The next generation of great business leaders could be ones who currently call Pittsburgh home, according to Forbes' inaugural list of "Next 1000," which included two local startup founders as part of its third release of the list.
Forbes named Pack Up + Go founder-CEO Lillian Rafson as one of these individuals to watch. The 29-year-old founded her Pittsburgh-based company, a "surprise travel agency," in 2015. By completing a brief interest survey and establishing a desired budget, users then get to let Pack Up + Go manage the travel and lodging accommodations all while keeping the destination unknown until departure. Forbes noted it has sent travelers to 90+ U.S. destinations thus far.
The business publication also named 24-year-old Jackson Fitzgerald, the co-founder of Pittsburgh-based sports betting platform Hedge, as one of the distinguished people featured on the list. Fitzgerald's Hedge allows those who place bets on the platform to have their funds deposited into accounts via the spare change earned from rounding up transactions from a linked debit card account to the nearest dollar. So far, Forbes notes that the company has raised $350,000 in funding and expects revenue to top $500,000 by year's end.
To be considered for Forbes' list, which releases a new installment each quarter, nominees can submit their own application or have it submitted by someone else on their behalf. Either way, they must impress the likes of LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, among others who make up the list's judging panel to be considered for final placement
There are other factors as well; a founder must have been in business over the past year, their business must have posted at least $10 million in sales and their business is not allowed to have raised more than a Series A funding round. Forbes said it also looked at the total funding ownership stake in the business, the business model and the impact caused by each founder's business for consideration.
"Different than our 'counting' lists, such as billionaires or self-made women, which numerically chronicle those at the very top, or achievement lists like the Midas List or 30 Under 30, which reward immediate past results, the Next 1000 will seek and highlight doers on their way, overcoming any and all obstacles to get there," the list states. "These types of journeys tend to prove the most inspiring and, in finding them, we hope to elevate a new class of super-achievers."
You can see the full list here.
