🔴 BREAKING: Esther Rantzen: Remembering the life of a TV legend and campaigner ⚡️ 🔴 BREAKING: Burke High School: One injured in Omaha shooting ⚡️ 🔴 BREAKING: Flydubai flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after cockpit fight ⚡️ 🔴 BREAKING: Hurricane Polo: Massive storm threatens U.S. with trillions of gallons of rain ⚡️ 🔴 BREAKING: Puerto Rico: Two dead after boat capsizes during violent mid-sea fight ⚡️ 🔴 BREAKING: Dennis Haskins, iconic 'Saved by the Bell' principal, dies at 75 ⚡️ 🔴 BREAKING: Hurricane Polo: Southwest U.S. faces flash flood threat ⚡️ 🔴 BREAKING: Jonathan McKinsey: NYT tech executive killed in California shooting ⚡️ 🔴 BREAKING: Channel crossing tragedy: 3 dead as boat tragedy hits Wissant ⚡️ 🔴 BREAKING: Hurricane Polo: Mexico’s Pacific coast readies for a major hit • 🔴 BREAKING: Esther Rantzen: Remembering the life of a TV legend and campaigner ⚡️ 🔴 BREAKING: Burke High School: One injured in Omaha shooting ⚡️ 🔴 BREAKING: Flydubai flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after cockpit fight ⚡️ 🔴 BREAKING: Hurricane Polo: Massive storm threatens U.S. with trillions of gallons of rain ⚡️ 🔴 BREAKING: Puerto Rico: Two dead after boat capsizes during violent mid-sea fight ⚡️ 🔴 BREAKING: Dennis Haskins, iconic 'Saved by the Bell' principal, dies at 75 ⚡️ 🔴 BREAKING: Hurricane Polo: Southwest U.S. faces flash flood threat ⚡️ 🔴 BREAKING: Jonathan McKinsey: NYT tech executive killed in California shooting ⚡️ 🔴 BREAKING: Channel crossing tragedy: 3 dead as boat tragedy hits Wissant ⚡️ 🔴 BREAKING: Hurricane Polo: Mexico’s Pacific coast readies for a major hit
APPLICATIONS OPEN

THEGENZ
FOUNDERS
AWARDS 2026

Celebrating the best founders under 30 in the U.S. — the people building brands, apps and businesses while everyone else is still asking for permission. 10 categories. Free to enter.

Apply now Nominate a founder
46
days
07
hrs
17
min
17
sec

until applications close

10

categories

$0

to enter

Under 30

U.S. founders

Dec 2026

winners revealed

THE CATEGORIES

AI & Tech

Apps, AI tools, SaaS and hardware built by young founders.

E-Commerce & DTC

Online stores and direct-to-consumer brands.

Creator Economy

Creators who turned an audience into a real business.

Fashion & Beauty

Clothing, streetwear, beauty and skincare brands.

Food & Drinks

Restaurants, snacks, drinks and food trucks.

Finance & Crypto

Fintech, investing and web3 projects with real users.

Health & Wellness

Fitness, mental health and wellness companies.

Social Impact

Businesses and nonprofits changing their community.

Student Founder

Building a company while still in school or college.

Local Business

The shop, studio or service your neighborhood loves.

HOW IT WORKS

  1. 01

    Applications open

    Oct 1 – Nov 15, 2026

    Apply yourself or nominate a founder you know. Free to enter.

  2. 02

    Shortlist

    Nov 20, 2026

    Our editors pick the Top 10 in every category. Every shortlisted founder gets a profile page.

  3. 03

    Public vote · Round 1

    Nov 20 – Dec 4, 2026

    Anyone can vote once a day. The Top 3 per category go to the final.

  4. 04

    The Final

    Dec 7 – Dec 18, 2026

    Final vote (50%) plus our editorial jury (50%) decide the winners.

  5. 05

    Winners revealed

    Dec 21 – Dec 31, 2026

    One category a day on thegenz.news and @thegenz.news.

WHAT WINNERS GET

Winner feature

A full feature story about you and your company on thegenz.news — in English, German and Spanish.

Instagram spotlight

A dedicated post and Story on @thegenz.news, shared with our 8,000+ followers.

Winner badge

An official 2026 winner badge and graphics for your website, bio and pitch deck.

Gen Z Founders list

A permanent spot in the "Gen Z Founders 2026" list — finalists included.

FAQ

Full details: Official rules

READY TO BE SEEN?

It takes about 5 minutes. Tell us what you are building and why it matters.

Apply now Nominate someone