In the ever-evolving world of modern entrepreneurship, a new wave of innovators are transforming their industries, overcoming obstacles, and driving unprecedented change. Today we celebrate the creativity and resilience of these extraordinary leaders, honoring their remarkable contributions to the business landscape.
Hailing from diverse sectors—including technology, healthcare, fashion, and finance—each visionary embodies the essence of entrepreneurship. Their stories, defined by grit, strategic brilliance, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence, inspire us to push boundaries and redefine success. Whether building disruptive startups or elevating established companies, these entrepreneurs showcase the boundless potential of innovation and determination to shape the future and leave a lasting impact.
1. Pinagare Mogodi
In an industry defined by cutthroat competition and capital intensity, Pinagare Mogodi, CEO of MAB Group (Matsapa-A-Botshelo), stands apart as a trailblazer. His journey from a second-year university student with big dreams to a leader managing billion-rand projects showcases resilience, innovation, and unrelenting determination. While many CEOs rely on established norms, Pinagare consistently pushes boundaries, turning setbacks into opportunities and rewriting the playbook for success in mining, construction, and exports.
As 2025 begins, Pinagare is preparing to launch over R1 billion worth of construction projects, which are slated to commence by February. These ventures are projected to create more than 10,000 jobs, aligning with MAB’s commitment to not only drive economic growth but also uplift communities. Simultaneously, he continues to lead MAB’s charge in the mining industry, securing billion-rand coal export contracts, and ensuring the company’s operations thrive despite industry challenges.
Turning Adversity into Triumph
The road to success hasn’t been smooth. During the COVID-19 pandemic, MAB was on the brink of collapse, burdened with over R50 million in debt. Projects stalled, and Pinagare faced personal and professional turmoil, including a divorce and restricted access to his children. He admits there were moments when giving up seemed inevitable. However, instead of succumbing to despair, Pinagare leaned on his faith, inner resolve, and the support of his team. Against all odds, he restructured operations, secured contracts, and transformed MAB into a formidable player in the mining and export industries.
Even more impressive is his ability to navigate port sabotage by competitors, a tactic that would cripple most companies. Instead, Pinagare leveraged strategic planning and unwavering determination to ensure MAB maintained its export commitments, earning the trust of global clients and cementing its position as an industry leader.
Pioneering a Self-Funded Legacy
What sets Pinagare and MAB apart from their peers is their ability to excel without external funding. While the mining and export industry is notoriously capital-intensive, requiring substantial investment in logistics and infrastructure, MAB has thrived using its own funds and resources. In 2025, however, Pinagare plans to change the game yet again. Recognizing the power of collaboration, he is working to establish strategic partnerships with funding partners, aiming to scale MAB’s operations and secure its place among the top global players.
“This industry demands more than vision—it requires bold action, careful planning, and the ability to endure,” Pinagare reflects. “For years, we’ve done it alone, but we’re ready to welcome the right partners to grow beyond even what we thought was possible.”
A Legacy Built on Perseverance
Pinagare’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2010, when he desired to lift his family out of financial hardship. Raised by a single mother who worked tirelessly to provide for him and his sister, he drew inspiration from her resilience and his uncle’s business acumen. Over the next 15 years, Pinagare built MAB into a diversified powerhouse in construction, mining, and trucking.
He credits his success to his willingness to embrace discomfort and challenges, saying, “I’ve learned that growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. Every milestone is a testament to faith, perseverance, and the beauty of a journey that unfolds with time.”
Looking Ahead
With a vision for growth and transformation, Pinagare Mogodi is not just a CEO; he is a symbol of South Africa’s potential. His plans to revolutionize the construction and mining industries while creating jobs and fostering partnerships signal the dawn of a new era for MAB Group. As he leads the charge into 2025, Pinagare remains committed to his mission of building not just a company, but a legacy of resilience, innovation, and positive impact.
This is not just the story of MAB Group—it’s the story of how one man redefined what it means to lead, overcome, and inspire.
MAB TECH: Revolutionizing Technology Through Solution Engineering and Development
As a dynamic and forward-thinking company, MAB Group has consistently demonstrated its commitment to innovation, adaptability, and diversification. To remain at the forefront of industry advancement, the company has launched MAB TECH, a specialized arm dedicated to harnessing cutting-edge technology for transformative solutions.
