2026’s Top Young Entrepreneurs Shaping the Future of Manufacturing & Industry
In the rapidly evolving landscape of manufacturing and industry, young entrepreneurs are stepping forward with innovative solutions. The Forbes 2026 30 Under 30 Manufacturing & Industry list showcases individuals making significant impacts in various fields, from sustainable materials to smarter robotics.
Innovative Solutions from Emerging Leaders
These young visionaries focus on sustainability, efficiency, and recycling. Notably, Katherine Sizov founded Strella to combat food waste. Her technology employs AI to monitor produce supply chains. This initiative has saved over 40 million pounds of fruit from unnecessary spoilage.
Pioneering Material Innovations
- Soarce: Founded by Mason Mincey, Derek Saltzman, Matthew Jaeger, and Patrick Michel, this company transforms organic waste and seaweed into a nanocellulose material. This innovative material is eight times stronger than steel and is utilized in various industries, including mining and aerospace.
- Macrocycle: Stwart Peña Feliz’s startup creates new plastics from textile and plastic waste. His goal is to address the 5 million metric tons of plastic pollution entering oceans annually.
- Ouros Materials: Teresa Liu utilizes carbon dioxide to manufacture composite materials for affordable construction with enhanced durability.
- Reef Arches: Nicholas Bourdon’s company develops honeycomb barriers made from 70% sand, designed to protect coastlines from erosion and promote biodiversity.
Smart Robotics for a Safer Future
Young entrepreneurs are also deploying robotics to tackle infrastructure issues. Pave Robotics, co-founded by Mason Landon Smith and Josh Kelly, has developed robots that repair and assess roadway conditions, providing significant savings for cities.
- Continuum Infrastructure Solutions: Co-founded by Nooralhuda Saleh, this company forecasts asphalt cracking, ensuring better project outcomes.
- CRABI Robotics: At 23, Levi Gerhson has created robots to clean the hulls of merchant ships, contributing to operational efficiency in maritime logistics.
- Raise Robotics: Co-founders Gary Chen and Conley Oster provide contractors with robots that assist in lifting and drilling tasks, enhancing workplace safety.
- Sensory Robotics: Led by CTO Tristan Fogt, this company employs advanced sensors to improve human-robot interactions in factories.
- Cardinal Robots: Founded by Anand Lalwani, this startup produces autonomous cleaning robots that handle various cleanup tasks.
Assessing the Future of Manufacturing
The selection process for the Forbes 2026 30 Under 30 Manufacturing & Industry list involved thorough scrutiny. Candidates had to be under the age of 30 as of December 31, 2025, and never featured in prior 30 Under 30 lists in North America, Europe, or Asia. Expert judges evaluated the nominees, ensuring a diverse representation—27% women and 37% people of color among the finalists.
Sizov emphasizes the profitability of sustainable solutions, noting that Generation Z is driving this trend. From combating food waste to enhancing safety on factory floors, these entrepreneurs are setting the stage for a greener, more efficient future in manufacturing and industry.
The full list of the Forbes 2026 30 Under 30 Manufacturing & Industry can be found on Emegypt, highlighting the groundbreaking work of these young entrepreneurs.
