Christchurch innovators named in Forbes 30 under 30 Asia list

Six University of Canterbury alumni have been recognised in the 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list, highlighting Christchurch’s growing reputation as a centre for innovation and entrepreneurship.

The annual list celebrates 300 leaders aged under 30 across 10 industries in the Asia-Pacific region. This year more than half of the 11 New Zealanders featured have direct ties to Ōtautahi Christchurch and its start-up ecosystem.

Meet Ben & William

Ben Scales and William Murrell were named in the Industry, Manufacturing & Energy category for their work with KiwiFibre, a Christchurch-based company using harakeke (New Zealand flax) to develop sustainable composite materials. Their products are already in use in industries including sports and motorsport. KiwiFibre has raised nearly $5 million from investors such as Icehouse Ventures and Phase One Ventures.

Scales credits the local start-up community with playing a significant role in the company’s development.

“Christchurch is small, so it's really collaborative. And I think because it started that way, as the ecosystem and the city grow, the values stick around too.”

The company emerged through local start-up support programmes, including the University of Canterbury Summer Startup Programme, Lincoln University’s Food, Fibre and Agritech initiative, and Ministry of Awesome.

More recognition for Christchurch start-ups

Also featured in the same category is Jonathan Ring, co-founder of Zincovery, another Christchurch start-up focused on industrial sustainability. The company, founded in 2021, recovers zinc from waste using a hydrogen-based process that significantly reduces emissions. Zincovery has raised $15 million in capital.

AI and legal tech ventures born in Ōtautahi

Christchurch-based Lucy Turner and Luke Campbell were recognised in the Artificial Intelligence category for founding VXT, an AI-powered phone system for professional services. Initially developed as a voicemail transcription tool, VXT now offers automated call summaries and integrations for law firms, recruiters, and accountants. The business began at the University of Canterbury and was supported by the Entre start-up challenge. It has since raised $2.5 million at a $45 million valuation, including investment from Silicon Valley’s Alpine VC.

In the social impact category, Keegan Jones was recognised for his work founding the Free Legal Clinics Project, a charitable trust offering free, Māori-focused legal services. The initiative has expanded to four clinics across the country, including one in Christchurch. Jones has also advised the Ministry of Māori Development and was a semi-finalist for the University of Canterbury’s Young New Zealander of the Year award.

Global innovation hub

Ali Adams, CEO of ChristchurchNZ, says the recognition reflects the region’s ability to foster globally relevant innovation.

“This incredible recognition speaks to the depth of talent, collaboration and ambition here in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Our city has become a proving ground for founders who are tackling global challenges with local ingenuity. These young innovators are not only growing successful businesses — they’re shaping a sustainable future from right here in our region,” Adams says.

Adams says growing the economy in ways that are good for business, people, and the planet is at the heart of the city’s Economic Ambition.

It’s a sentiment also echoed by KiwiFibre’s Ben Scales:

“KiwiFibre is addressing a massive global problem, and we are proving that innovation does not necessarily need to be cooked up in a university lab over 15 to 20 years. The ingredients are already here; we just need to put them together the right way. A lot of the time, the answers are already around us.”