MAB TECH: A Hub for IT Innovation
Operating under the banner of M.A.B Information Technologies: Solution Engineering & Development, MAB TECH is positioned as a critical pillar of the MAB Group portfolio. This division focuses on solutions engineering, development, and deployment, ensuring that clients across industries benefit from bespoke, scalable, and efficient technological advancements.
At its core, MAB TECH is a testament to MAB Group’s ability to anticipate and respond to the evolving needs of its clients and the broader business landscape. By creating tailored IT solutions, MAB TECH helps organizations streamline operations, optimize processes, and embrace digital transformation.
From Pilot Projects to Game-Changing Solutions
Since its inception, MAB TECH has embarked on several pilot projects, laying the groundwork for future breakthroughs in technology integration. These pilot programs include:
- Custom Software Development: Crafting intuitive platforms that address unique operational challenges.
- Data Analytics and Insights: Implementing tools for real-time data analysis, empowering businesses to make data-driven decisions.
- Automation Solutions: Driving efficiency through automated workflows and processes.
These projects are not only designed to demonstrate MAB TECH’s capabilities but also to provide valuable insights that shape its approach to problem-solving for future clients.
A Commitment to Excellence in Technology
MAB TECH exemplifies the MAB Group’s guiding principles: innovation, quality, and impact. By integrating advanced technologies with a solutions-driven mindset, the division aims to revolutionize the IT landscape, enabling clients to thrive in an increasingly complex and competitive world.
Looking Ahead
As MAB TECH continues to expand its reach and refine its offerings, it is set to become a key player in the technology sector, solidifying MAB Group’s reputation as a leader in diversified industries. Whether it’s engineering sophisticated IT infrastructures or deploying custom digital tools, MAB TECH represents the next chapter in MAB Group’s remarkable story of growth, resilience, and success.
MAB TECH isn’t just a technological venture; it’s a commitment to driving progress and empowering businesses through innovative solutions.
2. Jenny Lei
At just 28 years old, Jenny Lei has transformed a personal struggle into a thriving business, proving that necessity truly is the mother of invention. Armed with a master’s degree in information science from Cornell University, Lei initially set her sights on a consulting career. However, job interviews left her feeling underconfident—not due to a lack of skills but because she couldn’t find accessories that truly empowered her.
In 2019, Lei decided to take matters into her own hands, designing her ideal work tote despite having no formal training in fashion or design. As she built her brand, Freja New York, Lei chronicled her journey, sharing everything from sourcing her first fabric samples to collaborating with a family-owned factory in Guangzhou, China. This transparency, she says, has been central to her success.
Freja launched in 2020 with an initial inventory of just 300 bags, entirely self-funded. Since then, the brand has expanded into a luxury line of minimalist bags, including purses and weekend travel essentials, priced between $100 and $550. Known for its authenticity, Freja reveals production costs to customers, a move that has resonated with working professionals and celebrities alike, including Hailey Bieber.
By 2023, the New York City-based startup generated $5.3 million in revenue, with projections to more than double that in 2024. Lei’s vision has not only filled a gap in the market but also empowered countless individuals to carry their confidence wherever they go.
3. Drew Afualo
At just 29 years old, Drew Afualo has become a powerhouse content creator, celebrated for her infectious laugh and women-centered content. With a 9-million-strong following on TikTok, mostly women under 35, Afualo has turned her unique voice into a multi-million-dollar empire.
In 2023, Afualo earned an estimated $2.9 million through brand partnerships with major names like Elf Cosmetics and the NBA, as well as her two popular podcasts. The Comment Section features candid conversations with guests like Rainn Wilson and Kehlani about navigating internet hate, while Two Idiot Girls, co-hosted with her sister Deison, delivers hilarious anecdotes and heartfelt moments.
Her reach caught the attention of Spotify, which signed her to a lucrative two-year deal worth $450,000 annually. Meanwhile, her best-selling memoir, LOUD, showcased her ability to resonate with audiences on an even deeper level, solidifying her place as a voice of her generation.
But Afualo’s ambitions go beyond digital media. “Traditional Hollywood now must be a lot more open to the idea of including internet people,” she says. With her sights set on TV and film, she’s determined to expand her influence to mainstream media.
Afualo’s blend of humor, authenticity, and advocacy for women has positioned her as more than just a content creator—it’s made her a cultural force redefining entertainment. As she transitions into Hollywood, one thing is certain: Drew Afualo’s star is only just beginning to rise.
