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The notorious Forbes 30-under-30 list. Should it still be part of your PR strategy?

The notorious Forbes 30-under-30 list. Should it still be part of your PR strategy?

Another week, another Forbes 30-under-30 honoree caught up in scandal. This time, it’s fintech founder Gökçe Güven, who was charged with multiple counts of fraud last week. In fact, the Forbes 30-under-30 list has now become infamous for highlighting honorees who would once again be in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Some have even taken to calling it the “30-under-30 to prison pipeline.”


Other big ‘winners’ in this award-to-big-trouble category: last year, Matilda Djerf, the big time fashion entrepreneur, was accused of workplace bullying. That same year, tech entrepreneur Abraham Shafi, was charged with defrauding investors. And who can forget about Sam Bankman-Fried, and co-conspirator Caroline Ellison, who were convicted of one of the largest fraud cases of history in 2023 after appearing on the 30-under-30 list. 


We still recommend applying for these awards if your company seems to meet the criteria. But why?


Even though Forbes can get it wrong, there are still big winners who have earned a spot on the list. Owner.com’s founder Alan Guild earned himself a spot on the list, and has since raised money at a $1 billion valuation. Or Diagram founder Jordan Singer, who was able to sell his startup to Figma. And maybe you’ve heard of Edward Tian and Alexander Cui, who built GPTZero, an AI-detection software with millions of users. 


Forbes 30-under-30, and other industry rankings like the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 and the Inc 5000, give companies amazing exposure. Here’s why it should still be part of your PR strategy in 2026. 


Forbes 30-under-30 type awards still move the needle on sales  


The quick answer is: yes, 30-under-30 awards (whether with Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Business Insider, etc.) are still valuable for your business. 


Across industries, companies that win major business or leadership awards often see massive sales benefits:



In other words, awards and media hits act as trust signals. They won’t land you a deal on their own, but buyers, investors, and partners will all take you more seriously now that you have third-party credibility. 


Think of it like the Oscars. The Academy is far from perfect, and it routinely gets things wrong (I’m looking at you, Green Book). 


But when a film wins Best Picture, it doesn’t matter how flawed the voting process was. That movie is going to be talked about for years, and feature on Best Picture lists forever. From a PR perspective, that visibility still has real value.


That’s why we always advise our clients to feature awards and media placements prominently on their homepage, landing pages, and pitch materials. It instantly adds credibility to all of your messaging. 


How to find 30-under-30 awards that are worth your time and marketing budget


Is it overpriced? Not all 30-under-30-style awards are created equal, and cost alone isn’t the deciding factor.


Free doesn’t automatically mean useless. Forbes 30-under-30, for example, is free to enter through a nomination process. A few hundred dollars is common for niche or industry-specific awards, while mainstream business publications can charge up to $1,000. Here are some common industry awards and their pricing: 



Be extremely cautious of unknown organizations charging several thousand dollars for a single submission, especially if they promise exposure without explaining distribution, readership, or selection criteria.


Does the organization have a track record in your industry? Not all awards will give you the same credibility or business impact. The reputation of the organization behind the award matters as much as the award itself. 


When our adtech client’s CEO was featured on the Ad Age 40 under 40 list, his phone didn’t stop ringing for weeks. Every ad buyer wanted to use his new tech. And they instantly included the win in all of their outreach to clients. Getting that industry specific validation is much more valuable than appearing on a generic “Top 50 Startups” list from a publication that few in your industry recognize. 


The track record also shows how past winners have benefited. Forbes 30 Under 30 honorees often see media coverage and investor attention immediately after being named, even if some later face scandals. Inc. 5000 companies often use the award as a talking point in fundraising decks, which can help shorten fundraising cycles. Always research past winners: How did your industry respond to their win? This kind of insight can help you predict whether the award will truly move the needle for your brand. 


Can you tell your story? One of the biggest advantages of 30-under-30 awards is that they give you a platform to share your company’s story, not just your name on a list. Unlike some awards that simply add a logo to your website, Forbes 30-under-30 asks for a nomination essay, a description of your business model, your growth metrics, and your vision for your company’s future. 


Consider Alexandr Wang of Scale AI. He didn’t just appear on the Forbes 30 under 30 list with a one-line credit like “founder of an AI startup.” His profile highlighted that he had raised $4.7 million to build the “API of human intelligence," and had customers like Alphabet, P&G, and General Motors. It also positioned Scale AI as “going against an existing behemoth, Amazon,” and mentioned that their big differentiator is the quality of their data. The positioning worked, and Wang sold 49% of Scale AI to Meta for $14.3 billion in 2025. 


Forbes 30-under-30, and other similar awards from Deloitte or Inc, are more than just a name on a list. It’s a chance to tell the story of how your company is changing your industry and where it’s going next. It’s perfect content to use in social media posts, investor decks, and sales presentations, well after the list is published. 


Want to get your startup or CEO featured in 30-under-30 awards? Contact Mind Meld PR today.

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