Forbes 30 Under 30 2026: Meet the Class

Forbes 30 Under 30 2026: The Class That's Shaping Tomorrow

The Forbes 30 Under 30 list has returned for its 15th anniversary, spotlighting 600 exceptional young leaders across 20 industries. This year's class – backed by over $3.8 billion in funding and representing 200 million social media followers – is not just achieving success; they're redefining it in an era dominated by artificial intelligence and global challenges.

By the Numbers: The 2026 Class

The numbers behind this year's cohort tell a powerful story of innovation and impact:

• Funding: $3.8+ billion raised (up from $3.6B last year)
• Average Age: 27 years old (youngest honoree is 17-year-old education entrepreneur Momin Ahmed)
• Diversity: 41% identify as people of color; 22% are immigrants
• Gender Split: 42% female/non-binary, 58% male
• Gen Z Dominance: 70% born in 1997 or later (final list featuring millennials)
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: 68% are founders or co-founders

Top hubs for these innovators include New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston and Chicago, with California, New York and Texas leading as the most represented states.

How the List is Made

Creating the Forbes 30 Under 30 list is a rigorous process involving Forbes reporters, independent experts, and celebrity judges including pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo, actress Yara Shahidi, and billionaire entrepreneur Palmer Luckey. Over 10,000 candidates are evaluated based on their impact, financial achievements, and potential to scale – with the competition growing fiercer each year.

AI Revolutionaries Leading the Charge

Artificial intelligence isn't just a buzzword for this class – it's their playground. Jesse Zhang, 28-year-old founder of valuation-$1.5B startup Decagon, has raised $255M to develop AI agents that handle customer service for major brands. "Whenever there's a big technology shift, it just opens the door for a lot of companies," Zhang explains. "But the number of great ideas is usually pretty small."

Other AI pioneers include:

• Katherine Sizov (29) using AI sensors to combat food waste
• Jonathan Lord (29) building "the Tesla of the sea" with electric boat engines
• Young entrepreneurs creating tools that "let anyone become a genius coder or master artist"

Industry Transformers

Beyond AI, honorees are revolutionizing traditional sectors:

• Entertainment: Claudia Sulewski (29) transformed her YouTube channel into a $15M body-care brand. Alex Warren (25) turned social media fame into 5 billion music streams and arena tours.
• Social Impact: Eric Herrera and Jesse Evans (27) are developing proteins that dissolve rocks, making mining less environmentally destructive.
• Healthcare: Innovators using AI to cut administrative burdens and improve patient care.

Even established stars like Riverdale's Lili Reinhart (30 Under 30 alum) are leveraging fame for entrepreneurship – her skincare brand Personal Day generated $10M in its first year.

The Billionaire Pipeline

Since its inception in 2012, the Forbes 30 Under 30 list has become a farm league for future business titans. To date, 46 honorees have achieved billionaire status, proving this isn't just recognition – it's a launchpad for legacy-building enterprises. As the list evolves to reflect new industries and technologies, its core mission remains constant: identifying leaders with imagination, intelligence, and grit.

"These Under 30 honorees are reinventing old industries and creating entirely new ones," notes Forbes. "They're backed by the biggest funders and continue to invent the ideas that will change the world."

What's Next for Under 30?

With Gen Z now comprising 70% of the class, we can expect even more disruption in traditional fields and accelerated adoption of emerging technologies like quantum computing and advanced robotics. As the 2026 class demonstrates, the future isn't just coming – it's being actively built by young visionaries who refuse to wait their turn.

For the complete list of 600 honorees across 20 categories, visit Forbes.com.