Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2025: India leads with Gukesh, Ananya Panday, Ishaan Khatter
This year’s list features talent from 20 countries, led by India with 94 entries
Dubai: Forbes has announced the landmark 10th edition of its 30 Under 30 Asia list, highlighting 300 of the region’s most promising entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders under the age of 30.
India leads the 2025 rankings with 94 honourees — the highest from any country — underscoring its growing influence across multiple industries. Australia (32), China (30), Japan (25), South Korea (23), Singapore (19), and Indonesia (19) follow India in the rankings.
India's young stars shine
Among the standout Indian names on the list are 18-year-old chess sensation D Gukesh, now the World Chess Champion after defeating Magnus Carlsen; Bollywood actress Ananya Panday, recognised as Chanel’s first Indian brand ambassador; and actor Ishaan Khatter, lauded for his roles in Beyond the Clouds and Dhadak. These names reflect the diverse talents shaping India’s cultural and entrepreneurial future.
Startups on the rise
This year’s list also highlights a wave of niche, Gen Z-led startups focused on meaningful impact. Mumbai’s Terractive, founded by sisters Raena and Rahee Ambani, secured nearly $1 million for its sustainable activewear line. Anshita Mehrotra’s Fix My Curls, which caters to India’s underserved curly-haired consumers, raised $910,000. Australian brand Clutch Glue, founded by Annabel Hay as a substitute for traditional fashion tape, secured $900,000 in funding.
AI takes centre stage
Artificial intelligence is a major theme in this year’s list, with many honourees harnessing its power to reinvent business models, secure investments, and launch highly localised solutions. The Class of 2025 spans 10 diverse categories, including AI, Consumer & Enterprise Technology, Finance, Retail & Ecommerce, and The Arts — each showcasing innovation and forward-thinking leadership.
“Forbes Asia’s 10th edition marks a decade of spotlighting extraordinary talent,” said Rana Wehbe Watson, Editorial Director of Forbes Asia. “Many of this year’s honorees are leveraging AI to drive meaningful change in the face of global economic uncertainty.”
Indian changemakers in the spotlight
The list highlights several remarkable Indian individuals, including:
Sheetal Devi (17): The world's first armless archer and a gold medalist at the Asian Para Games.
Gukesh Dommaraju (18): The reigning World Chess Champion and the youngest Indian to defeat Magnus Carlsen.
Anuv Jain (29): An acclaimed indie singer-songwriter known for popular tracks like "Husn" and "Baarishein."
Ishaan Khatter (29): A celebrated actor recognised for his roles in films such as Beyond the Clouds and Dhadak.
Ananya Panday (26): Bollywood star and the first Indian brand ambassador for Chanel.
Anshita Mehrotra (25): Founder of Fix My Curls, a dedicated haircare brand for curly hair.
Jinali Mody: Founder of Banofi Leather, pioneering sustainable leather production from banana waste.
Mukul Chhabra (27): Founder of ScrapUncle, a tech-driven service offering doorstep scrap collection.
Krishna Gupta (27): Cofounder of AamDhanE, working to improve financial literacy in rural India.
Vaibhav Kaushik (27): Cofounder of Nawgati Tech, utilizing AI to reduce fuel queue waiting times.
Karttikeya Mangalam (28): Cofounder of SigIQ.ai, developing technology to monitor machine health in factories.
Kshitiz Sanghi (29): Cofounder of Voosh, bringing automation solutions to cloud kitchens.
Manu Chopra (29): Cofounder of Karya, focusing on the ethical collection of AI training data from rural communities in India.
Hunny Bhagchandani (29): Founder of Torchit, creating affordable technology for individuals with visual impairments.
Arghya Bhattacharya (26): Cofounder of Adalat AI, developing AI tools to simplify legal systems.
Manu Nair & Prashant Sharma: Cofounders of Ethereal Exploration Guild, dedicated to making space technology more affordable.
Niche startups making significant strides
This year's list also features several niche startups gaining traction, reflecting Gen Z's growing inclination towards purpose-driven and locally focused ventures.
Standouts include Terractive, a Mumbai-based activewear brand founded by sisters Raena and Rahee Ambani, which recently secured nearly $1 million in funding. Fix My Curls, founded by Anshita Mehrotra, has also gained momentum with $910,000 in investment.
Highlighting this trend towards purpose-driven, local brands:
Terractive: The Mumbai-based activewear label by Raena and Rahee Ambani, which has raised close to $1 million.
Fix My Curls: Anshita Mehrotra's curly haircare brand, which has attracted $910,000 in investment.
Clutch Glue: An Australian alternative to fashion tape, founded by Annabel Hay, which has raised $900,000.
Global standouts across the Asia-Pacific region
The 2025 list also recognizes a diverse range of prominent figures from across the Asia-Pacific:
Cha Eun-woo: A highly popular Korean singer, actor, and model.
Stray Kids: A globally recognised K-pop group.
Shazza: A talented Singaporean singer-songwriter.
Sungjun Kwon: A Korean chef who gained recognition as the winner of Netflix's Culinary Class Wars.
Charlotte Vieira: An Australian cofounder of the dating app Humpday.
Shinnosuke Oka: A celebrated Japanese Olympic gymnast.
Xi Yue: Cofounder of Robotera, a firm based in Beijing specialiaing in humanoid robots.
Redactive team (Australia): The innovative founders behind a generative AI startup.
Vidi Labs (Hong Kong): Cofounders of a company developing wearable AI camera technology.
A Hot Hideout (Singapore): The entrepreneurial team behind a successful chain of hotpot and spicy noodle restaurants.
Byeoli Choi: The CEO of Movin, a South Korean startup focused on AI motion capture technology.
Kantinan Tunveenukoon: A pioneering Thai entrepreneur in the electric motorcycle industry.
Kazuma Kishida: Cofounder of Dioseve, a Japanese startup developing technology for infertility treatment.
Andrew Brule: An influential Indonesian environmental activist and social media advocate.
As the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list enters its second decade, it reaffirms its commitment to highlighting bold ideas, celebrating regional talent, and showcasing the next generation of impactful change-makers across the Asian continent.
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