Forbes 30 Under 30 is an annual set of lists published by Forbes magazine since 2011, recognizing individuals under 30 years old who have made significant contributions in various industries. The initiative highlights young entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators across 20 categories, with 600 individuals selected for the North American list, 300 each for Asia and Europe, and 30 for Africa.[1] Categories include Art & Style, Hollywood & Entertainment, Retail & E-Commerce, Healthcare, Consumer Technology, Sports, Marketing and Advertising, Energy, Science, Media, Music, Social Media, Manufacturing & Industry, Social Impact, Finance, Venture Capital, Food & Drink, Education, Enterprise Technology, and Games.[1]
| Forbes 30 Under 30 | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Recognizing young entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators |
| Sponsored by | Forbes |
| Date | 2011 |
| Location | Global |
| Country | United States, Asia, Europe, Africa |
| Presented by | Forbes |
| Website | www |
History
Launched in 2011 under the direction of Forbes editor-in-chief Randall Lane, the 30 Under 30 list aimed to spotlight young talent driving innovation and impact.[2] By 2016, the program expanded to include regional lists for Asia, Europe, and Africa, reflecting its global reach.[3] In 2022, Forbes reported over 100,000 nominations globally, with an acceptance rate below 4%.[4] To mark the 10th anniversary in 2021, Forbes introduced the 30 Under 30 Hall of Fame, honoring influential alumni such as Malala Yousafzai, Mark Zuckerberg, LeBron James, Miley Cyrus, Kylie Jenner, and Daniel Ek.[2]
Nomination Process
The nomination process is open to the public, allowing self-nominations or nominations of others, provided the nominee is under 30 years old by the specified cut-off date (e.g., February 28, 2025, for Forbes India’s 2025 list).[3] Nominations are submitted through an online portal, often powered by platforms like Typeform, which collects detailed information on education, work history, industry impact, and media coverage.[1] Forbes encourages nominations to be shared via social media, email lists, and the 30 Under 30 webpage to maximize reach.[1]
The selection process involves three stages:
- Nomination Collection: Forbes gathers thousands of nominations, with over 20,000 annually across its U.S., Asia, and Europe lists.[5]
- Shortlisting: Forbes reporters and editors evaluate candidates based on innovation, impact, leadership potential, and measurable achievements, such as revenue growth, funds raised, or social impact.[6]
- Final Selection: Independent industry experts, such as Mark Benioff, Aileen Lee, or David Chang, review shortlisted candidates to select the final 30 per category.[4]
Selection Criteria
Forbes evaluates nominees based on:
- Innovation: Pioneering new ideas, products, or services in their industry.[6]
- Impact: Demonstrable influence on their market, industry, or society, often supported by revenue, user acquisition, or social impact metrics.[6]
- Leadership Potential: Evidence of leading teams, startups, or initiatives with future growth potential.[5]
- Media Recognition: Prior coverage in reputable media outlets strengthens nominations.[7]
- Social Media Presence: A strong online footprint can enhance visibility, though it is not a guarantee of selection.[8]
Self-nominations are encouraged, but recommendations from previous honorees or industry leaders carry significant weight.[8] Professional PR firms often assist candidates in crafting compelling applications.[6]
Notable Winners
The Forbes 30 Under 30 lists have recognized numerous influential figures, including:
- North America:
- Malala Yousafzai (Social Impact, 2013) – Nobel Peace Prize winner and education activist.
- Mark Zuckerberg (Technology, 2011) – Co-founder of Facebook.
- Kylie Jenner (Media, 2015) – Media personality and cosmetics entrepreneur.
- David Zamarin (Consumer Technology, 2017) – Founder of DetraPel, an eco-friendly waterproofing spray.[9]
- Clara Sieg (Finance, 2016) – Managed $650 million for startups at Revolution’s investment fund.[1]
- Asia:
- Amy Lin (Education, 2016) – Oversees a learning platform for 7 million teachers at TES Global.[1]
- Europe:
- Africa:
- Botswana hosted the first African 30 Under 30 summit in April 2022.[3]
- India:
Events and Community
Forbes hosts annual summits, such as the 2023 event in Cleveland, Ohio, featuring speakers like Kendall Jenner (Art & Style, 2024) and Bad Bunny (Music, 2019).[2] The 30 Under 30 community, often called the “Forbes Fam,” fosters networking through WhatsApp groups, meetups, and a dedicated mobile app.[11]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "How Forbes finds the best talent for their 30 Under 30 list". Typeform Blog. 2024-12-13. Retrieved 2025-08-05.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Forbes 30 Under 30 List 2025 - Young Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders". Forbes. 2024-12-08. Retrieved 2025-08-05.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "Forbes India 30 Under 30 Class Of 2025: An Ode To Talent". Forbes India. 2025-02-06. Retrieved 2025-08-05.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Application open for Forbes 30 Under 30". OYA Opportunities. 2018-05-21. Retrieved 2025-08-05.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Nominations For Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2025 Are Now Open". Forbes. 2024-10-07. Retrieved 2025-08-05.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "10 Rare Facts About Forbes 30 Under 30 Nominations 2026". 9-Figure Media. 2025-08-01. Retrieved 2025-08-05.
- ↑ "How To Get on Forbes 30 Under 30 (From Someone Who Made the List!)". Wonsulting. 2022-08-24. Retrieved 2025-08-05.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Adisankar (2023-12-08). "How to get into Forbes 30 Under 30?". Medium. Retrieved 2025-08-05.
- ↑ The Perfect Answers (2024-12-04). "How to Qualify for Forbes 30 Under 30: The Ultimate Guide". Medium. Retrieved 2025-08-05.
- ↑ Zoya Hasan (2025-04-15). "Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe Entertainment 2025: Ella Purnell, Alan Walker, Lola Young And The Rising Stars On Screen And On Stage". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-08-05.
- ↑ Marek Kubik (2018-04-21). "How to make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list: from someone who did". mkubik.com. Retrieved 2025-08-05.