The 7th annual Forbes’ 30 under 30 for the Middle East features the “up-and-coming trailblazers” in the Middle East – 20 of whom are Lebanese. The Forbes 2024 edition showcases 120 achievers from four different categories: Commerce and Finance, Science and Technology, Sports and Entertainment, and Social Impact.
There are 30 entrants in each category, but the largest number of participants (45) are in Trade and Finance, followed by Social Influence (42), Sports and Entertainment (34), and Science and Technology (32). Wael Arakji, Jad Al Fakhani, Cedric Zovighian, and Rayan Hayek are among the many names representing Lebanon.
Lebanese talent undeniably stood out among countless reviews and hundreds of submissions. Meet the 20 Lebanese ranked among Forbes Middle East’s 30 Under 30:
1. Wael Arakji
Arakji is an acclaimed Lebanese basketball player who has made a career out of playing for Al Riyadi Club. He has become a household name in the Lebanese sports sector after leading his team to victory in the first-ever Basketball Champions League Asia.
He helped them advance to the FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2024. The two-time MVP player has recently signed with Qatar’s Al Arabi Sports Club while campaigning for Nike and Red Bull in the MENA region.
The “Fearless” basketball player told 961 that he is “honored to be named in the Forbes 30 under 30 during challenging times for my country. This recognition is bittersweet as my heart is with those affected by the war.
I hope this serves as a reminder of our resilience and the potential within us to rise even amidst adversity.”
2. Jad Al Fakhani
Jad, commonly known as “Wolfofbey” on social media, is the founder of Beycom LLC., a company that is centered around e-commerce in the Middle East.
Beycom launches, acquires, and invests in online e-commerce businesses, including the Wolfofbey training program and the digital marketing agency Whiteberry Media. He is praised for his mentoring skills and expertise in E-commerce, business, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship.
Jad Al Fakhani told 961 that “being named on Forbes 30 Under 30 Middle East is a tremendous honor and a testament to the dedication and innovation I’ve poured into building an ecosystem around e-commerce through Beycom LLC in the region.
This recognition is the result of years of consistent effort, from launching my businesses and mentoring thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs to building their own and transforming their lives.”
When asked about what advice he would like to share with the Lebanese people, this is what he had to say: “My advice for future entrepreneurs is to focus on delivering real value. Long-term success comes from solving genuine problems and creating impact, not just chasing profit.
Stay focused on your vision, avoid distractions, and adapt when needed. Surround yourself with the right team and mentors to amplify your efforts. Above all, resilience is key—embrace challenges as opportunities to learn, grow, and innovate.”
3. Asmaa Jrad
Jrad has been selected into the Science and Technology category for her work in developing water filtration systems.
She was previously a postdoc at AUB and author of 11 articles in prestigious scholarly journals like JACS, Nature Communications, and Chem.
4. Kamil El Khoury
Among the pioneers in the Science and Technology section is Elie El Khoury, a postdoctoral associate at NYU Abu Dhabi.
El Khoury’s research is centered around engineering and bioprinting techniques. He aims to raise awareness about the need for transplantable organs in the modern medical system.
He is currently working on a provisional patent in the U.S. and a PCT application.
5. John Rachwan
Another environmentalist who secured a spot on the list is John Rachwan. He is the co-founder & CTO of Pruna AI, an optimization engine that specializes in compressing machine learning models, making them accessible and sustainable.
Pruna has recently raised 6.5 million in efforts to reshape AI systems.
6. Kevin Hani
Hani has so far co-founded two successful companies that have put him on the road to success. He is the previous co-founder of Trip and Tap, a travel app, and the current CPO and co-founder of ELEVEN22.
The company has revolutionized the real estate industry with its hyper-realistic digital twin technology and BIM visualizations. Kevin is currently working on a mobile application that caters to the GCC.
7. Cedric Zovighian, Marc Gharios, Ralph Gharios
In 2021, Zovighian and the Gharios brothers co-founded Tick’it, a software company that allows users to navigate the world of music, entertainment events, concerts, and shows.
In its first year, Tick’it managed to secure 60% of Lebanon’s music event listing market and physical points of sale through its collaborations with payment solution providers.