4. Gökçe Güven
At just 25 years old, Gökçe Güven is transforming how companies view marketing, turning it from an expense into a revenue generator. As the founder of Kalder, Güven has developed a platform that seamlessly integrates cash-back and rewards programs into clients’ websites, delivering tangible value for businesses and their customers alike.
Kalder’s innovative approach has attracted a client roster that includes major players like Godiva and the International Air Transport Association. Inspired by successful programs like United Airlines’ MileagePlus, Güven’s model focuses on embedding financial technology within marketing strategies. “If you look at giants, what they did great for the past decade is they built financial technology capabilities inside their marketing machines,” she explains.
The model is simple yet effective: Kalder charges 60 cents monthly per customer who links their credit card, along with a small processing fee and a half-cent per dollar on transactions made with any of its 25,000 partnering merchants. This structure has proven lucrative, with Kalder generating $1.5 million in revenue this year alone.
Supported by $11 million in funding and a $35 million valuation, Güven’s vision is redefining marketing’s role in the business ecosystem. By creating programs that reward both companies and their customers, Kalder is setting a new standard for how brands connect with their audiences.
With her forward-thinking approach, Güven is not just building a company—she’s shaping the future of marketing itself.
5. Ben Nowack
At just 28, Ben Nowack is taking innovation to new heights—literally. As the cofounder of Reflect Orbital and a former SpaceX engineer, Nowack is on a mission to transform solar energy with an audacious concept: sunlight as a service.
Reflect Orbital is developing a constellation of mirrored satellites designed to reflect solar radiation down to Earth, ensuring a steady supply of sunlight even after nightfall. The idea may sound like science fiction, but Nowack has already demonstrated its feasibility. Last year, he launched a hot air balloon equipped with an eight-by-eight-foot Mylar mirror, successfully redirecting sunlight to solar panels in Pahrump, Nevada.
“Solar is a great way to make power—until the sun goes down,” Nowack explains. His satellites aim to change that by delivering uninterrupted solar energy, revolutionizing how power is generated and used. Alongside solar applications, Nowack envisions his technology supporting after-dark activities like night skiing, construction, and search-and-rescue operations.
Backed by $8.7 million in funding from Sequoia Capital and other investors, Reflect Orbital is tackling challenges such as cloud interference, with satellites designed to adapt and find clear patches of sky.
Nowack’s vision is more than just an engineering marvel—it’s a bold step toward a future where renewable energy is accessible anytime, anywhere. With Reflect Orbital, he’s not just chasing the sun; he’s redefining the limits of solar power for a brighter tomorrow.
6. Molly Mielke
At just 24 years old, Molly Mielke is reshaping what it means to be a venture capitalist. As the sole general partner of Moth Fund, a boutique venture firm she founded, Mielke has proven that unconventional paths can lead to remarkable success.
With a background as a film student turned graphic designer, Mielke honed her skills designing products at Figma and Notion and consulting for companies like Stripe and Retool. Despite having no formal investment track record, her expertise in storytelling for early-stage tech companies caught the attention of high-profile backers like Cendana Capital, Marc Andreessen, Fred Ehrsam, and Daniel Gross. Together, they helped her raise $6 million for Moth Fund.
Focused on early-stage startups, Mielke invests up to $250,000 in innovative companies such as Infinite Machine, an electric scooter firm, and Armstrong, a robotic dishwasher startup. To date, she has invested in 36 businesses, showcasing her sharp eye for potential and her ability to support groundbreaking ideas.
“I definitely don’t look like a model VC,” Mielke says, reflecting on her unique journey. “The right LPs understand VCs should be weird, and they should stand out.”
Mielke’s bold approach and fresh perspective are paving the way for a new generation of venture capitalists. As she prepares to raise a second fund, she’s proving that success in venture capital doesn’t require following the traditional playbook—it thrives on originality and vision.
7. Oban MacTavish
At 29, Oban MacTavish is on a mission to revolutionize the fight against financial fraud. As the cofounder of Spade, a New York City-based fintech startup, MacTavish is tackling a significant blind spot in the banking industry: the lack of transparency in credit card transactions.
“Banks are relying on data infrastructure from the 1960s,” MacTavish explains. This outdated system leaves financial institutions struggling to differentiate legitimate businesses from fraudulent ones. Together with cofounder Cooper Hart, MacTavish launched Spade to provide precise, real-time information about merchants, including their business categories and locations.
Spade combines data partnerships, artificial intelligence, and human review to build a comprehensive database of tens of millions of businesses. This innovative approach is invaluable in the ongoing battle against credit and debit card fraud, which cost banks $36 billion globally in 2023, according to Nilson.
