The 2026 List Highlights 300 Outstanding Young Entrepreneurs And Innovators From Across The Asia-Pacific Region

#ForbesU30Asia #ForbesUnder30

SINGAPORE (May 28, 2026) – Forbes released today the 11^th annual edition of its “30 Under 30 Asia” list, featuring 300 young entrepreneurs, leaders and innovators across the Asia-Pacific region, all under the age of 30, who are pushing the boundaries in their respective fields at a time when AI is fast becoming ingrained in work and play. The Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Class of 2026 features notable listees selected across 10 categories, including AI; Consumer & Enterprise Technology; Entertainment & Sports; Finance & Venture Capital; Healthcare & Science; Industry, Manufacturing & Energy; Retail & Ecommerce; Social Impact; Social Media, Marketing & Advertising and The Arts (Art & Style, Food & Drink).

Among those featured on this year’s list are Chinese actor Wang Yibo; K-pop bands Cortis and I-dle, from South Korea; Singaporean singer Nathania Ong; Thai actor Putthipong Assaratanakul; Major League Baseball player Yoshinobu Yamamoto from Japan; Shannon Tan, pro golfer from Singapore; Jitendra Kumar Saini and Gouthami T S, cofounders of India’s amphibious drone maker AquaAirX; Kirsten Banks, Australia-based astrophysicist and science content creator also known as AstroKirsten; Hu Chenxu and Jiang Zheyuan, cofounders of China’s Noetix Robotics Technology, a maker of humanoid robots that performed martial arts at the 2026 Spring Festival Gala variety show; Hyunjune Ji, founder of Seoul-based hospitality tech startup Vacatio; China’s RJ Gan, who cofounded AI faith startup Confidein that makes a technology-powered prayer ring; Japanese award-winning haiku poet Kei Iwata; Tarmo Peltokoski, the 25-year-old music director designate of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra; Regine Sum, founder of Singapore-based Nasty Cookie; Dhawal Jain, Aman Kumar and Jai Sharma, cofounders of India’s Mave Health which developed a brain-stimulating headset to relieve stress and improve sleep and mental health and Indonesia’s Deryl Lu, cofounder of agritech startup Dayatani, which uses technology to help farmers improve their yields.

Rana Wehbe Watson, Editorial Director, Forbes Asia and Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Editor, said: “The 11^th edition of the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list spotlights a fresh wave of young minds from across Asia Pacific, who continue to innovate and disrupt their industries at a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping our daily lives.”

"From entrepreneurs building companion robots and AI tools to up-and-coming stars stepping into the global spotlight, this year’s listees illustrate Gen-Z’s influence across business and culture in the region."

Featured highlights on the “30 Under 30 Asia” list include:

• AI: Simon Song, 28, Founder, VAST – China
• Consumer & Enterprise Technology: Jihyun Kim, 28, Founder, Korea Deep Learning – South Korea
• Entertainment & Sports: Alexandra Eala, 20, Tennis player –Philippines
• Finance & Venture Capital: Patrick Nappa, 29, Cofounder, Kashcade – Australia
• Healthcare & Science: Hikari Okita, 29, Assistant Professor, Institute of Science Tokyo – Japan
• Industry, Manufacturing & Energy: Guo Renjie, 28, Founder, JoyIn Technology – China
• Retail & Ecommerce: Aniket Shah, Ujjwal Sukheja, and Saran S., 26, 25, 25, Cofounders, Swish – India
• Social Impact: Anson Wong & Jerry Lo, 28, 27, Cofounders, Eat100 – Hong Kong
• Social Media, Marketing & Advertising: Erika Richardo, 23, Content creator – Indonesia
• The Arts (Art & Style, Food & Drink): Bhavitha Mandava, 25, Model – India

The 2026 list features a diverse set of 30 Under 30 Asia listees, with 18 countries and territories represented across the Asia-Pacific region. India has the most entries, 78, followed by China, 46, Australia, 38, and Japan, 32. Indonesia, Singapore and South Korea each have 18. Roughly a quarter are women and the average age is 26.

To source candidates for the list, Forbes Asia reporters and editors comb through thousands of online submissions, as well as tap industry sources and list alumni for recommendations. Close to 4000 candidates were evaluated by the Forbes Asia team and a panel of experts, including 30 Under 30 alumni, from a range of sectors.

Listees were vetted and selected by a panel of accomplished and acclaimed judges in each category. The judges are Roshni Nadar Malhotra, chairperson of HCLTech and trustee of Shiv Nadar Foundation; Kai-Fu Lee, chairman and CEO of Sinovation Ventures; Kishin RK, founder and CEO of RB Capital; Allan Zeman, founder and chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group; Kuok Meng Ru, founder and CEO of Caldecott Music Group; Nisa Leung, founding managing partner at Aulis Capital; Arif Rachmat, cofounder and executive chairman of TAP Group; Laurence Lien, cofounder and chairman of Asia Philanthropy Circle; Patrick Grove, cofounder and group CEO of Catcha Group; David Gowdey,managing partner at Jungle Ventures; Paul Ronalds, founder and CEO of Save the Children Global Ventures; Yinglan Tan, founding managing partner at Insignia Ventures Partners; Annabelle Yu Long, founding and managing partner at BAI Capital; Magnus Grimeland, founder and CEO of Antler; Bing Chen, cofounder and CEO of Gold House; Akiko Naka, founder and CEO of Wantedly; Hian Goh, founding partner at OpenSpace Capital; Ronald Akili, CEO of Potato Head Family; Vinnie Lauria, founding partner at Golden Gate Ventures; Randy Duax, managing director, Asia-Pacific at Stagwell; Nikhil Sawhney, vice chairman and managing director at Triveni Turbine; Eric Gnock Fah, cofounder and president of Klook; Anna Fang, founding partner and CEO of ZhenFund; Chandra Tjan, cofounder and general partner at Alpha JWC; Snehal Patel, managing director of Saena Partners; Hua Fung Teh, cofounder and group president of ONE; Nicole Warne, founder of Gary Pepper Girl and Vinesh Johny, cofounder of Lavonne Academy of Baking Science and Pastry Arts.

For the complete Forbes 2026 30 Under 30 Asia package, visit https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2026/asia/

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Forbes Asia Media Contact: Catherine Ong, cath@catherineong.com or +65 9697 0007

Forbes Asia Media Contact: Sharon Cheah, sharon@catherineong.com or +65 9658 2942