Forbes Under 30 Summit showcases Cincinnati’s entrepreneurial spirit
America’s brightest minds gathered in the Queen City to reimagine the future together
It’s not every day that the Forbes Under 30 Summit lands in your hometown, but Cincinnati experienced exactly that from Sept. 22-25.
Many of America’s brightest minds arrived in the Queen City to discover its entrepreneurial spirit and learn from eminent business leaders.
Forbes’ choice of Cincinnati to host its Under 30 Summit is a testament to the region’s economic vitality and its flourishing arts, entertainment and startup scenes. From Over-the-Rhine’s transformation into one of America’s leading urban districts to the rise of UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub and the Center for the Silicon Heartland, there was plenty in Cincinnati to catch Forbes’ eye.
A convergence of young talent
According to Forbes, the Under 30 Summit attracts “the world’s top young leaders, founders and creators” and offers them “a life-changing four days of connecting, learning, teaching and building.” This year’s event, presented by JobsOhio, gave these high-performing individuals the chance to attend engaging sessions such as:
- Developing a Brand That Gen Z Will Love
- How To Build and Sell a Hundred-Million-Dollar Startup
- Turning Millions of Followers Into Millions in Sales
- Turning Youth Into a Competitive Advantage
- Unlocking Financial Freedom
Sessions were tailored toward the needs of young and entrepreneurial Americans, offering them tips for making the Forbes Under 30 list themselves.
It’s often said that the best way to become successful is by surrounding yourself with other successful individuals, and if so, this event delivered. Featured speakers included the following:
- Big Sean, Grammy-nominated artist and entrepreneur
- Drew Afualo, podcaster and New York Times bestselling author
- Bobbi Althoff, comedian and podcaster
- Joe Buck, “Monday Night Football” commentator at ESPN
- Ken Chenault, former chairman and CEO of American Express
- Ken Frazier, former chairman and CEO of Merck
- Rupi Kaur, poet and artist
- Metro Boomin, producer, DJ and artist
Apart from sessions, attendees enjoyed a concert featuring Shaboozey, pickleball at night, a city crawl in Over-the-Rhine, a block party and a day of service.
A beacon for young talent
Forbes Under 30 Summit sign in front of the Cincinnati skyline. Photo/Anna Resing
Cincinnati played a significant role in the Forbes Under 30 Summit, with the city’s startup strength and impressive arts and entertainment scenes prominently showcased. Attendees from across the United States — and in some cases, worldwide — were treated to the Queen City’s unique blend of Midwestern charm and affordability plus world-class amenities.
Long before Forbes cast light on Cincinnati, the city broke down Rust Belt stereotypes. Every day, 53,000 talented students craft what’s next at the University of Cincinnati and carry their inventive ideas to businesses at the 1819 Innovation Hub in the Cincinnati Innovation District.
Corporate behemoths such as Procter & Gamble, Kroger, Fifth Third Bank and Western & Southern Financial Group — all of which are headquartered in Cincinnati — flock to 1819 to pioneer advances in the technology, marketing and business realms.
As the Forbes Under 30 Summit wraps up, it’s fair to wonder how many attendees will walk away craving the low costs, buzzing startup culture and collaborative environment in Cincinnati. Perhaps some will see their futures in Cincinnati as well, taking their young talents to the Queen City and planting roots in the Center for the Silicon Heartland.
Featured image at top: Attendees at a concert during the Forbes Under 30 Summit. Photo/Alex Dudash
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