A number of Irish entrepreneurs, creatives and innovators have been named on the latest Forbes 30 Under 30 list, with talent spanning industries from artificial intelligence and finance to acting and beauty.
Each year, Forbes compiles the prestigious list by sourcing candidates through thousands of public nominations, alongside recommendations from industry experts and previous honourees. Candidates are then assessed on factors including funding, revenue, scale, social impact, inventiveness and long-term potential, with all entrants required to be aged 29 or younger as of December 31, 2025.
Among this year’s Irish names is Éanna Hardwicke, who continues to establish himself as one of the country’s most exciting acting talents. The Cork-born star built on his award-winning turn in the BBC’s The Sixth Commandment with a BAFTA nomination, before going on to win his second Irish Academy Award in 2026 for portraying Roy Keane in Saipan.
Since breaking out in Normal People in 2020, he has moved between screen and stage, including performances at the National Theatre.
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In the business world, Áine Kennedy has turned a modest $12,000 house deposit into a global beauty brand. She founded The Smooth Company from her bedroom in 2022, using TikTok to generate over 150 million organic views.
Her hair products are now stocked in 92 countries, including major retailers such as Brown Thomas, H&M and De Bijenkorf, while she has also picked up major accolades including the Future Leader award at the Irish Times Business Awards.
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Financial educator Áine Murphy has built a major online following through her platform Young Irish Budgeter, which aims to tackle the gender wealth gap.
With over 250,000 Instagram followers and 23,000 on TikTok, her content simplifies topics like investing and credit, while her tools have already helped more than 2,500 users manage their finances. Her upcoming financial literacy platform has also attracted 2,000 people to its waiting list.
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Rising acting star Hazel Doupe also makes the list, following a string of acclaimed performances across film and television.
She won an IFTA for her role as Marian Price in Say Nothing and previously earned nominations for You Are Not My Mother. She is also set to appear in the upcoming Apple TV+ series The Wanted Man alongside Hugh Laurie and Thandiwe Newton.
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Entrepreneur Laura Murphy is recognised for founding Oatco, a fast-growing food brand launched in 2024. The company, which focuses on oat-based products like Super Bites and Overnight Oats, has already reached more than 250,000 consumers, secured over 800 stockists, and generated upwards of $930,000 in revenue in 2025.
It has also partnered with major names including Tesco, Aldi and Google’s European headquarters.
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In fintech, Jack Cregan has built Paymend, a Dublin-based platform designed to recover failed card payments.
In 2025, the company recouped $53 million in lost transactions with a team of just 25 people operating across six countries. Cregan previously co-founded Rebills, which was acquired for $10 million in 2024.
Science and innovation are represented by Donnacha Fitzgerald, whose company Origenity is using AI to revolutionise engineering biology.
His work focuses on designing cells with specific traits, including developing tougher T-cells that resist exhaustion in cancer treatments.
Backed by major investors, the company is currently finalising a $3 million funding round, with Fitzgerald stating: “The goal is to make engineering in biology more like design.”
Billy O’Hora has also made the list, becoming the youngest-ever director of partnerships at the ATP Tour.
He oversees $100 million in annual partnership revenue across 58 tournaments in 29 markets, working with brands including Emirates, Rolex, Lacoste and Stella Artois.
His work applying data science to sponsorship strategy has already led to increased deal values and improved pricing consistency.
Social impact leader Aghogho Okpara is recognised for founding Achieve with Aghogho, an organisation supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds.
After being rejected from medical school five times, she went on to build a platform that has reached over 5,000 young people across 45 countries, while also launching Ireland’s first student empowerment conference in 2025.
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Rounding out the Irish cohort is Rachel Beatty, whose groundbreaking work in medical technology could transform the future of implants.
Collaborating with researchers at MIT, she has developed a first-of-its-kind implant capable of detecting immune responses and adapting in real time — a major step forward in improving the longevity of devices such as insulin pumps.
Together, the ten names highlight the breadth of Irish talent on the global stage — from Hollywood and high-growth startups to cutting-edge science and social change — underlining the country’s growing influence across multiple industries.