8. Chloe Kteily
International female DJ Chloe Kleity has proved herself as one of the most wanted and talented female DJs of our day. Known for her lively concerts across the MENA region, Kleity has also performed with renowned artists like Amr Diab and Tamer Hosny.
Her most celebrated performance was at Miss Lebanon 2024.
9. Rayan Hayek
The youngest among the participants on the list is Rayan Hayek, a Lebanese social media influencer who kickstarted his career as a host in 2020. Hayek is well known for his YouTube show ‘Baynetna”.
The show has gained massive popularity due to the emotional nature of the interviews conducted with major Arab celebrity personalities. A new daily show is in the works, and it is set to run simultaneously with “Baynetna” across Europe and other countries.
10. Jad Hamadeh
The founder and CEO of HD Smart Glass, Jad Hamadeh, has been awarded a place on the list in the category of Commerce and Finance. HD Smart Glass is a construction tech product in the form of glass or film, which enables its consumers to easily switch between opaque and clear facades.
HD Smart Glass is shaping up to become the world’s leading privacy solution for those looking for low-maintenance transparency control. Atlantis The Royal in Dubai, Paramount Hotel Dubai, and The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi are some of the prestigious hotels that have worked with HD Smart Glass.
11. Malek Gedeon, Tara Gedeon
The Gedeon siblings are the future of Gedeon & Co., a leading fashion agency that distributes and retails international fashion brands, including PUMA, Calvin Klein, and Tommy Hilfiger.
Malek and Tara Gedeon have vowed to continue their grandfather’s legacy in the fashion industry by representing premium brands and managing 200+ stores across Africa and the Middle East.
12. Yasmina Hayek
Yasmina Hayek is the executive head chef, co-owner, and head designer at Em Sherif Holding. Her responsibilities include menu creation and execution, culinary and creative direction, and content strategy training.
Em Sherif restaurants are favored among customers in the MENA region, Europe, and South America. Plans for expansion in Kuwait, the UAE, and other countries are yet underway. Yasmina has recently overseen the launch of Em Sherif in Monaco’s Hotel de Paris and Em Sherif Deli in Beirut.
13. Marina El Khawand
Category: Social Impact
At only 18 years old, Maria made an incredible social impact on the health sector by addressing the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. Maria El Khawand is the founder and president of Medonations, an NGO that has saved thousands of Lebanese lives.
Medonations was founded to provide medical assistance for those affected by the Beirut explosion in 2020.
So far, Maria’s foundation has succeeded in contributing to the healthcare system by funding surgeries and raising donations.
14. Omar Itani
Founded by Omar Itani in 2017, FabricAID is a social enterprise that aims to establish a socially and environmentally sustainable value chain in the apparel marketplace.
Through the collecting, sorting, and reselling of secondhand clothes, FabricAID has sold over a million items to marginalized communities, generating $1.4 million in revenues.
15. Sara Ghanem
DOODA is a female-owned earthworm farm that specializes in large-scale vermicompost production.
The owners, Sara and Nada, aim to provide products and services that enable their customers to successfully grow their crops and plants while improving the fertility of the soil.
16. Yasmine Darwish
Yasmina is yet another Lebanese woman who has been honored in the Social Impact Category. Darwich is the founder and CEO of DonaLeb, a platform that uses fitness challenges to promote health and well-being while also giving back to the community.
This revolutionary app allows its users to transform walking or running activities into donations for nonprofits. The app partnered with prominent health sector stakeholders to continue boosting employee engagement and social interaction.
17. Haytham Dbouk
Dbouk is the founder and CEO of Innovating Green Technology (IGT), a Lebanese enterprise that develops innovative green energy systems, improving energy efficiency, food, and water.
Haytham has earned a spot on the list for contributing to a greener future through automated green energy initiatives.
The remarkable achievements of the 14 Lebanese talents featured in Forbes Middle East’s 30 Under 30 list highlight the innovation, creativity, and resilience that define the Lebanese spirit.
According to the Forbes research team, each applicant was evaluated based on the following data: “funds raised, awards won, revenues achieved, the number of people influenced, the number of customers, and the number of followers on social media.”
Check last year’s list to read more stories that remind us of the importance of nurturing talent to drive progress and positively impact communities worldwide.
