Latest news with #ForbesUnder30
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Love Is Blind Kieran Holmes-Darby's journey from gaming millionaire to reality TV star
Netflix's reality dating show Love Is Blind UK has returned for a second series on the streaming giant, with a cast of singles including self-confessed 'geek' Kieran Holmes-Darby hoping to find love in the pods. The popular dating show Love Is Blind UK is back for its second season, with a fresh batch of 30 hopeful singles looking to find love, sight unseen. The first string of episodes was released on Netflix on Wednesday, August 13, and is now available to watch. Hosts Matt and Emma Willis returned at the helm of the series, which sees singletons popping the question before they have even clapped eyes on their future partner. In a trusting concept, they rely entirely on a soul connection. They communicate in separate pods, aiming to form a deeper connection, before finally coming face-to-face with who they hope will be their life partner. This year's cast boasts a Scots nanny and make-up artist, 31-year-old Katisha Atkinson from Dumfries. However, one participant with a particularly interesting backstory is Forbes Under 30 honouree Kieran Holmes-Darby. Let's take a closer look at his million pound gaming business and journey to the reality sphere. Which gaming company did Kieran establish? At the tender age of 19, Kieran and his brother Joel Holmes-Darby launched UK esports firm Excel, now estimated to be worth millions according to the Mirror, back in 2014. The entrepreneur, now 28, has previously shared how they would spend hours gaming together remotely from their university at opposite ends of the country before deciding to create their own esports squad. Excel gained recognition for its formidable teams across popular games such as League of Legends and Fortnite, with its players competing globally. The team even featured in the BBC gaming documentary, Fight for First: Excel Esports, which aired in January 2021. Kieran told South West Londoner at the time: "It's so very exciting; it's a nice bit of recognition and I'm really happy. "I have lots of people - from school, distant relatives, people from university - messaging me to say congratulations and it's really great. "Gaming has always been a big part of our lives and we're quite competitive people by nature. It's been quite the journey from the dorm room to where we are now, but a really exciting one." Is Kieran Holmes-Darby a member of Mensa? According to Netflix's Tudum, 'secret geek' Kieran is a member of Mensa and is no stranger to achievement. At just 25, Kieran also secured a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for establishing UK esports on the global stage. To gain membership of Mensa, candidates must show an IQ within the top two per cent, either by completing their monitored examination or providing previous evidence. What does Kieran Holmes-Darby do now? In 2023, Excel combined with Spanish organisation Giants Gaming, establishing the GIANTX brand, which remains a major force in Esports. Kieran departed the organisation after the merger and has since taken on the role of Manager for the League of Legends squad Los Ratones, owned by former Excel player Marc Robert 'Caedrel' Lamont. The businessman also joined sports and gaming-focused creative agency Ear to the Ground as their Business Director. Kieran Holmes-Darby's Love Is Blind journey According to Netflix's Tudum, Kieran had been single for 18 months when they began filming Love Is Blind UK series two. Described by his pals and relatives as "the golden boy", Kieran was previously in a seven-year relationship, but is now prepared to discover romance in the pods with his potential bride. He has made it to the final five couples, alongside dance teacher Megan Jupp. Will Kieran discover what he's searching for? Viewers will have to wait for upcoming episodes to see if things pan out for the couple, which will land later this month on August 20.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Love Is Blind UK's Kieran is Mensa member who founded company worth millions at 19
