Young, Rich, and Calling Their Own Shots
Entrepreneurs keep getting younger and younger, while their companies only get bigger. From solar energy to lobster trapping, the members of our annual 30 Under 30 list are shaking up a variety of industries -- and doing it on their own terms. Meet the next big stars of the business world.
The Transformer
Most aspiring college entrepreneurs usually write business plans for new companies. Aaron Hall wanted to breathe life into an old one. Today, he's running Borrego Solar Systems, a $60 million company at the forefront of the green energy movement.
The Contractor
Uncle Sam can be a very good customer. But landing government contracts is a tricky business, where red tape reigns supreme and bigger, more established companies have an edge. Try telling that to Sumi Krishan, who landed her first deal as a teenager.
The Trappers
For generations, Maine has been the unofficial lobster capital of the world. But it took a pair of 20-something brothers to directly link seafood connoisseurs with the state's lobstermen. That John Ready and Brendan Ready have been catching lobster since childhood might have something to do with it.
The Number-Cruncher
America is drowning in a sea of debt. Aaron Patzer created a program to simplify people's finances -- and help them make smarter spending decisions.
30 Under 30: America's Coolest Young Entrepreneurs
The Next Big Ideas: Cool Products from America's Coolest Young Entrepreneurs
Start-up Secrets: Tips from America's Coolest Young Entrepreneurs
The Coolest Industries: Where to Start a Business Now
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30 Under 30 - 2007
Ben Kaufman empowered customers to design their own iPod gear. Sean Belnick sells chairs to the likes Microsoft and Google. They're just two of the young entrepreneurs helping to shape the future of business. -
30 Under 30 - 2006
From Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to plant-food mogul Tom Szaky, some of the honorees on our inaugural 30 Under 30 list have become household names.
- Aaron Hall, Borrego Solar Systems
- Sumi Krishnan, K4 Solutions
- John Ready, Ready Seafood and Catch a Piece of Maine
- Brendan Ready, Ready Seafood and Catch a Piece of Maine
- Aaron Patzer, Mint.com
- Chaim Indig, Phreesia
- Evan Roberts, Phreesia
- Aaron Levie, Box.net
- Dylan Smith, Box.net
- Claire Chambers, Journelle
- Vu Thai, Efficient Lighting
- Leanna Archer, Leanna's
- Bobby Kim, The Hundreds
- Ben Shenassafar, The Hundreds
- Rob Van Etten, Brighton Cromwell
- Julia Alkire, Family Creations
- Stephanie Goldman, Family Creations
- Matt Mullenweg, Automattic and WordPress
- Nick Friedman, College Hunks Hauling Junk
- Omar Soliman, College Hunks Hauling Junk
- Marc Lotenberg, 944 Media
- John Bicket, Meraki
- Sanjit Biswas, Meraki
- Alyssa Rapp, Bottlenotes
- Noah Lehmann-Haupt, Gotham
Dream Cars - Keith Nothacker, KHN Solutions
- Tina Wells, Buzz Marketing Group
- Rachel Hollis, Chic Events
- Rahim Fazal, Involver
- Noah Horton, Involver
Editors' note: All honorees were under the age of 30 at the time of selection.
