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Forbes has unveiled its 30 Under 30 Asia 2026 list, recognising 300 young changemakers, entrepreneurs, and creatives from across the Asia-Pacific region
Now in its 11th edition, the annual list highlights outstanding individuals under the age of 30 across 10 categories, ranging from retail and social impact to art and marketing.
This year's list features honourees from 18 countries and territories, with India leading with 78 entries, followed by China (46), Australia (38), and Japan (32).
Among the 300 names are six Malaysians who have made their mark across industries such as fashion, technology, creative arts, marketing, and social advocacy.
Here are the Malaysians featured in the list:
1 & 2. Amy Tai and Esther Tai (Retail & E-commerce)
Sisters Amy and Esther Tai founded Malaysian footwear brand Machino in 2020 during the pandemic after noticing a common problem faced by many women — stylish shoes that are uncomfortable to wear.
Working with their uncle, who owns a shoe factory, they developed footwear that combines comfort with fashion while incorporating Asian cultural elements such as batik, songket, and saree lace into their designs.
Today, Machino operates both online and through physical stores in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. In 2025, the brand was also selected for Endeavor Malaysia's Scale Up Cohort 6 startup programme.
2. Carin Gan (Social Media, Marketing & Advertising)
Carin Gan is the cofounder of CoffeeSpace, a startup matching app that Forbes described as a "Tinder for startups", aimed at helping users find cofounders and early hires.
Launched in San Francisco in 2024, the app reportedly recorded over 25,000 users, two million swipes, and 50,000 matches, with around 40% of users based in Asia.
Gan previously worked as a software engineer at Meta and is a graduate of the Wharton School. CoffeeSpace has also raised USD1 million (approximately RM4.1 million) from angel investors.
3. Daniel Woodroof (Social Media, Marketing & Advertising)
Daniel Woodroof is the cofounder and CEO of Kuala Lumpur-based digital marketing agency Pandan Social, which was established in 2018.
The agency was acquired by global communications consultancy Ruder Finn in 2023, although Woodroof continues to lead the company.
Before entering the marketing industry, he was a professional racing driver and television host for channels including Discovery Asia and Fox Sports. He is also director of the Stratos Motorsports racing team and Stratos Racing School.
4. Vanissa Foo (The Arts)
Kuala Lumpur-based graphic designer and illustrator Vanissa Foo founded creative studio Humana, named after a character she created while studying in college.
Known for her colourful and maximalist style, Foo has received several accolades, including a Golden Pin Design Award in 2023 and an ADC Young Gun award in 2026.
Her work has attracted collaborations with brands such as Nike, Uniqlo, and Casetify, while her zines and collectables have been showcased at fairs in Malaysia, Singapore, and Japan.
6. Allison Choong (Social Impact)
Allison Choong is the co-author and illustrator of Safiya Speaks Up!, a children's book that teaches girls how to recognise inappropriate touching and seek help from trusted adults.
Together with its accompanying mentor guide, the project has reportedly reached more than 10,000 girls worldwide and has been translated into Malay, Tagalog, and Swahili.
Choong and her co-authors were selected for She's the First's Girl Activist Fellowship in 2023. She was also named a Canon Young Champion in 2025 and is currently pursuing a double major in criminology and sociology at Drexel University in Philadelphia, US.
