The Miami University alumni behind a fast-growing startup, the co-founder of a Mason-based health tech company and an investor with one of the city's most recognizable venture capital firms are among those featured on this year's Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
Selom Agbitor and Oliver Zak, the duo who launched tattoo aftercare company Mad Rabbit Tattoo in their Oxford apartment, were included in the retail and e-commerce category. Peeyush Shrivastava, co-founder of Genetesis, was featured in the health care category. Meanwhile, Alexis Alston, the first hire at Cincinnati's Lightship Capital, was included within the venture capital category.
Agbitor and Zak have been on a hot streak since launching their company in 2019. So far, Mad Rabbit has raised more than $7 million, with its backers including billionaire Mark Cuban, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs and Miami's student investment fund RedHawk Ventures. The company, whose products are designed to preserve and protect tattoos, is expected to top $16 million in 2022 revenue, according to Forbes.
Shrivastava co-founded Genetesis in 2013 and currently serves as its CEO. The Mason-based company's signature product, CardioFlux, allows for the quick assessment and diagnosis of various heart conditions. Genetesis ranks among the region's best-funded startups, closing a $17.5 million Series C this October. Like Mad Rabbit, it counts Cuban among its backers.
For her part, Alston has been with Lightship for four years and was promoted to principal in September. According to Forbes, she is the lead organizer of Black Tech Week, which Lightship acquired in March and moved to Cincinnati from Miami. She serves as the first point of contact for those hoping to land funds from the venture capital firm targeting overlooked founders.
Black Tech Week 2022
This isn't the first time Cincinnatians have been included on the annual Forbes list. Evan Rouse, Braxton Brewing Co.'s co-founder and chief innovation officer, was on the 2020 version of the list, while Rithvik Venna and Michael Markesbery, founders of outwear company Oros, were on the list in 2018.
In October, Forbes announced it will host its annual Under 30 Summit in Ohio over the next three years, starting with Cleveland in 2023. The four-day event will come to the Queen City in 2024.
