Waterloo students and alumni named among Forbes 30 Under 30

With AI, manufacturing and green tech-focused companies, Waterloo-linked innovators are scaling businesses for global impact 

By Darren McAlmont

University Relations

University of Waterloo students and alumni are making a significant global impact through innovative ventures, earning spots on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in categories such as energy, education, food, AI, and manufacturing. Aida Mollaei, co-founder of Adaptis Technologies, has led her team in developing a carbon optimization platform that has reduced 145,000 tons of CO2 emissions and saved millions for clients. Holden Beggs and Jackson Mills founded The Zero Experience, a nonprofit teaching entrepreneurial skills to students, which has engaged 4,600 participants in addressing challenges like climate change. Jeffrey Chu transitioned from engineering to the culinary world, founding Yuugi Izakaya and other ventures in Toronto’s food scene. Dylan Conway and Jim Zhu co-founded Squint, creating AI-driven software to train new manufacturers, which has attracted major clients and $19 million in funding. Serena Ge and Charley Lee launched Datacurve, providing gamified solutions for training AI models, and joined Y Combinator for further growth. Vidyut Ghuwalewala co-founded Social Currant, a Gen Z-led platform connecting creators with mission-driven organizations, achieving $6 million in anticipated revenue for 2024. Other notable alumni include Myra Arshad and Avneet Ghotra, co-founders of Alt Tex, a biomaterials company transforming food waste into sustainable textiles. These ventures showcase the entrepreneurial spirit and global influence of the Waterloo community.

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