Pakistani trailblazers shine on Forbes '30 Under 30' list
Technology
Pakistanis making their mark globally
By Arooj Anmol
An international magazine, Forbes, annually unveils its "30 Under 30" list, spotlighting entrepreneurs and leaders who have achieved remarkable success in their respective fields.
The candidates are meticulously assessed by Forbes staff and a panel of independent expert judges, considering factors such as funding, revenue, social impact, scale, inventiveness, and potential.
Every year, notable Pakistanis are nominated for the Forbes "30 Under 30" list across categories ranging from science, social media, and technology to social impact.
Let's take a closer look at the exceptional candidates selected for this prestigious list.
Saad Amer
Among the notable individuals featured in Forbes' prestigious list is Saad Amer, the founder of Justice Environment, acknowledged for his role as a climate activist and significant collaborations with celebrities.
A Harvard graduate, Amer has gained acclaim as a stylish climate advocate, featured in publications like "Vogue" and "Women's Wear Daily."
Co-founding Plus1Vote, a platform dedicated to mobilizing youth for climate change and social justice, Amer has collaborated with prominent figures such as Bella Hadid, Taylor Swift, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Currently leading Justice Environment, a sustainability and ESG strategy consultancy, Amer has served as an expert reviewer for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and provided consultation for the United Nations.
Sikander Sonny Khan
In the tech sector, Forbes has spotlighted Sikander Sonny Khan, a 25-year-old Product Marketing Manager for Search + AI at Microsoft.
Khan is credited with developing and executing marketing strategies that propelled Microsoft's AI-powered search engine, Bing, to 100 million daily active users.
As a side project, Khan founded the Paani Project, a social enterprise addressing water scarcity in Pakistan, securing $5 million in funds and constructing over 15,000 wells that benefit more than 1 million women and children.
Zaeem Shahid
Another standout on the list is 28-year-old Zaeem Shahid, the co-founder of SnackMagic. Recognizing the need for meaningful employee recognition during the Covid-19 pandemic, Shahid created a customizable snack service platform allowing employers to express gratitude through personalized snack boxes.
With over 700 lesser-known, local snack and beverage brands available, SnackMagic has attracted more than 2 million customers across 100 countries, reporting $30 million in revenue in 2022.
Backed by over $25 million in funding from Craft Ventures and others, Shahid anticipates reaching $33 million in revenue this year.
