The Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2017 was recently announced. If you don't know what that is, here's the breakdown: Forbes (well, actually, a panel of judges) picks 30 outstanding people under the age of 30 in 20 different categories (so, a total of 600 individuals, not that I don't believe in your multiplication skills) from a pool of applicants. The acceptance rate to this prestigious class is less than four percent. You could say it's a bit competitive. These people make up the best and brightest minds of the future in their respective fields. AKA, they are the kind of people that you'd want to show up at your next dinner party.
Everyone on this list is incredibly talented and qualified, but here's a breakdown of who I just deemed to be the coolestin each category:
1. Art and Style: James Charles
A 17-year-old make-up artist, this guy pushed the boundaries of social norms last year when he became the first male ambassador for CoverGirl. Highlighter on point.
2. Consumer Technology: Joseph Bernstein and Kayvon Beykpour
Both 28, these two cofounded Periscope (later bought by Twitter), an app that allowed for live-stream videos to be shared. They continue to lead the live-streaming industry, which is becoming the hot trend of major social media companies (did you see Instagram's new update?).
3. Education: Gregory Brown and Mitchell Moffit
Also 28 years old, these two are the creators of AsapSCIENCE, the YouTube hit that provides scientific explanations in simple and comedic terms. Go watch. You'll have fun and learn lots.
4. Energy: Maanasa Mendu
Mendu seeks to fight energy scarcity in India with a piezoelectric "leaf" that can harvest sun, wind and rain energy. Oh, and she's the youngest in the class of 2017, at 14 years old. Wow.
5. Enterprise Technology: Charlotte Kiang
Kiang is a 25-year-old Mission Integration Engineer and program leader at SpaceX (that company that's been in the news for its lofty goal of getting humans to Mars).
6. Finance: Matthew Humphrey
At 29 years old, Humphrey is the founder of LendingHome, a tech-y improvement to home mortgage options, allowing for less pricy loans to be given to homebuyers. He started college at 13 years old, no big deal.
7. Food and Drink: Michael Levine
Levine, 25 years old, is the CEO of Global Food Solutions, Inc. He works to bring more nutritious, locally produced options to schools for student lunches. The company is currently based in the New York City public school system. Go Levine.
8. Games: Max Temkin
Temkin (29) is one of the cofounders of Cards Against Humanity, LLC. Not only did he help create a super-fun game, he also is a supporter of Creative Commons, charitable donations and is an all-around funny guy. Check this out.
9. Healthcare: Riley Ennis and Gabriel Otte
Ennis (23) and Otte (28) are cofounders of Freenome, a company in the development process of a blood test to diagnose cancer in its earliest stages by looking at changes in DNA fragments. Doesn't get any cooler than that.
10. Hollywood and Entertainment: Laura Gordon
Gordon is a 29-year-old Television Literary Agent at ICM Partners. She represents writers and directors of culturally-groundbreaking shows such as Transparent and Master of None, helping to bring serious issues to light in a way that the general public takes interest in. She aids in your binge-watching sessions and your desire to see positive social change.
11. Law and Policy: Svante Myrick
Currently 29 years old, Myrick was elected to be mayor of Ithaca, New York at just 24. He closed a three million dollar budget deficit, improved infrastructure, housing and public transport, while ultimately lowering taxes. Slightly more successful than Ben Wyatt and Ice Town.
12. Manufacturing and Industry: Kasey Catt and Noah Snyder
Ages 29 and 28, respectively, these two are the cofounders of Interphase Materials, which makes non-toxic anti-corrosive additives for a variety of objects.
13. Marketing and Advertising: Marina Cockenberg
29 years old, she is the Director of Digital for the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. She grew their digital audience from 5 to 32 million with her interactive marketing techniques such as live tweeting, live video streaming and snapchat interactions with viewers.
14. Media: John Meyer
Not to be confused with John Mayer, this 21-year-old is the founder of Fresco News, which aims to make regular people "reporters" and allow global news to travel more freely.
15. Music: G-Eazy
I mean...it's G-Eazy. What else is there to say?
16. Retail and E-Commerce: Allen Brouwer
Brouwer (28) is the cofounder of BestSelfCo, which uses journals and planners to encourage you to be your best self. If you're ever feeling like the whole world is against you, just remember that Allen Brouwer is on your side and wants you to succeed.
17. Science: Michael Johnson
This 27-year-old is a cofounder of Visikol, Inc. He's helping in the study of spatially-complex diseases, like Alzheimer's, by creating three-dimensional, transparent tissues. As a biomedical engineer, I'm internally jumping around giddily.
18. Social Entrepreneurs: Teju Ravilochan
Ravilochan is 29 years old and a cofounder of the Unreasonable Institute. This organization connects entrepreneurs with big dreams with the resources necessary to achieve them, even if they seem "unreasonable." He is partnered with the Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation.
19. Sports: Simone Biles
You probably know who she is, but in case you were stuck under a rock this summer, here's the lowdown: Biles is a 19-year-old olympic gymnast for Team USA, with four olympic gold medals and ten world championship gold medals. I'm convinced she is actually Wonder Woman.
20. Venture Capital: Lu Zhang
Zhang (28) is the founding partner of NewGen Capital. She was initially an entrepreneurial engineer, but sold her first start-up to turn to venture capitalism, funding technology-based start-up companies.
