Sydney, AUSTRALIA (December 1, 2025) – Forbes Australia today unveiled the 2025 30 Under 30 list, spotlighting 30 young innovators, creators, athletes and entrepreneurs who are reshaping their industries and influencing the future of business, culture and society.
The list, published in today’s edition of Forbes Australia and at forbes.com.au, showcases some of the country’s most recognised rising stars as well as breakthrough founders and changemakers whose work is accelerating Australia’s progress and excellence in technology, entertainment, sport, science, social impact and AI.
From tech founders behind some of Australia’s most watched AI companies, including Jacky Koh, Daniel Vassilev and Daniel Palmer, to global screen talent Milly Alcock and Dacre Montgomery, space and robotics innovator Chloe Chang and health-tech founder Grace Toombs, as well as athletes dominating the world stage such as Josh Giddey and Gout Gout, the Forbes Australia 30 Under 30 list highlights some of the nation’s most dynamic and influential emerging voices.
Forbes Australia Editor-in-Chief, Sarah O’Carroll, said: “The second 30 Under 30 list captures the extraordinary pace at which young Australians are shaping the world around them. Whether in AI, space tech, sport or the creative industries, this cohort reflects ambition, global perspective and an unrelenting drive to make an impact.
“The extraordinary members of our 30 Under 30 don’t just spot a problem or see an opportunity – they assume instinctively that they can be the ones to solve it. Their sheer self-belief, combined with being a digital native and the naivety of youth, becomes a competitive advantage. They don’t see the barriers. They press ahead in full throttle, and in doing so they’re reshaping the future of business.”
To develop the 30 Under 30 shortlist, Forbes Australia’s writers and editors combed through online nominations, as well as tapping industry sources and list alumni for recommendations. Candidates were evaluated by Forbes Australia staff and a panel of independent, expert judges* on a variety of factors, including funding, revenue, social impact, scale, inventiveness and potential. Sponsors of the issue include Tiffany & Co and Puma Australia.
Forbes Australia 30 Under 30 list Editor, Anastasia Santoreneos, said: “Australia’s talent pipeline is more dynamic than ever. What distinguishes this year’s 30 Under 30 is not only what they’ve built, but the pace at which they’re building it. They move quickly, think globally and operate with a level of clarity and ambition that sets them apart.
“This is our second annual 30 Under 30 list, and once again, it is not short of talent, success, funding or entrepreneurial innovation. Our 30 finalists have shown passion, drive and dedication to their craft and cause, which has been recognised by Australia’s industry experts and our editorial team. We look forward to following their stories as they continue to shape Australia’s economic, social and cultural landscape.”
- THE 2025 FORBES AUSTRALIA 30 UNDER 30 LIST:
- Ainslie Harvey,Hot History (media and entertainment)
- Aishwarya Kansakar,Syncrowin (science and healthcare)
- Alex Dekker, Alex Makes Meals (social impact)
- Alexis Aaron and Jodine Wolman,Sortd (retail and e-commerce)
- Chloe Chang,Lunar Outpost (science and healthcare)
- Dacre Montgomery (music and the arts)
- Diana Reid (media and entertainment)
- Gaby Rosenberg,Blossom (finance and VC)
- Gout Gout (sport)
- Grace Toombs,June Health(science and healthcare)
- Harrison Crowe-Maxwell, Shyeon Delnawaz and Thien Long Tran,Puralink (technology)
- Jackson Zeng,Caleb & Brown(finance and VC)
- Jacky Koh, Daniel Vassilev and Daniel Palmer,Relevance AI (technology)
- Josh Giddey (sport)
- Joshua Wigley, Hyperion Systems (technology)
- Kai van Lieshout,Lyrebird (technology)
- Lachlan Power, PWR (media and entertainment)
- Martina Qin, Qloud Games (technology)
- Milly Alcock (music and the arts)
- Minjee Lee (sport)
- Mitchell Hughes and Jerry X’Lingson, Next Gen Ventures (finance and VC)
- Molly Picklum (sport)
- Nick Daicos (sport)
- Noah Hunter Dorsey,Future Fulfilment (retail and e-commerce)
- Noah Yang,We Are Mobilise (social impact)
- Phoebe Britten,Inspire Tomorrow Education (social impact)
- Savannah Clarke (music and the arts)
- Sophia Begg, All for Mimi (retail and e-commerce)
- Tatenda Luna (media and entertainment)
- Yerin Ha (music and the arts)
THE 2025 FORBES AUSTRALIA 30 UNDER 30 LIST BY THE NUMBERS:
- $150 million: The capital raised by the 30 finalists.
- 25: The average age of this year’s 30 Under 30 cohort, with 17-year-old sprinter Gout Gout the youngest on the list.
- 50,291,888: The total combined social media following of this year’s 30 Under 30 members, led by YouTuber Lachlan Power, who boasts over 25 million followers across all platforms.
- 17,680,922: The Instagram followers across this year’s 30 Under 30 list, led by actor Dacre Montgomery with over 7.7 million followers.
- 353: The total number of jobs generated by this year’s 30 Under 30 founders.
- 94%: The percentage of 30 Under 30 founders who attained tertiary education.
* The judging panel was Lucy Liu (Airwallex), Luke Anear (SafetyCulture), Jaimee Lupton (MONDAY), Tim Duggan (Junkee Media, Digital Publishers Alliance), Kate Jones (Australian Rugby League, Paralympics Australia), Nyoka Morgan (social entrepreneur, Nyyani Coaching), Mike Zimmerman (Main Sequence Ventures), Michael Tolo (Blackbird Ventures), Kristy Rosser (Live Nation), Richard Weinberg (Terrace Tower Group), Angela Priestley (Women’s Agenda) and Euan Black (Yahoo Australia).
