Forbes Taps Ohio For Under 30 Summits

Events to take place in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus over the next 3 years

By Terry Troy

The best and brightest of the Under 30 crowd will convene in Ohio over the next three years. Forbes has announced that it will hold its flagship, annual Under 30 Summit in Ohio through 2025, a move that recognizes the state’s impressive community of entrepreneurs and innovators.

Forbes made the announcement last week at a press conference at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Speakers at the event included Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb. In addition to Forbes executives Mike Federle, CEO, Sherry Phillips, Chief Marketing Officer and Randall Lane, Chief Content Officer, notable speakers included: JP Nauseef of president and CEO of JobsOhio; Baiju Shah, president and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP), and Bill Koehler, CEO of Team NEO.

Presented by JobsOhio, the summit will take place in three different Ohio cities over the next three years – starting in Cleveland in 2023, followed by Cincinnati and Columbus. The Summit will bring together young, diverse leaders across industries to collaborate, network, learn and exchange ideas.

“The 2023 Summit will bring together the best young minds across industries, venture capitalism, public policy and more,” said Lane. “Our goal with the next Under 30 Summit is to help spotlight Ohio’s talented workforce and ample opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors. We’re confident that Ohio’s entrepreneurial spirit will be felt on the world’s main stage.”

Ohio stands at the forefront of America’s Renaissance of technology, infrastructure, and industrial manufacturing, supporting a new generation of electric vehicles to cutting-edge computer chips, and building on their rich history of innovation and entrepreneurship. Ohio is attracting, retaining, and expanding business and talent across the state, such as Intel’s recent decision to invest $20 billion in two new semiconductor chip factories that will create tens of thousands of jobs. With the help of JobsOhio as a partner for the state and the businesses coming to the state, those seeking innovation, economic growth and an enhanced quality of life are finding their home in Ohio.

“Talented Ohioans and their ideas have been drivers of our state and national economy,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. Vivien McClain Photography.

“Forbes’ Under 30 Summits will provide an opportunity to spotlight our one-of-a-kind creativity and collaboration here in Ohio while welcoming some of the nation’s brightest young talent to our state.”

J.P. Nauseef

“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,” said Nauseef. “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.”

“Forbes Under 30 has become a recognizable imprint of success, often marked by innovation and ultimately impact,” said Jessica Sibley, Chief Operating Officer of Forbes. “The Under 30 network around the world exemplifies Forbes’ unique ability to drive engagement – and action – with communities that matter. We look forward to partnering with JobsOhio on the Forbes Under 30 Summit which will recognize and celebrate the region’s entrepreneurial success.”

The 2022 Under 30 Summit, presented by, concluded last week, was the final Summit to take place in the Motor City. Detroit is a talent center ripe with innovation, giving rise to technology that will define tomorrow’s industries. For years, Detroit has been a hotbed of creativity and entrepreneurship, and served as an ideal host city for Forbes’ Under 30 Summits. The final Summit in the city featured a private concert with Kygo and Blu DeTiger, A-list speakers including Hailey Bieber and the CEO of Etsy, Josh Silverman, exclusive networking opportunities, industry-focused excursions, local culinary experiences, a legendary bar crawl, a powerful day of community service and more.