Top 30 Under 30 in Manufacturing 2026: Young Innovators Shaping the Future
The 2026 El-Balad 30 Under 30 in Manufacturing features a remarkable group of young innovators. These entrepreneurs are focused on creating sustainable solutions across various industries. This year’s list highlights their efforts in robotics, agriculture, climate technology, and more.
Innovative Solutions from Young Leaders
Among the standout innovators is Katherine Sizov, whose company Strella addresses food waste using artificial intelligence. Strella’s technology monitors produce supply chains, reducing waste significantly. Sizov’s efforts have successfully saved over 40 million pounds of fruit from rotting.
The co-founders of Soarce, Mason Mincey, Derek Saltzman, Matthew Jaeger, and Patrick Michel, have developed a groundbreaking nanocellulose material. This new building material, made from organic waste and seaweed, is eight times stronger than steel. It’s now being utilized in industries such as mining, automotive, and aerospace.
Efforts to tackle plastic waste are represented by Stwart Peña Feliz, whose company Macrocycle transforms textile and plastic waste into new resins. This initiative aims to mitigate the more than 5 million metric tons of plastic entering oceans annually.
Addressing Environmental Challenges
Another innovative project comes from Teresa Liu, who founded Ouros Materials. Liu uses carbon dioxide to create ultra-tough composite materials, aimed at enhancing affordable construction options.
Coastal resilience is the focus for Nicholas Bourdon, founder of Reef Arches. His design utilizes 70% sand to create honeycomb barriers, effectively protecting coastlines from storms and encouraging biodiversity.
Advanced Robotics in Infrastructure
In the realm of infrastructure, Mason Landon Smith and Josh Kelly co-founded Pave Robotics. They developed a robot that both repairs and assesses road conditions—significantly saving municipalities time and money.
Nooralhuda Saleh and her team at Continuum Infrastructure Solutions have advanced forecast models to prevent asphalt cracking. Their methods optimize project recommendations based on specific locations.
Younger innovators are also making waves in robotics with Levi Gerhson’s CRABI Robotics. At just 23, Gerhson has designed tetherless robots that keep merchant ships clean.
Enhancing Safety and Efficiency in Workplaces
- Raise Robotics, co-founded by Gary Chen and Conley Oster, focuses on enhancing contractor efficiency.
- Sensory Robotics, led by Tristan Fogt, uses 3D algorithms to improve safety within factories.
- Anand Lalwani’s Cardinal Robots produces autonomous cleaners to handle demanding tasks.
Celebrating Diversity and Innovation
This year’s El-Balad list features 27% women and 37% individuals of color, all of whom are founders or co-founders. These young leaders are addressing the manufacturing industry’s toughest challenges.
Katherine Sizov emphasizes the profitability of sustainable solutions, stating, “I think a lot of sustainable solutions are profitable… and Gen Z has gotten that.”
The 2026 El-Balad 30 Under 30 Manufacturing list was curated by a team of expert judges and reporters, ensuring a diverse group of innovators is recognized for their contributions.
