In a world that’s constantly evolving, these young entrepreneurs are the driving force behind groundbreaking innovations, social change, and the redefinition of industries. Forget traditional business models and outdated norms—these trailblazers are proof that age is no barrier to success.
Here are 30 dynamic individuals under 30 who are already changing the game:
- Whitney Wolfe Herd (Bumble) At 25, Wolfe Herd co-founded the dating app Tinder, but left due to disagreements. Undeterred, she launched Bumble, a female-focused dating and networking app where women make the first move. Bumble’s empowering approach to dating and its expansion into professional networking has made it a global phenomenon.
- Austin Russell (Luminar Technologies) Russell dropped out of Stanford at 17 to found Luminar Technologies, a company developing lidar technology for self-driving cars. Luminar’s advanced sensors are being adopted by major automakers, making autonomous vehicles a closer reality.
- Melanie Perkins (Canva) Perkins co-founded Canva at 22, aiming to democratize design. Canva’s user-friendly graphic design platform has empowered millions of people to create professional-looking visuals without any design experience.
- Patrick Collison and John Collison (Stripe)The Collison brothers co-founded Stripe, a fintech company that simplifies online payments for businesses. Stripe’s developer-friendly tools and global reach have made it a favorite among startups and established companies alike.
- Brian Wong (Kiip) Wong founded Kiip, a mobile rewards platform that allows brands to reward users for in-app achievements. Kiip’s innovative approach to mobile advertising has attracted major brands and helped to redefine how consumers interact with ads.
- Ritesh Agarwal (OYO Rooms) Agarwal started OYO Rooms, a network of budget hotels, at 19. OYO has expanded rapidly across India and other countries, providing affordable and standardized accommodation options for travelers.
- Boyan Slat (The Ocean Cleanup) Slat founded The Ocean Cleanup at 18 with the ambitious goal of cleaning up the world’s oceans. The organization’s innovative technology and Slat’s unwavering determination have garnered international attention and support.
- Adora Cheung (Homejoy) Cheung co-founded Homejoy, an online platform for booking home cleaning services. While Homejoy ultimately shut down, Cheung’s experience highlights the challenges and lessons of building a startup in a competitive market.
- David Karp (Tumblr) Karp founded Tumblr, a microblogging platform that allows users to share text, photos, videos, and other content. Tumblr’s unique blend of social networking and self-expression has attracted a passionate community of users.
- Ben Silbermann and Evan Sharp (Pinterest)Silbermann and Sharp co-founded Pinterest, a visual discovery engine where users can find and save ideas for everything from recipes to home decor. Pinterest’s focus on visual content and personalized recommendations has made it a popular platform for both consumers and businesses.
- Apoorva Mehta (Instacart) Mehta founded Instacart, a grocery delivery service that allows users to order groceries online and have them delivered to their doorstep. Instacart’s convenience and efficiency have made it a popular choice for busy consumers.
- Christina Stembel (Farmgirl Flowers) Stembel founded Farmgirl Flowers, an online flower delivery service that sources flowers from local farms. Farmgirl Flowers’ commitment to sustainability and unique bouquets have made it a favorite among consumers and businesses alike.
- Stanley Tang and Andy Fang (DoorDash) Tang and Fang co-founded DoorDash, a food delivery service that connects customers with local restaurants. DoorDash’s rapid growth and expanding partnerships with restaurants have made it a major player in the food delivery market.
- Tyler Haney (Outdoor Voices) Haney founded Outdoor Voices, an activewear brand that promotes a more inclusive and approachable attitude towards fitness. Outdoor Voices’ stylish and comfortable clothing has resonated with a wide range of consumers.
- Ben Francis (Gymshark) Francis founded Gymshark, a fitness apparel and accessories brand, from his garage at the age of 19. Gymshark’s social media-savvy marketing and focus on community building have made it a global phenomenon.
- John Zimmer and Logan Green (Lyft)Zimmer and Green co-founded Lyft, a ride-hailing company that competes with Uber. Lyft’s focus on creating a positive and inclusive experience for both drivers and passengers has helped it differentiate itself in the market.