Love Is Blind UK is welcoming back a fresh batch of singles for season 2, and one contestant with a particularly impressive resume is Kieran Holmes-Darby. Popular dating show Love Is Blind UK has returned for season 2, with a new group of contestants hoping to find love on the Netflix hit with a unique premise. Celebrity couple Matt and Emma Willis have returned to host the series, which sees singles propose to one another before they have ever laid eyes on their future partner. Instead, they speak in separate pods in the hope of connecting on a deeper level, before finally meeting their fiancés in person. This year's line-up includes a professional musician, a cafe owner and even a member of the armed forces. One cast member with a particularly interesting backstory, however, is Forbes Under 30 honorary Kieran Holmes-Darby. Which gaming company did Kieran Holmes-Darby found? At the age of 19, Kieran and his brother Joel Holmes-Darby co-founded UK esports company Excel back in 2014. The entrepreneur, now 28, has previously discussed how they would spend hours gaming with each other remotely from their university dorm rooms at opposite ends of the country before deciding to set up their own esports team. Excel became known for its strong teams across popular games like League of Legends and Fortnite, with its players competing internationally. The team even starred in the BBC gaming documentary, Fight for First: Excel Esports, which aired in January 2021. Kieran told South West Londoner at the time: 'It's so very exciting; it's a nice bit of recognition and I'm really happy. 'I have lots of people — from school, distant relatives, people from university — messaging me to say congratulations and it's really great. 'Gaming has always been a big part of our lives and we're quite competitive people by nature. It's been quite the journey from the dorm room to where we are now, but a really exciting one.' Is Kieran Holmes-Darby a member of Mensa? According to Netflix's Tudum, 'secret geek' Kieran is a member of Mensa and is no stranger to success. At the age of just 25, Kieran was also made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for putting UK esports on the map. To qualify for membership of Mensa, you must demonstrate an IQ in the top two percent, either through taking our supervised test or submitting prior evidence. What does Kieran Holmes-Darby do now? In 2023, Excel merged with Spanish organisation Giants Gaming, creating the GIANTX brand, which continues to be a large presence in Esports. Kieran left the organisation following the merger and has since become Manager of the League of Legends team Los Ratones, which is owned by former Excel player Marc Robert 'Caedrel' Lamont. The entrepreneur also joined sports and gaming-focused creative agency Ear to the Ground as their Business Director. What is Kieran Holmes-Darby's plan for Love Is Blind? According to Netflix's Tudum, Kieran had been single for 18 months when they started filming Love Is Blind UK season 2. Described by his friends and family as 'the golden boy', Kieran was previously in a relationship for seven years, but is now ready to find lasting love in the pods with his future wife. Will Kieran find what he's looking for? We'll just have to wait and see. Love Is Blind UK season 2, episodes 1-4 are now available to stream on Netflix.
Newsweek
23-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Curated, Affordable Private Flights Appealing to Experience-forward Gen Z
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Flyblack has a very modern tech startup story. Its success today as one of the country's leading private aviation companies can be traced back a decade to when CEO Sami Belbase started the company out of a WeWork with a phone and an idea. "Within a year, we had over 30 brokers working under our roof, many of them twice my age and from Wall Street. From an office in the heart of SoHo to speaking at Forbes Under 30 and hosting charity events on Richard Branson's island, the journey has been anything but typical," Belbase told Newsweek. What also makes Flyblack unique is its approach to private aviation. Belbase saw major inefficiencies in the business model and looked to change that with Flyback. "I saw a huge gap: traditional private aviation was stuck in the past. Manual bookings, inaccessible pricing, and a system that left thousands of jets flying empty every day. Flyblack was built to re-engineer that system - to create a digital-first platform that finally makes flying private more efficient, sustainable, and accessible to a broader market," he said. Typically, when a customer wanted to book a private jet, they would have to call a broker and schedule a trip. Yet, if they wanted to book a yacht, villa or top-tier travel experience, they could use an app that worked like a concierge service. Flyblack App displayed on an iPhone. Flyblack App displayed on an iPhone. Flyblack "That disconnect drove us to build a platform that matched today's digital expectations. Launching our Shuttle by-the-seat flights and One Way Deals was game-changing — finally offering curated, affordable private flight options for high-spending Millennials and Gen Z who value experiences over ownership," Belbase explained. Flyblack has access to 3,000 private aircraft worldwide, with the ability to use technology to fill seats rather than require clients to rent an entire aircraft for use. The company's Shuttle service can cost as little as a first-class