Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe Class of 2025: Meet the Top 300 Young Leaders

Forbes has released the 2026 30 Under 30 Europe list, with the Sports & Games category highlighting individuals such as Ellie Kildunne and Eberechi Eze. The 2026 selections focus on how these figures are converting athletic and competitive success into commercial achievements across the European continent.

The 30 Under 30 Europe initiative identifies young entrepreneurs, leaders, and stars who are developing companies and innovations amidst a volatile global landscape. According to reporting from Forbes, these honorees are building their ventures while navigating a live war in Ukraine, global trade wars, and the rapid integration of generative AI, which is altering the established rules of capitalism, creativity, and professional work.

Innovation and AI Integration

A central theme among the recent classes of European honorees is the use of artificial intelligence to address complex industrial and medical challenges. In the 2025 class, which comprised 300 young leaders, Felicia von Reden, 29, was recognized as the cofounder of Ovom Care. The fertility clinic utilizes machine learning to reduce uncertainty in the IVF process by identifying the most viable sperm and eggs for patients.

The AI software developed by Ovom Care further assists medical professionals in determining the most effective medications and dosages tailored to the requirements of specific patients, aiming to streamline an emotional and invasive medical process.

The Consumer App and Gaming Market

The European gaming and consumer app sector has also seen significant growth through the efforts of young entrepreneurs. Fabian Kamberi, 25, was recognized in the 2025 class for his work with the gaming startup Slay. Kamberi’s company developed the game Pengu, an application that allows users to raise virtual penguins and engage in games with other players.

The Pengu app has attracted 10 million users and secured $20 million in investment from top-tier investors, including Harry Stebbings, Scooter Braun, and Accel. Regarding the impact of such ventures on the region, Kamberi stated, We’re helping re-establish Europe as a hub for consumer apps and games, showing that global-scale innovation can come from anywhere.

Beyond the metaverse and gaming, Slay developed an AI-powered social media platform called frfr (for real for real). This application enables users to send and receive anonymous voice messages that utilize the tone of various celebrities.

Regional Economic Context

The scale of the program was evident in April 2025, when the 30 Under 30 Europe Class of 2025 was announced, featuring 300 honorees steering the future of the region. These individuals were described as harnessing a moment of global uncertainty to build the next generation of great companies.

The current business climate in Europe is characterized by a need for resourcefulness, invention, and self-sufficiency. These traits have become essential as young leaders attempt to dominate the entertainment industry, reinvent retail, and revolutionize fertility care while managing the disruptions caused by the AI revolution.

The 2026 Sports & Games list continues this trend of identifying individuals who possess the ability to scale their personal success into broader commercial enterprises, reflecting a wider movement of European youth utilizing technology and strategic leadership to compete on a global scale.