Six University of Notre Dame students and alumni have earned spots on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2025.
The annual list honors entrepreneurs, innovators and creators under the age of 30.
This year’s list includes seniors Zachary Brown and Liam Redmond. It also includes alumni Royce Branning, Kevin Mekulu, Krystal McLeod and Brandon Wimbush.
Brown and Redmond were recognized in the Youngest and Transportation & Mobility categories for co-founding Yelo. Yelo is a social ride network that helps students match for rides around town. The app launched in 2023 and generated $20,000 within its first month.
The Forbes 30 Under 30 recognition came as a surprise.
“It’s a validation of the work we’ve done so far and a reminder of the potential impact we can have,” Redmond said in a press release. “But for now, it’s heads down as we prepare for our expansion and the opportunity to bring Yelo to new campuses.”
Branning, a 2018 alumni, was included in the social media category alongside co-founder Oliver Hill. The pair launched the app Clearspace, recently valued at $20 million. Clearspace intercepts opens of social media apps and requires users to do something like breathing exercises or pushups to continue.
Mekulu, a 2018 alumni, was included in the health care category for his technology DementiAnalytics. The technology utilizes smart devices. It generates a cognitive assessment of a patient in under five minutes based on speech, eye tracking and vitals.
McLeod earned her degree from Notre Dame Law School in 2021. She was included in the education category for her work as director of New York University's Center on Violence and Recovery. Since joining the center, McLeod has raised $2.8 million.
Wimbush, former Notre Dame quarterback and 2018 alumni, was included in the sports category for his role in co-founding MOGL. MOGL is a marketplace that helps businesses connect with college athletes to form name, image and likeness marketing deals.
“We are deeply honored by Forbes's recognition of our exceptional alumni and students,” Karen Deak, interim executive director of the university’s IDEA Center, said. “This distinction highlights the vibrant innovation ecosystem we are cultivating at the university — where groundbreaking ideas not only flourish but also become products and services that make a difference in our world.”