- James Proud (HelloFresh) Proud co-founded HelloFresh, a meal kit delivery service that provides customers with pre-portioned ingredients and recipes. HelloFresh’s convenience and focus on healthy eating have made it a popular choice for busy individuals and families.
- Brian Armstrong and Fred Ehrsam (Coinbase) Armstrong and Ehrsam co-founded Coinbase, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges. Coinbase has made it easier for people to buy, sell, and store cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
- Alexandr Wang (Scale AI) Wang founded Scale AI, a company that provides data labeling and annotation services for artificial intelligence companies. Scale AI’s work is helping to accelerate the development of AI technologies.
- David Velez (Nubank) Velez founded Nubank, a digital bank in Brazil that offers a no-fee credit card and other financial services. Nubank’s innovative approach to banking has challenged traditional financial institutions and attracted millions of customers.
- Palmer Luckey (Oculus VR) Luckey founded Oculus VR, a company that developed virtual reality headsets. Oculus was acquired by Facebook in 2014 and has since become a major player in the VR market.
- Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, and Nathan Blecharczyk (Airbnb) Although founded in 2008, Airbnb’s meteoric rise in the 2010s makes this trio of founders worthy of inclusion. Their platform revolutionized the hospitality industry, enabling people to rent out their homes to travelers and creating a global community of hosts and guests.
- Daniel Dines (UiPath) Dines co-founded UiPath, a robotic process automation (RPA) company that automates repetitive tasks for businesses. UiPath’s software has helped companies improve efficiency and reduce costs.
- Josh Tetrick (Eat Just) Tetrick co-founded Eat Just, a food technology company that produces plant-based alternatives to eggs and other animal products. Eat Just’s products are helping to reduce the environmental impact of the food industry.
- Payal Kadakia (ClassPass) Kadakia revolutionized the fitness industry with ClassPass, a subscription service that grants access to a wide variety of fitness classes and studios. By offering flexibility and affordability, ClassPass made it easier for people to stay active and try new workouts.
- Christina Stembel (Farmgirl Flowers) Stembel founded Farmgirl Flowers, an online flower delivery service that sources flowers from local farms. Farmgirl Flowers’ commitment to sustainability and unique bouquets have made it a favorite among consumers and businesses alike.
- Stanley Tang and Andy Fang (DoorDash) Tang and Fang co-founded DoorDash, a food delivery service that connects customers with local restaurants. DoorDash’s rapid growth and expanding partnerships with restaurants have made it a major player in the food delivery market.
- Tyler Haney (Outdoor Voices)Haney founded Outdoor Voices, an activewear brand that promotes a more inclusive and approachable attitude towards fitness. Outdoor Voices’ stylish and comfortable clothing has resonated with a wide range of consumers.
- Ben Francis (Gymshark) Francis founded Gymshark, a fitness apparel and accessories brand, from his garage at the age of 19. Gymshark’s social media-savvy marketing and focus on community building have made it a global phenomenon.
- John Zimmer and Logan Green (Lyft) Zimmer and Green co-founded Lyft, a ride-hailing company that competes with Uber. Lyft’s focus on creating a positive and inclusive experience for both drivers and passengers has helped it differentiate itself in the market.
What Can You Learn From Them?
The success stories of these 30 under 30 entrepreneurs offer invaluable lessons for aspiring business leaders:- Audacity Over Experience: These young trailblazers prove that experience isn’t a prerequisite for success. They’ve shown that boldness, passion, and a willingness to take calculated risks can outweigh years of industry know-how.
- Problem-Solving is Key: They identify real-world problems and create solutions that make a difference. Their businesses aren’t just about profit; they’re about improving lives, disrupting industries, and making the world a better place.
- Tech-Savviness is a Superpower: These entrepreneurs leverage technology to their advantage, using it to create innovative products, streamline processes, and reach a global audience. They understand that in today’s digital age, tech fluency is a must-have skill.
- Community Building is Essential: Many of these entrepreneurs have built strong communities around their brands, fostering a sense of belonging and loyalty among their customers. This community-driven approach not only strengthens their brand but also creates a network of advocates who are invested in their success.
- Adaptability and Resilience: The business landscape is constantly changing, and these young entrepreneurs have shown a remarkable ability to adapt and pivot when necessary. They embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and are not afraid to experiment and try new things.