In just three years, Spade has grown into an 18-person operation processing over $1 billion in monthly transactions for clients like Stripe and Corpay. The company’s success has attracted $16 million in funding, a testament to its potential to reshape financial security.
MacTavish’s work is more than just a technological upgrade—it’s a game-changer in the fight against fraud. By empowering banks with accurate and actionable data, Spade is setting a new standard for how financial institutions protect themselves and their customers. At the forefront of this transformation, MacTavish is proving that innovation is the key to staying ahead of cybercriminals.
8. Peggy Wang
At just 29 years old, Peggy Wang is poised to reshape the gaming industry. Alongside her cofounder Vishnu Hari, 33, Wang left promising careers at Facebook (now Meta) to pursue their shared vision of the future of video games. The duo’s brainchild, Ego, is a groundbreaking startup aimed at empowering players to create their own custom simulation games with nothing more than simple text prompts.
The company, which now boasts a team of seven, emerged from Y Combinator in April 2023 and quickly raised $7.5 million to turn its vision into reality. At its core, Ego’s sandbox-style game engine promises to revolutionize creativity in gaming. Players will be able to build immersive worlds akin to The Sims or Minecraft—without any coding knowledge. But what truly sets Ego apart is its integration of AI, allowing in-game characters to rewrite their programming in real time. This innovation paves the way for unlimited, one-of-a-kind gaming experiences.
“We’re building a game that people can play forever,” says Wang, a Stanford graduate who stands out as a rare female entrepreneur in the male-dominated gaming industry. With a focus on accessibility and limitless possibilities, Wang and her team are designing a platform that could redefine how games are created and played.
The alpha version of Ego is slated for release next spring, and anticipation is already building. For Peggy Wang, the future of gaming is one where creativity knows no bounds—and she’s making it happen.
9. Shaboozey
Shaboozey never imagined he’d be a chart-topping singer, let alone a Grammy-nominated one. Yet his single, “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” has shattered expectations, spending an impressive 16 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning one of his six Grammy nominations for Song of the Year. With over 1.5 billion streams and an estimated $10 million in earnings, the track has cemented his place as a rising star in music.
Born Collins Obinna Chibueze, the 29-year-old artist credits his breakthrough to embracing his roots. His latest work is a seamless fusion of country and hip-hop, blending his Nigerian heritage with the sounds of his Virginia upbringing. “I didn’t think anyone was going to like this,” Shaboozey admits. “Country is one of the hardest things to get people to connect with.” But the gamble paid off, earning him a devoted fanbase and redefining genre boundaries.
Now, Shaboozey is channeling his success into entrepreneurship. Through his label, American Dogwood, a collaboration with Empire, he’s scouting new talent and expanding his influence in the industry. Endorsements are also flowing in. His long-standing admiration for Jack Daniel’s has evolved into a formal partnership, with the iconic whiskey brand sponsoring his North American tour this fall.
With his genre-defying sound and a growing business empire, Shaboozey is more than a musician—he’s a trailblazer proving that bold risks can lead to extraordinary rewards.
10. Bobbi Althoff
Bobbi Althoff’s rise to stardom began with a single, unfiltered goal: to make money. From trying her hand at nannying content to housecleaning videos, the 27-year-old tested countless creative angles before discovering her winning formula—parody videos about being a “bad mom.” Her 2021 TikTok debut, featuring a deadpan joke about naming her daughter Richard because she wanted a son, quickly went viral. By early 2023, she had amassed 3 million followers, a number that has since skyrocketed to an impressive 13 million.
With her growing online fame, Althoff launched The Really Good Podcast in 2023, a platform that became her trademark. Known for her sarcastic, deadpan interview style, the podcast features candid conversations with high-profile guests, including Mark Cuban, Shaquille O’Neal, and Jason Derulo. Fans were drawn to her ability to bring humor and unpredictability to even the most serious of personalities.
In 2024, Althoff inked a year-long deal with Studio71, a Beverly Hills-based content studio that specializes in helping digital creators monetize their platforms. Between this partnership and lucrative brand deals, she earned an estimated $2.9 million over the past year.
Despite her rapid success, Althoff remains modest. “I don’t know how it keeps working for me,” she says. “I’m just taking it one interview at a time.”
From viral TikTok creator to podcasting sensation, Althoff’s unique blend of humor and authenticity continues to make her a standout in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
