SINGAPORE - Thirty-two individuals in Singapore have been included in Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia - a list which highlights 300 young entrepreneurs and trailblazers in various fields under the age of 30.
The honourees were selected across 10 categories, including social impact, consumer technology, and healthcare and science.
Announcing the list on Tuesday (April 20), Forbes said that it features bright and innovative young leaders who have persevered and thrived despite global uncertainty amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Singapore is represented by 28 entries - co-founders of the same company are grouped together in one entry - its highest number of entries since the list's inception in 2016. It is the fourth-most represented country, after India, China and Japan.
Among the Singapore-based individuals who made the list is Ms Serene Cai, co-founder of digital health start-up Speedoc, which provides services such as booking of healthcare professionals and medicine deliveries.
The 28-year-old said: "The future of digital health is about things that are impossibly simple to use. For example, I can't wait for the day when toothbrushes that can monitor gum disease become affordable or toilets that can detect glucose in urine.
"We are waiting for technology and adoption to catch up so that (such devices) become affordable, accessible, and part of our everyday lives."
Other honourees include Mr Edward Yee, 26, co-founder of social enterprise fund GivFunds and Ms Oh Chu Xian, 27, co-founder of waste tech start-up Magorium.
Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia editor Rana Wehbe Watson said: "The individuals on this year's Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list have managed to survive, succeed and inspire others in the midst of business, social and personal challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic - a testament to their determination, fearlessness and hard work."
The men and women who made the list were selected from over 2,500 nominations and vetted by industry veterans. Criteria for honourees include their demonstration of leadership, how they embody the entrepreneurial spirit, and their potential success in their industry.
The Afghan Girls Robotic Team, which comprises five girls aged between 15 and 19, is among the honourees. The team was formed with help from New York-based non-profit Digital Citizen Fund in 2017, and developed a low-cost, lightweight ventilator to help patients diagnosed with Covid-19 in Afghanistan.
The release of the ventilator after final testing is expected to offset a shortage of ventilators in the country.
Other young people on the list include South Korean K-pop singer IU, Japanese rock climber Tomoa Narasaki, Chinese table tennis star Chen Meng and Mr Harshil Mathur, co-founder and CEO of online payments company RazorPay.
Notable Singaporeans who have made the list in previous years include Olympic gold medallist Joseph Schooling, Ninja Van chief executive Lai Chang Wen and photographer Charmaine Poh.
Note: This story has been updated as one of the previous honourees, Team Labs co-founder Harsh Dalal, has been removed from the list.