ticket would on a commercial flight, but without the hassle of having to experience the surroundings of a commercial airport. Its One Way Deals option helps to sell seats on planes that would otherwise be deadheaded to their next destination. Members can book flights from months in advance to same-day travel. If there's a seat, you can book and fly within 15 minutes, about the same style of operation as a traditional commercial flight. Artificial intelligence (AI) helps the company operate. "We use AI and data modeling to predict demand around events, seasons, and trends. We have compiled years of big data focused around private jet flights and corresponding demand and fulfillment. From Coachella to Aspen ski season, we can pre-position jets and crews ahead of time. Operators also benefit. Our tools help them reduce waste and boost fleet efficiency. It's luxury powered by tech- smarter for flyers, and better for business," the CEO said. Flyblack sells seats on six different types of planes: turboprop, entry-level, light, mid-size, super mid-size and heavy. When browsing flight options, the type of plane you're booking (for example, a Citation X or Learjet 45XR) is shown prior to committing to the booking. The company is the new kid on the block, but Flyblack is seeing quick success. In the first few weeks of 2025, the Flyblack app, "had thousands of downloads and hundreds of applications within weeks, all before our public release. Our sold-out shuttles to events like St. Barths and Coachella validated that we were solving a real problem: people wanted private flight access without the full buy-in," Belbase said. Those users are tech-savvy and after luxe experiences that go beyond traditional travel, a trend that extends to yachts, villas and on-the-ground cultural immersions. "Younger travelers aren't just looking for exclusivity, they want smart luxury, value-driven experiences, and sustainability baked in. Flyblack hits all those notes. They're not booking just for status; they're booking because we offer shared jet seats to Aspen with Erewhon catering and caviar-topped In-N-Out burgers - a vibe they actually relate to," he said. "This is the next evolution of status travel: access without ownership, community without compromise. And with memberships unlocking flights at up to 75 percent off standard pricing, it becomes more about lifestyle alignment than a show of wealth." Flyblack first launched in Los Angeles and has a waitlist that is "already thousands deep." Next, the company plans to expand to New York and South Florida, followed by Europe in 2026. A private plane that is part of the Flyblack fleet. A private plane that is part of the Flyblack fleet. Flyblack "We're demand-driven, if enough members want a new route, we can launch and test new routes. We listen to our audience, and this will always give us insight on growth opportunities. Our vision is clear: give members the ability to fly major routes without ever entering a commercial terminal," the CEO said. What comes after that? "Ultimately, we will launch the world's first full-fledged, private jet airline," he divulged.
CNBC
29-05-2025
- Business
- CNBC
How 'mistakes' helped Hailey Bieber turn Rhode into a $1 billion skincare brand
Less than three years after its launch, Hailey Bieber's skincare brand Rhode is being acquired for $1 billion. It's a massive windfall for the 28-year-old founder, and one that she says was only possible because of her willingness to make mistakes while building her business. Indeed, Bieber explained in a 2022 appearance at the Forbes Under 30 summit that she started Rhode with the understanding that things wouldn't always go smoothly. "Be prepared for the mishaps and be prepared to make mistakes," she said. "It's OK for that to happen, and you can learn from it. It will help you to drive your brand forward." In the case of Rhode, one early problem arose when Bieber was choosing the color of the packaging of her products. Though she selected a particular shade, she didn't realize that in the production process the carton could come out slightly lighter or darker than intended. "The cartons the product came in were not the color that I exactly wanted them to be, and I was very sad about it," she explained. "In hindsight, it was actually really not a big deal and was just something that I had to learn was part of the process and that we can fix moving forward in the future." Bieber, who called herself "a crazy perfectionist," said she needed to learn to "accept the fact that there is no such thing as a perfect launch." "What I'm learning is that mistakes are really part of the process and you have to accept those mistakes," she said, adding: "I think our mistakes actually help make us better as people when we choose to learn from them. And I think when you have