Forbes Australia has revealed its inaugural 30 Under 30 list, wanting to shine the spotlight on 30 Australian young innovators, trailblazers and entrepreneurs who are reshaping their industries and changing business and society.
The list, which can be found in the new edition of Forbes Australia out today and at forbes.com.au, includes some of the country’s best-known stars, leaders and entrepreneurs, as well as lesser-known success stories who are making a big difference in their fields.
The Forbes Australia 30 Under 30 list is presented by Pinterest, with supporting partners Food Recycle (social impact category), Motorola (technology) and Spaceship (finance and VC).
Speaking to Mediaweek about the new list, Forbes editor Anastasia Santoreneos said:
“Against a backdrop of rising start-up funding, growing capabilities in AI and increasing interest in space tech, Australia’s young entrepreneurs are making strides in the region. Sustainable growth and international expansion are high on the agenda for our tech entrepreneurs, and a global mindset is key. All in all, our young founders have raised more than $100 million in funding.
Under 30 media and entertainment finalists
“As Meta threatens to pull news from platforms, our media and entertainment finalists have been busy diversifying their revenue streams and content strategies to move off-platform. Take Zara Seidler and Sam Koslowski’s The Daily Aus: with 565,000 followers, the duo has much to lose. But after a $1.2 million capital raise, the pair embarked on a newsletter and podcast strategy that’s paying off, with 226,000 subscribers and 130,000 monthly listeners, respectively.
“The music and arts category is also bursting with young talent, with the likes of singer-turned-entrepreneur Troye Sivan, Hollywood A-lister Jacob Elordi and, hot off a 20-date tour in the US, singer-songwriter Tkay Maidza. All up, our stars hold four Grammy nominations, nine Billboard Music nominations, one Golden Globes nomination and have secured five wins.”
Anastasia Santoreneos
Sporting Legends
“Then there are our women sporting legends who took on the Olympics – and smashed it. Jess Fox became the first Australian canoe slalom athlete to compete at four Olympics – and was the flag-bearer for this year’s Games in Paris. Twenty-three-year-old Ariarne Titmus made the nation proud when she won gold in the women’s 400-metre freestyle (and still holds the world record in this event). Between them, the athletes hold 14 medals.”
Forbes Australia editor-in-chief, Sarah O’Carroll, added: “The inaugural Australian list covers eight categories – from technology and sport to Hollywood and social impact – and 30 of the brightest minds and stars under 30. What these individuals share is unrelenting ambition and an undeniable drive to leave their mark. People are always intrigued by what’s next and who’s leading the charge. The Forbes Australia 30 Under 30 list is the embodiment of that.
“Since its inception 13 years ago, the Forbes 30 Under 30 lists have become the definitive list of young leaders changing the world and championed over 10,000 disruptors from more than 50 countries. Forbes Australia is proud to officially welcome more of our local talent into this global community of bold, innovative young leaders who are changing the course of business and society. A huge congratulations to everyone who made the list – you deserve it.”
Sarah O’Carroll
The Forbes Australia 30 Under 30 List
Abhishek Maran, Rampersand (finance and VC)
Andrew Pankevicius, Lucas Sargant, Alexander Valente, Redactive AI (technology)
Annie Liao, Build Club (finance and VC)
Ariarne Titmus (sport)
Awer Mabil, Barefoot to Boots (social impact)
Chanel Contos, Teach Us Consent (social impact)
Christopher Durre, Max Mito, Kieran Start, StrongRoom AI (technology)
Davie Fogarty, The Oodie (retail and e-commerce)
Dylan Coyne, Updoc (science and healthcare)
Grace Brown, Andromeda Robotics (science and healthcare)
Hamish McKay, Order Editing (retail and e-commerce)
Hannah Ferguson, Cheek Media (media and entertainment)
Jacob Elordi (music and the arts)
Jessica Arthur, Lauren Rugolo, Emma Spiliopoulos, Lash Therapy (retail and e-commerce)
Jessica Fox (sport)
Mason Yates, Blackbird VC (finance and VC)
Mary Fowler (sport)
Matthew Crott, Matthew Boustred, ResusRight (science and healthcare)
Matt Gordon, Jesse Waller, Inner Steps (social impact)
Natasha Etschmann, Tash Invests (media and entertainment)
Oscar Piastri (sport)
Sam Crowther, Kasada (technology)
Shoaib Iqbal, Przemyslaw Lorenczak, Esper Satellite Imagery (technology)
Stephanie Claire Smith, Kic (technology)
Tammy Hembrow, Saski/TammyFit (retail and e-commerce)
The Kid LAROI (music and the arts)
Tkay Maidza (music and the arts)
Troye Sivan (music and the arts)
Zara McDonald, Michelle Andrews, Shameless Media (media and entertainment)
Zara Seidler, Sam Koslowski, The Daily Aus (media and entertainment)
See also: ‘There’s a reason we’ve waited this long’: Building Australia’s first Forbes 30 Under 30 List