Among the representatives are Kiyanusch Braun and Martin Joaquin Palana, who co-founded GoRocky in 2022 with the aim of reducing the stigma surrounding men’s health issues, including erectile dysfunction and hair loss.
The digital platform, which promises confidentiality and convenience, says it has connected more than 30,000 customers with licensed doctors and pharmacies.
Kiyanusch Braun (L) and Martin Joaquin Palana, cofounders of GoRocky. Photos via LinkedIn/kiyanusch-braun-33113b18b and joaquipalana |
In October, GoRocky raised US$2 million in a funding round led by Singapore-based Integra Partners and local venture capital firm Kaya Founders.
Forbes also featured Pauline Dizon and Adrian Jumangit, who founded Fan Connection SEA (FanConSEA), a fandom-based business that deals with merchandise licensing, bookings, and live events.
It started during the pandemic in 2020, when the two bet their savings on Southeast Asia as a key entertainment market.
Other entrepreneurs are Brandon Angelo Wong and Raphael Sevilla, co-founders of BayaniChain Tech, a company that develops blockchain systems for governments and businesses to strengthen transparency, protect data and help reduce corruption.
The company worked with the Department of Budget and Management, which became the first government agency in the Philippines to use blockchain technology to upload and verify key budget documents.
Steph Naval, a software engineer and psychologist-in-training, founded Empath, a social enterprise that provides online counseling, psychotherapy and psychiatric consultations to schools, workplaces and nonprofit organizations, after struggling with her own mental health as a teenager.
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Steph Naval (L), founder of Empath and Saje Miguel Molato, founder of Siklab. Photos via Instagram/_stephnaval and LinkedIn/saje-molato |
Inspired by the launch of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Saje Miguel Molato founded Siklab in 2016 to help young people become more globally competitive. The consulting firm works with government, nonprofit and private sector partners on education, skills development and climate programs.
Emmanuel Mirus Ponon’s platform AYAN encourages young people across 10 Southeast Asian countries to take part in policymaking, peacebuilding and sustainable development.
The organization has reached more than 350,000 young people and has elevated youth voices in forums including ASEAN, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, TEDx and the United Nations.
Overall, the 2026 list includes a diverse group of 30 Under 30 Asia honorees, with 18 countries and territories represented across the Asia-Pacific region.
India has the most entries with 78, followed by China with 46, Australia with 38 and Japan with 32. Indonesia, Singapore and South Korea each have 18. Women make up roughly a quarter of the listees, while the average age is 26.
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