a brand, it helps you create an even better brand." Bieber's willingness to embrace mistakes is straight out of billionaire Warren Buffett's playbook. In his annual letter to shareholders this year, the Oracle of Omaha said he learned a valuable lesson from the late Charlie Munger about how to approach mistakes. Rather than try to cover them up or pretend they didn't happen, Buffett said Munger taught him that mistakes should be promptly recognized and corrected. "The cardinal sin is delaying the correction of mistakes or what Charlie Munger called 'thumb-sucking,'" Buffett wrote. "Problems, he would tell me, cannot be wished away. They require action, however uncomfortable that may be." Mistakes, like bad investments, are what Buffett said makes success all the more exciting. "If you played golf and you hit a hole-in-one on every hole, nobody would play golf, it's no fun," Buffet said in 2019. "You've got to hit a few in the rough and then get out of the rough. That makes it interesting." ,
Forbes
29-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Forbes 2025 Under 30 Summit To Be Held In Columbus, Ohio Featuring 3-Time Olympic Medalist Suni Lee, Vivek Ramaswamy And More
Forbes COLUMBUS - May 29, 2025 – Today, Forbes hosted a special press event to officially announce the 2025 Forbes Under 30 Summit, in partnership with JobsOhio, and to unveil the Forbes 30 Under 30 Local Columbus List. The 2025 Under 30 Summit, taking place in Columbus from September 28-October 1, 2025, will convene the world's top young leaders, founders and creators for four days of connecting, learning, teaching and building. 'We're bringing it home to the capital of Ohio for the 2025 Forbes Under 30 Summit, our third and biggest year yet in the state as we spotlight the entrepreneurial momentum building in the Columbus area,' said Steven Bertoni, Assistant Managing Editor at Forbes. 'With a vibrant sense of community and innovation, we're proud to spotlight the city of Columbus' brightest entrepreneurs and game-changers leading the way in their industries.' Confirmed speakers for the 2025 Forbes Under 30 Summit include: ……. With additional names being announced soon. The event will kick off on Sunday, September 28, with Forbes' signature Under 30 Summit concert, with performances to be announced soon. Attendees will hear from A-list speakers, access exclusive networking opportunities, participate in industry focused excursions and experiences across Columbus, and join in on a day of giving back to the Columbus community. 'This Summit is more than a moment,' said Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. 'It's a reflection of what is possible in a place like Columbus, where partnership powers progress, inclusion fuels innovation, and tomorrow's leaders are already making moves today.' Today's press conference convened 30 Under 30 Local Columbus list makers, key city and state officials and partners. Ohio State University football safety Caleb Downs, who was recently named to the 30 Under 30 Local Columbus list, spoke in a fireside chat with Forbes' Steve Bertoni about his selection to the Under 30 list and his connection to the great state of Ohio. The first-ever 30 Under 30 Local Columbus list, which launched today, spotlights young entrepreneurs in cities across the local Columbus region. This year's 30 Under 30 Columbus list includes OSU Buckeyes football safety Caleb Downs, National Champion OSU football players Emeka Egbuka and William Howard, former OSU Women's Basketball Player Cotie McMahon, Olympic Medal-winning swimmer Hunter Armstrong and many more. "Columbus has a vibrant and growing entrepreneur and business community that continues to thrive,' said J.P. Nauseef, President & CEO of JobsOhio. 'This year's Forbes 30 Under 30 Local List showcases a wide range of the incredible talent that draws so many young people to Columbus. We look forward to welcoming them and the thousands of attendees later this fall." To curate the list, Forbes worked closely with local industry leaders for their expert recommendations. Candidates were then thoroughly vetted by Forbes and a panel of independent, expert judges on a variety of factors including by not limited to funding, revenue, social impact, scale, inventiveness and potential. Those who appear on the final 30 Under 30 Local List are still eligible for future Forbes lists, including the Forbes 30 Under 30 U.S. list. For the 30 Under 30 Local Columbus List and more, visit: here For additional information or to attend the Forbes Under 30 Summit in September, visit: Forbes Under 30 Summit. To join the conversation on social, follow #Under30Summit. JobsOhio is the Presenting Sponsor for the 2025 Under 30 Summit. Pratt Industries is the Supporting Sponsor. Media Contacts: Laura Brusca: lbrusca@ Feryal Nawaz: fnawaz@
