The Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list for 2022 recognizes the achievements of six Irish businesses and entrepreneurs who have made innovative contributions to their respective fields. The list showcases individuals under the age of 30 who are driving innovation and change, with an average age of 27. Collectively, the list has a social media following of 92 million and has raised a total of $3 billion in investment capital.
Notable among the Irish entrepreneurs is Gráinne Mullins, founder of Grá Chocolates, which achieved significant success during the pandemic, generating $1 million in revenue last year.
Dan Hobbs and Ciarán O’Mara, co-founders of Protex AI, secured $18 million for their computer vision-based employee safety risk detection system.
Aisling Byrne, founder of Nuw, an eco-conscious fashion exchange app, raised $2 million in venture capital.
Ochre Bio, a healthcare start-up focusing on RNA therapies for liver disease, obtained $40 million in investor funding.
Additionally, Ruth Williams, Senior VP of Blockchain & Digital Assets at BNY Mellon, and Liam MacMahon, co-founder of Beyond Creative, were recognized for their contributions in the finance and sports sectors, respectively.
Featured Irish Businesses
Among the Irish businesses and entrepreneurs featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list, Grá Chocolates, Protex AI, Nuw app, Ochre Bio, Beyond Creative, and BNY Mellon’s European Blockchain Engineering team have been recognized for their innovative contributions in various fields.
Grá Chocolates, founded by Gráinne Mullins, experienced significant success during the pandemic, generating $1 million in revenue last year.
Co-founders Dan Hobbs and Ciarán O’Mara of Protex AI raised $18 million for their computer vision technology that detects and predicts risks to employee safety.
Aisling Byrne’s Nuw app, an eco-conscious fashion exchange platform, garnered 68,000 downloads and secured $2 million in venture capital.
Ochre Bio, a healthcare start-up, obtained $40 million in investor funding for their work on new RNA therapies for liver disease.
Liam MacMahon co-founded Beyond Creative, which utilizes the Fortnite Creative platform to create games for brands, and has collaborated with notable entities such as the NFL and Chipotle.
Lastly, Ruth Williams is Senior VP of Blockchain & Digital Assets at BNY Mellon, where she is spearheading the establishment of the first European Blockchain Engineering team.
Achievements and Impact
The individuals featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list have made notable contributions in their respective fields, with achievements that include:
- Generating significant revenue: Gráinne Mullins, founder of Grá Chocolates, successfully launched her business during the pandemic and generated $1 million in revenue last year.
- Raising substantial investment capital: Dan Hobbs and Ciarán O’Mara, co-founders of Protex AI, raised $18 million to expand their computer vision technology that detects and predicts risks to employee safety.
- Developing innovative technologies and solutions: Aisling Byrne, founder of Nuw, an eco-conscious fashion exchange app, raised $2 million in venture capital and has seen her app downloaded 68,000 times. Ochre Bio, a healthcare start-up, secured $40 million in investor funding to develop new RNA therapies for liver disease.
- Making strides in blockchain and digital assets: Ruth Williams, Senior VP of Blockchain & Digital Assets at BNY Mellon, is building the first European Blockchain Engineering team.
- Creating impactful content and experiences: Liam MacMahon, co-founder of Beyond Creative, has worked with notable brands using the Fortnite Creative platform to create games.
These achievements highlight the impact and innovation of these Irish entrepreneurs.
Upcoming Trends
One notable trend emerging among the individuals featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list is their ability to secure significant investment capital for their ventures. This trend demonstrates the confidence and interest that investors have in the innovative ideas and potential growth of these Irish entrepreneurs.
The total investment capital raised by the list is an impressive $3 billion, indicating the strong financial support these individuals have garnered. This influx of capital not only provides the necessary resources for these ventures to scale and expand but also reflects the recognition of their potential for success.
It highlights the importance of financial backing in driving innovation and change in various fields. The ability to secure such substantial investment capital showcases the entrepreneurial skills and business acumen possessed by these young individuals, further solidifying their position as key players in their respective industries.
