During the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (APEC), the 2025 Asia-Pacific U40 Outstanding Business Leaders List was officially announced at the Asia-Pacific Young Entrepreneurs Forum (APEA). Jiang Anqi, Chairlady of Tianqi Lithium, was honored for her outstanding leadership and industry innovation in the energy and minerals sector.
The 2025 list recognizes 74 distinguished business leaders under the age of 40 from across APEC economies, representing key sectors including technology, education, healthcare, finance, and retail. Honorees include founders and senior executives from globally recognized organizations such as Cambricon, DeepSeek, iFLYTEK, miHoYo, Pop Mart, Nasdaq, and Meta Platforms. Notably, Jiang Anqi is the only honoree from the energy and minerals sector, underscoring her growing influence in advancing energy transition and sustainable development across the Asia-Pacific region.
According to APEA, the U40 business leaders represent true “wave-makers” who actively shape the future of industries through strategic vision, technological breakthroughs, and innovative business models. From pioneers driving the artificial intelligence revolution to entrepreneurs transforming traditional industries, these leaders collectively reflect the dynamic competitiveness of the Asia-Pacific region. Their vision and decisions will help shape the region’s role in the evolving global landscape.
The selection was conducted by the APEA Asia-Pacific Young Leaders Program Committee in collaboration with a panel of experts. Candidates were evaluated across multiple dimensions, including industry leadership, strategic innovation, and global vision, with final deliberations taking place during the APEC Summit through a closed-door review process. Beyond company scale, the evaluation emphasized each candidate’s ability to act as a “wave-maker” capable of shaping industry development and delivering long-term impact. The official award ceremony will be held in Shenzhen alongside the 2026 APEC Summit.
The Asia-Pacific Young Entrepreneurs Forum (APEA) is an important annual forum held during the APEC Summit and has received public recognition and support from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). The advisory committee is chaired by Antonio Basilio, Secretary-General of the APEC Business Advisory Council. As a key platform connecting young entrepreneurs across the Asia-Pacific region, APEA promotes dialogue, collaboration, and resource sharing, fostering cross-regional cooperation and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to pursue shared growth and mutual success.
