Forbes announced today the recipients for its 2022 30 Under 30 list, cataloguing hundreds of Gen Z and millennials shaping the world through business and culture. This year’s class featured a number of CPG entrepreneurs currently working to make their mark on the industry.
Among the honorees in the Food and Drink category was Kayla Castaneda, 29, the co-founder of this year’s New Beverage Showdown 21 winner Agua Bonita. Forbes highlighted Castaneda’s heritage as a descendant of migrant farm laborers and a former Coca-Cola manager, noting that the agua fresca maker “has shaped her business in the image of her heritage.”
Also in the beverage sector were Paul Voge and Madeleine Voge (both 27), the husband and wife co-founders of sparkling water brand Aura Bora, which is now available in over 2,500 retailers nationwide. Other honorees included Laura Katz, 29, founder of infant formula startup Helaina; Anika Sawni, 25, co-founder of non-alc wine and beer brand Gruvi; and Ignacio Montenegro, 29, co-founder of craft brewery Tripping Animals Brewing.
Packaged food leaders were also well represented on the list. Among the listed innovators within the retail food space were Brittany Charlton, 26, founder of Ohh! Foods; Miram Cruz, 29, co-founder of women’s health food brand Agni; David Habib, 29, founder of Yo Mama’s Foods; Joe Johnson, 29, co-founder of VADE Nutrition; Kyle Lee, 29, founder of Alaskan Salmon Company; and Nick Hamburger and Zack Shreier (both 23), the co-founders of egg white chip brand Quevos.
As with previous iterations, this year’s 30 Under 30 list featured entrepreneurs largely focused on disrupting established categories with better-for-you and functional products. Within beverages, founders making low-sugar carbonated drinks (Agua Bonita, Aura Bora) were recognized. Meanwhile the food honorees are largely providing healthier takes on traditional snacks (VADE, Quevos) as well as new approaches to distribution (Alaskan Salmon Company) and health, including Agni, which makes foods to support women’s needs including reducing period cramping and aiding in menopause or postpartum recovery.
Innovators in ingredients, supply and foodtech were also recognized by Forbes. Caroline Cotto, 29, co-founder of Renewal Mill — a company producing upcycled ingredients for plant-based food and drinks — and Sam Norton, 28, founder of seawater farm Heron Farms were both named.
Previous 30 Under 30 winners, whose businesses have continued to thrive, were also highlighted as “All-Star Alumni.” Jim, Jordan and Jake DeCiccol, the founders of Super Coffee and 2019 30 Under 30 recipients, were recognized for doubling the valuation of the brand to $500 million this year.
However, food and drink entrepreneurs were also found outside of their own category. Maricel Saenz, 29, founder of “coffee without coffee” food-tech startup Compound Foods; James Kanoff and Aidan Reilly (both 23), co-founders of The Farmlink Project; and Jack Griffin, 23, founder of food pantry tracker FoodFinder were honored within the Social Impact category. JustCBD founder Hussein Rakine, 26, and Adam Olehniczak, 28, co-founder of distributor Buffalo Market were listed within the Retail & Ecommerce category.