PLUS Forbes Unveils First-Ever 30 Under 30 Local Columbus List, Featuring OSU Buckeyes’ Caleb Downs, Emeka Egbuka, Cotie McMahon and More
Today, Forbes hosted a special press event to officially announce the 2025 Forbes Under 30 Summit, in partnership with JobsOhio, and to unveil the Forbes 30 Under 30 Local Columbus List.
The 2025 Under 30 Summit, taking place in Columbus from September 28-October 1, 2025, will convene the world’s top young leaders, founders and creators for four days of connecting, learning, teaching and building.
“We’re bringing it home to the capital of Ohio for the 2025 Forbes Under 30 Summit, our third and biggest year yet in the state as we spotlight the entrepreneurial momentum building in the Columbus area,” said Steven Bertoni, Assistant Managing Editor at Forbes. “With a vibrant sense of community and innovation, we’re proud to spotlight the city of Columbus’ brightest entrepreneurs and game-changers leading the way in their industries.”
Confirmed speakers for the 2025 Forbes Under 30 Summit include:
- Vivek Ramaswamy, Entrepreneur, Author, 2024 Presidential Candidate, and 2026 Candidate for Governor of Ohio
- Suni Lee, 3-Time Olympic Medalist
- Allison Ellsworth, Cofounder, Poppi
- Jeni Britton, Founder & CEO, Floura and Founder, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
- May Habib, Founder & CEO, Writer
With additional names being announced soon.
The event will kick off on Sunday, September 28, with Forbes’ signature Under 30 Summit concert, with performances to be announced soon. Attendees will hear from A-list speakers, access exclusive networking opportunities, participate in industry focused excursions and experiences across Columbus, and join in on a day of giving back to the Columbus community.
“This Summit is more than a moment,” said Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “It’s a reflection of what is possible in a place like Columbus, where partnership powers progress, inclusion fuels innovation, and tomorrow’s leaders are already making moves today.”
Today’s press conference convened 30 Under 30 Local Columbus list makers, key city and state officials and partners. Ohio State University football safety Caleb Downs, who was recently named to the 30 Under 30 Local Columbus list, spoke in a fireside chat with Forbes’ Steve Bertoni about his selection to the Under 30 list and his connection to the great state of Ohio.
The first-ever 30 Under 30 Local Columbus list, which launched today, spotlights young entrepreneurs in cities across the local Columbus region. This year’s 30 Under 30 Columbus list includes OSU Buckeyes football safety Caleb Downs, National Champion OSU football players Emeka Egbuka and William Howard, former OSU Women’s Basketball Player Cotie McMahon, Olympic Medal-winning swimmer Hunter Armstrong and many more.
"Columbus has a vibrant and growing entrepreneur and business community that continues to thrive,” said J.P. Nauseef, President & CEO of JobsOhio. “This year's Forbes 30 Under 30 Local List showcases a wide range of the incredible talent that draws so many young people to Columbus. We look forward to welcoming them and the thousands of attendees later this fall."
To curate the list, Forbes worked closely with local industry leaders for their expert recommendations. Candidates were then thoroughly vetted by Forbes and a panel of independent, expert judges on a variety of factors including but not limited to funding, revenue, social impact, scale, inventiveness and potential. Those who appear on the final 30 Under 30 Local List are still eligible for future Forbes lists, including the Forbes 30 Under 30 U.S. list.
For the 30 Under 30 Local Columbus List and more, visit: here
For additional information or to attend the Forbes Under 30 Summit in September, visit: Forbes Under 30 Summit.
To join the conversation on social, follow #Under30Summit.
JobsOhio is the Presenting Sponsor for the 2025 Under 30 Summit. Pratt Industries is the Supporting Sponsor.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250529352053/en/
Contacts
Media:
Laura Brusca: lbrusca@forbes.com
Feryal Nawaz: fnawaz@forbes.com
