The UrbanGeekz 50 List 2025

UrbanGeekz has officially published its third annual UrbanGeekz 50: Gamechangers in Tech, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship List—highlighting leaders building the products, platforms, and movements shaping today’s innovation economy.

Drawing on our body of work—and informed by input from independent industry leaders—we have curated a standout group of changemakers across multiple industries. Using a distinct set of data points, we assessed each honoree’s reach, impact, and influence.

This year’s UrbanGeekz 50 includes several exceptional leaders whose influence extends well beyond their respective sectors. Rodney Williams, Kathryn Finney, Abel Mengistu, Timnit Gebru, and Vanessa Rissetto are just some of the trailblazers featured on this year’s list.

As always, the list is curated into ten distinct verticals that primarily—but not exclusively—spotlight technology. The categories are: Software; Venture Capital; FinTech; AI & Machine Learning; Digital Media; Food, Climate & Health; Business-to-Consumer; Community Builders & Ecosystem Warriors; Africa; and Canada.

This year, we switched out Europe with Canada after an insightful conversation with a U.S.-based ecosystem leader who reflected on the dynamic emerging tech hub right next door. That’s why we’re highlighting Toronto-based trailblazer Claudette McGowan, CEO of Protexxa. She is one of the most successful VC-backed female founders in North America—driving critical conversations around digital trust, cyber resilience, and enterprise innovation.

A few more leaders I’m especially excited to recognize:

Mercedes Bent is a standout investor. As a venture partner at Lightspeed, she continues to play a defining role in venture capital, backing early-stage founders building the next generation of consumer and fintech companies.

Also recognized this year is Ashley Allison. Under her umbrella company, Watering Hole Media, she recently acquired The Root, returning the iconic media brand to Black ownership for the first time in years.

We also opted to honor TK Peterson, co-founder of The Gathering Spot, a private members club at the intersection of culture, community, and connections. TK and his Georgetown University pal, Ryan Wilson (an inaugural UG50 honoree), launched TGS back in 2016 and have co-built the brand into what it is today. Wilson is often the more visible face of the company, but TK’s recognition is a nod to the co-founders whose impact runs deep—even when they’re less public-facing. TGS’s success is a textbook example of co-founders with complementary strengths—and a real commitment to having each other’s backs.

Representing the next generation of Gen Z founders is Nathaneo Johnson, a computer science junior at Yale University and CEO of Series.  Johnson and his co-founder, Sean Hargrow, raised a whopping $3 million in pre-seed funding in just 14 days for their AI social network. Young, ambitious, and unapologetically bold, the dynamic duo (now Forbes 30 Under 30 honorees) is a case study in marketing genius: building momentum and generating buzz around their platform.

And closer to home, Justin E. Samuels is a leading “culture + tech” convener in Atlanta, best known for building RenderATL into a fast-growing conference with national draw. Samuels, who also doubles up as a Mailchimp techie, has grown RenderATL into a cornerstone of Atlanta Tech Week.

Finally, Tosin Eniolorunda, co-founder and CEO of Moniepoint Inc., is one of Africa’s most influential fintech leaders. Under his leadership, the unicorn powers digital payments and banking infrastructure for millions of businesses, playing a pivotal role in expanding financial inclusion and modernizing commerce across Nigeria and beyond.

big thank you to my editorial and development team for bringing this project to life. And special thanks to Ollen Douglas, Managing Partner at Lightship Anchor Fund, who once again served as an invaluable sounding board and lead industry expert among our advisors.

EXPLORE THE FULL URBANGEEKZ 50 2025 LIST BELOW.

UrbanGeekz 50 list curated by Kunbi Tinuoye
Founder & CEO, UrbanGeekz
With input from independent industry leaders