Forbes Under 30 Summit coming to Ohio for 3 years

Posted by: Laura DeMarco on Wednesday, October 5, 2022

The next generation of leaders and changemakers will soon be in the spotlight in Ohio. At an event at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum on Wednesday, Forbes announced that it is bringing the Under 30 Summit to Ohio for the next three years. And, it’s starting in Cleveland.

The Summit, which has celebrated more than 10,000 young business owners, activists, scientists and entertainers who are using their entrepreneurial ingenuity to define a way forward that’s better for us all, will be in Cleveland in 2023, Cincinnati in 2024 and Columbus in 2025.

Forbes CEO Mike Federle opened the Rock Hall event.

Forbes CEO Mike Federle.

“Under 30 started as a list and became a global phenomenon. We have had it in Boston and Philadelphia and Detroit. We have mayors and presidents of countries asking it to bring it to them next.

“When we choose where the Summit is going, we look for a few key things: breadth of industry, educational institutions, diversity and a base of young talent and the next wave of leadership. We look at a number of locations every year. After our due diligence, we have made the decision to bring the Under 30 Summit to Ohio for the next three years.”

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb.

Other speakers and panelists celebrating the news Wednesday included Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, Sherry Phillips, Chief Marketing Officer, Forbes; Randall Lane, Chief Content Officer, Forbes; Max Brickman, Founder, Heartland Ventures; Baiju Shah, President & CEO, Greater Cleveland Partnership; and Bill Koehler, CEO, TeamNEO.

JP Nauseef, President and Chief Executive Officer of JobsOhio, who led the effort to bring the Summit to Ohio in partnership with GCP, Destination Cleveland, the City, JumpStart and TeamNEO, moderated the event.

“Forbes chose Ohio for its iconic Under 30 Summits because of recent, significant economic momentum we and our partners have recently built in the state,” he said. “The strong relationship developed between JobsOhio and Forbes over the last several months will highlight Ohio’s value proposition as a preferred location for business and top talent both nationally and globally.”

In addition to the Summit, there will be themed meet-up events around key topics such as sustainability, education, supply chain and other issues throughout the year.

GCP CEO and President Baiju Shah.

“The Forbes summit and platform will provide a spotlight on Cleveland’s innovators and our dynamic city,” said GCP President and CEO Baiju R. Shah. “It continues to help change the perceptions of Cleveland, especially for the next-generations, millennials and Gen-Z. We are pleased to work with all in bringing this to the Land.”

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb began his remarks with a welcome to The Land. “This is a big deal for the city and state,” he said. “And it hits me on a personal level. When ‘Forbes’ talks about diversity, it’s real.”

He cited his friend and Cleveland native Brandon Bryant, of Harlem Capital Ventures, who was featured on the 2019 Forbes 30 under 30 list (as well as the 2019 Inc. 30 under 30 list, and the 2018 Ebony Power 100 list).

Being on the list took Harlem Capital “to a whole other level,” said Bibb. “That’s why this list is so important.”

Bryant agrees. Being on the list can be transformative for an individual and city, he said in an email earlier this week.

“Forbes U30 is one of the biggest accolades that a young person can have. Whether they’re in business, an entertainer, a poet or an athlete, making the Forbes Under 30 list is validation that is your calling card to open doors.

“As the national trend towards recharging and reimaging cities around the country accelerates, Cleveland will be at the forefront, and Forbes will be a catalyst to showcase what Cleveland can do. Cleveland is a place for talent and investment to thrive.”