Best young entrepreneurs in 2021 revealed: fighting climate change is driving UK Gen Z founders

On a mission to support the growing number of young talented entrepreneurs, Wise, a global technology company building the best way to move money around the world, has identified the 20 most promising young founders across Europe, as part of its annual 20 Under 20 competition. For the first time in the history of the competition, the overall win went to Sweden.

Rocco Huesch, who founded Fair, an eco-investments platform, wants to prove that investments can be made in a way that doesn’t harm the earth. Their plan is to unlock the power of retail money to change the world, by helping to channel it into companies and initiatives that tackle the climate crisis and other ESG issues.

His fellow finalist Leo Djunbushian presented his business Sandsettlers, building self-sufficient housing in desert areas. He is dedicated to providing solutions to climate change, and supporting people through climate catastrophes.

The third UK finalist, Olatunde Odu, presented his baking business, Bobby’s Bakes. From baking a cake for his mum’s birthday, to supplying local bakeries with his creations, and shipping his bakes nationwide, his business has gone from strength to strength.

The winning founders showcase a range of exciting businesses, from tackling issues in the education sector with study support platforms to empowering youngsters starting their adult life via working and travelling programmes. A growing year on year trend is thinking green and building solutions for a sustainable future, from constructing self-sufficient housing for people in desert areas to producing cruelty-free makeup and sustainable fashion. Next to using Artificial Intelligence and cutting-edge tech tools, young entrepreneurs are bringing joy to everyday life with custom-made exquisite cakes and locally produced flavoured honey.

This year’s cohort of the 20 most promising young entrepreneurs aged 16-19 was chosen by a world-class panel of investors and business experts such as Wise co-founder Taavet Hinrikus, Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Group, Roxanne Varza from Paris’s startup hub Station F, MEP Ondřej Kovařík and Dr Patricia Scanlon, founder and CEO of Soapbox Labs.

Nominated as the best young entrepreneurs in 2021 are Ida Johansson (Founder of Turn Consulting, which uses AI to revolutionize gen Z recruitment) and Oliver Edholm (Founder of Depict.ai, an AI-powered e-commerce tool) from Sweden, who won a whopping £25,000 prize money to take their business to the next level.

In addition, 20 Under 20 awards the most promising founders in the following three categories: EdTech (Vagif Aliyev, for Snapstudy), GreenTech (Leo Djunbushian, for SandSettlers), and Social enterprise (Rocco Huesch, for Fair) with a total of £5,000 self-development budget.

Prizes for all of the 20 talented founders include £1 million worth of fee-free transfers with Wise Business to expand their companies across borders, expert mentoring from world leading entrepreneurs, investors and experts, as well as networking with fellow finalists and judges.

Wise co-founder and 20 Under 20 Chairman Taavet Hinrikus said: “The determination and creativity of young entrepreneurs is astounding and this year’s winners of our 20 Under 20 competition prove that yet again. Growing a business globally is no small feat and it can be tough for young CEOs to find the right people to lean on. To help the bright young talent on their journey of scaling up, we are offering them practical mentoring sessions, as well as creating an international network of like-minded innovators – a strong supporting network is one of the most valuable assets of entrepreneurial life. I’m truly excited about what lies ahead for all of our 20 finalists.”

Leo Djunbushian said: “20 Under 20 is not just a competition, but a motivation accelerator.”

Rocco Huesch said: “The 20 Under 20 competition has been a fantastic experience – the application was fun, the mentorship and guidance has been very useful (as you’d expect from the line-up Wise assembled), and I’m really excited to build relationships with the other finalists”

Olatunde Odu said: ”I’m grateful to have been around such amazing young entrepreneurs and to have heard their stories”

This year’s judges:

1. Taavet Hinrikus, co-founder of Wise and Chairman of 20 Under 20
2. Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group
3. Paola Bonomo, Non-executive Director, advisor, and business angel
4. Ondřej Kovařík, Member of the European Parliament
5. Dr Patricia Scanlon, Founder and Executive Chair of SoapBox Labs
6. Verena Pausder, Founder, Author, Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum
7. Roxanne Varza, Director of Station F, co-founder of StarHer and Tech.eu
8. Rikke Rosenlund, Founder and CEO of BorrowMyDoggy

Class of 2021

Top 20, in alphabetical order

• Alejandro Sanchez Leon, Unigow
  Online platform connecting high school and university students
• Anita Algus, Konnekt
  Mobile card wallet for students
• Arianna Pozzi, Gaia my friend
  AI-powered fashion and styling advice
• Dercin Ercelebi, Lurch
  Peer-based affordable language learning platform
• Hanna Siamionava, Youth Reality
  Careers advice tool for young people
• Hannane Chouf, Yourpark
  Car parking solutions
• Ida Johannson, Turn Consulting
  Recruitment platform using AI and machine learning
• Jules Toebosch, Collé Group
  Sustainable fashion company
• Leo Djunbushian, Sandsettlers
  Self-sufficient housing for people living in desert areas
• Mariama Balde, Pretty Little Glow
  Cruelty-free non-sticky lip glosses
• Matthieu Pallud, Mogy Services
  Babysitting platform for students
• Neil Heinisch, Playthehype
  Gen Z marketing agency
• Oliver Edholm, Depict.ai
  Product recommendation engine for e-commerce shops
• Olatunde Odu, Bobby’s Bakes
  Creating customised cakes and bakes
• Paloma Lier, Azart
  Transforming used denim jackets into unique pieces of art
• Paul-Erwan Cleach
  Social network connecting music lovers and musicians
• Rasmus Susi, Meemehed
  Producing flavoured honey
• Robert Davitt, Hebe Adventures
  “Airbnb of student travel”
• Rocco Huesch, Fair
  Connecting doing good and investing
• Vagif Aliyev, Snapstudy
  AI-powered study aid