Forbes Under 30 listers coach UC student entrepreneurs at 1819

As the 2024 Forbes Under 30 Summit wrapped up in downtown Cincinnati, eight listers from years past headed to 1819. While in the building, they toured its innovative spaces and connected with talented UC student entrepreneurs.

Forbes’ Under 30 listers came to the 1819 Innovation Hub to teach current UC students how they, too, could find career success. As one of America’s largest and most forward-thinking universities, UC is filled with promising young talent ready to impact the world.

Twenty-three UC student entrepreneurs networked with Forbes’ top innovation winners during the speed dating-style event. Each startup founder received five minutes with each lister, giving them just enough time to gain insights on how they could successfully grow their businesses.

The Forbes Under 30 listers who came to UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub included:

• Zachary Beller: Cincinnati-based co-founder and chief technology officer of Vixiv, a startup developing artificial intelligence-enabled 3D printing software.
• Jack Bennet: London, England-based founder of Coddies, a creative footwear company that’s had its products worn by Diplo, Dua Lipa, Heidi Klum and Doja Cat.
• Jackson Block: New York, New York-based co-founder and CEO of LGBT+ VC, a nonprofit focused on offering venture capital to members of the LGBT community.
• Yevheniia Broshevan: Lisbon, Portugal-based co-founder and chief business development officer of Hacken, a Ukrainian-founded cybersecurity firm working to secure blockchain transactions.
• Chase Crawford: Cincinnati-based comedian and founder of Four by Three Productions.
• Vijay Gill: London, England-based producer at Warner Bros. Games who worked on Fable and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.
• Stanislav Horbachevskyi: Warsaw, Poland-based CEO of Drive Force, which provides premium transportation services within Ukraine.
• Gem O’Reilly: London, England-based award-winning journalist for BBC Africa.

The UC students enjoyed connecting with Forbes’ list of awardees and learning about the pathways to prominence as young adults.

“Networking with the Forbes listers was inspiring as I learned about the hardships they faced during their crucible moments,” attendee Atharv Shete said. “Their experiences inspired me to adopt a new way of thinking.”

While the 1819 Innovation Hub fills with talented and passionate workers every day, the presence of Forbes listers from around the world was notable. The rise of the Cincinnati Innovation District and the Queen City’s prestige as the Center for the Silicon Heartland have driven global recognition.

UC students pursue what’s next every day, so it’d be no surprise to see a few on the Forbes Under 30 list in the coming years. With promising startups, an innovative UC education and 1819’s supportive entrepreneurial environment, anything is possible for today’s Bearcat founders.

Featured image at top: Forbes listers and UC students at the networking event. Photo/Alex Dudash