MEET Australia’s Inaugural
FORBES 30 UNDER 30 list
Edited by Anastasia Santoreneos | Photography by Cameron Grayson
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.
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.
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.
Importantly, these 30 finalists have been chosen by the Forbes Australia team and a panel of independent, expert judges based on various factors, including (but not limited to) funding and revenue, social impact, scale, innovation and industry potential.
The ages listed are as of December 31, 2023.
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