Forbes 2025 list of the richest self-made billionaires under 40 highlights 71 young entrepreneurs with a combined wealth of $218 billion. Edwin Chen leads the ranking with $18 billion, driven by the artificial intelligence boom. Among Indians, Nikhil Kamath stands out as the only India-based name in the top 20, with a net worth of $3.3 billion. The list reflects the growing dominance of technology and AI in global wealth creation.
Forbes Richest Under 40 2025: AI Boom Dominates List
- According to Forbes richest under 40 2025 rankings, Edwin Chen tops the list with an estimated net worth of $18 billion.
- He founded Surge AI in 2020, helping companies label and organize data for AI training.
- The AI sector has produced nearly half of the new entrants this year.
- In total, 27 new self-made billionaires under 40 joined the list since March 2025.
- Technology and AI are clearly the biggest wealth drivers among young entrepreneurs.
Nikhil Kamath Net Worth: Only India-Based Name in Top 20
- Nikhil Kamath ranks 20th globally with a net worth of $3.3 billion.
- He co-founded Zerodha in 2010 along with his brother Nithin Kamath.
- Zerodha became one of India’s largest stock brokerage firms, revolutionising retail trading in India.
- Nikhil Kamath net worth makes him the only India-based name in the top 20 richest under 40.
- His success highlights India’s growing fintech ecosystem and startup innovation.
Here Top 10 List
| Rank | Name | Age | Net Worth (USD) | Country | Source |
| 1 | Edwin Chen | 38 | $18B | United States | Artificial intelligence |
| 2 | Wang Ning & family | 38 | $15.7B | China | Toys |
| 3 | Patrick Collison | 37 | $10.1B | Ireland | Payment Software |
| 4 | John Collison | 35 | $10.1B | Ireland | Payment Software |
| 5 | Justin Sun | 35 | $8.5B | St. Kitts and Nevis | Cryptocurrency |
| 6 | Cliff Obrecht | 39 | $7.6B | Australia | Software |
| 7 | Melanie Perkins | 38 | $7.6B | Australia | Software |
| 8 | Vlad Tenev | 38 | $6.6B | United States | Stock Trading App |
| 9 | Cai Haoyu | 38 | $6B | China | Mobile games |
| 10 | Timur Turlov | 38 | $5.9B | Kazakhstan | Stock brokerage |
Other Top Self-Made Billionaires Under 40
The Forbes richest under 40 2025 list includes several notable global entrepreneurs,
- Wang Ning – $15.7 billion (China, Toys)
- Patrick Collison – $10.1 billion (Ireland, Payments)
- John Collison – $10.1 billion (Ireland, Payments)
- Justin Sun – $8.5 billion (Cryptocurrency)
Americans dominate the list with 32 names, followed by China with eight and India with six. Eight women also feature among the 71 young billionaires.
Wealth Trends Among Young Billionaires 2025
Forbes counts 71 self-made billionaires aged 39 or younger as of December 2025. Their combined wealth is $218 billion, lower than the $444 billion recorded in 2021 during the pandemic-driven market boom.
Key trends,
- 48 billionaires built wealth in technology
- 12 in finance and investments
- AI-driven startups are major contributors
- Combined wealth nearly half of 2021 peak
The tech sector remains the strongest engine of young billionaire creation globally.
What Is Forbes World’s Billionaires List?
- The Forbes World’s Billionaires List is an annual ranking of the world’s wealthiest individuals, based on real-time net worth estimates.
- It includes self-made and inherited fortunes across sectors such as technology, finance, retail, and manufacturing.
- The “self-made” category highlights entrepreneurs who built their wealth independently.
- The under-40 ranking specifically tracks young wealth creators, offering insight into emerging global business trends.
Question
Q. Who topped the Forbes richest self-made billionaires under 40 list in 2025?
A) Nikhil Kamath
B) Wang Ning
C) Edwin Chen
D) Patrick Collison


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