In a dynamic world, young entrepreneurs in the Asia-Pacific region are pioneering innovative approaches to adapt to new business landscapes, driving industry transformation. They prioritize sustainable growth and profitability, particularly as venture capital becomes scarce globally. With AI emerging as a key to future success, many founders are striving to develop and market advanced technologies. AI applications span various fields, from helping manufacturers detect production flaws to aiding financial firms in market research. Environmental concerns are also at the forefront, with entrepreneurs capitalizing on growing sectors like electric vehicles and car-sharing. For instance, 29-year-old Johnson Lim has successfully built a profitable car-sharing business in just over two years and plans to expand beyond Singapore.
Akshit Bansal and Raghav Arora identified a promising opportunity in the eco-friendly transport sector, as India's EV market is growing at an annual rate of 26%, based on data from Hyderabad's Mordor Intelligence. Their company, Statiq, offers a nationwide network of charging stations for electric cars, buses, trucks, and three-wheelers. Through Statiq's app, users can find charging stations that can power up an EV in as little as 15 minutes. To date, Statiq has secured $27.5 million in funding from investors. According to the cofounders, the company is on track to achieve its first operating profit in the next financial year.
Bhagya Shree Jain, founder of The Disposal Company.
Other companies are aiding businesses in going green by offering solutions for energy and waste management. In the Social Impact sphere, Bhagya Shree Jain, 29, established The Disposal Company (TDC) in 2020 to assist fast-moving consumer goods firms in reducing their plastic footprint. TDC also arranges plastic credits, akin to carbon credits, charging a fee while using the rest to pay waste workers for collecting and recycling plastic waste from landfills. Additionally, China's Zhu Yueyang created Small Eel in 2020, an energy-management firm helping commercial property owners cut energy costs and carbon footprints using smart sensors in various cities.
Voice of Baceprot: Euis Siti Aisyah, Firda Marsya Kurnia and Widi Rahmawati.
The list not only features startup founders but also spotlights artists, athletes, and emerging stars who are shattering stereotypes and empowering their generation.
Among this year’s honorees in the Entertainment & Sports category is Voice of Baceprot (VoB), an all-female, hijab-wearing Indonesian metal band. The trio—comprising Firda Marsya Kurnia (vocals), Widi Rahmawati (bass), and Euis Siti Aisyah (drums)—is breaking norms in a Muslim-majority country. VoB aims to inspire young girls by demonstrating that they can aspire to a bright future despite facing threats in a society where female metal performers are uncommon.
VoB’s songs tackle issues like gender inequality and climate change, earning them recognition from U.K.-based magazine Metal Hammer as "the metal band the world needs right now." In a historic move, VoB will become the first Indonesian musicians to perform at Glastonbury, marking a significant milestone at the U.K. festival’s 54-year history.
In the realm of sports, athletes are also making waves. Josh Cavallo, scouted at 15, played for Australia’s under-20 national team in 2019 before joining Adelaide United as a left back and central midfielder. He won the team’s rising star award after his debut season and secured a contract extension. Cavallo made headlines in 2021 by coming out as gay, a rare act in his sport, and this year, he proposed to his boyfriend on Adelaide’s home pitch.
This year's list highlights activists committed to raising awareness and advocating for their causes. Chanel Contos, through an Instagram story asking about peers' experiences with sexual assault in school, sparked a movement to improve sex education in Australia. She gathered thousands of testimonials and founded Teach Us Consent, pushing for comprehensive and early consent education.
In India, Adrija Chakrabarti, who battled PTSD and depression while raising a child alone, founded the Mental Health Movement (MHM) Chandigarh. With a master's in psychology from the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, she started an Instagram campaign in 2019, leading to the establishment of the MHM Clinic in 2020, which focuses on trauma recovery.
Human rights attorney Axana Soltan has dedicated her career to education access for young people. After her family fled Afghanistan in 1999, she studied at Virginia Commonwealth University and supported low-income children locally and abroad. She founded the Enhancing Children's Lives Organization, providing education to young Afghan women using solar-powered radios, inspired by her own experience in "secret schools."
This year's 30 Under 30 Asia list features individuals from 21 countries, with India leading with 86 entries, followed by China and Japan with 32 each. The final list of 300 was selected by Forbes Asia’s reporters from thousands of nominations.
