InfluenceAsia Original Future Ranking

InfluenceAsia 2020 Future 100

An independent editorial and research ranking identifying the Asian founders, builders, cultural figures, social innovators, investors and next-generation enterprise leaders whose work is shaping the region's future influence.

  • InfluenceAsia Original Ranking
  • Asia
  • Future Influence
  • Annual Research Edition
  • Independent Editorial Research
  • People Ranking
100 Selected Individuals
7 Research Cohorts
Asia-wide Regional Scope
100-point Editorial Scoring Model

Three editorial lenses behind this annual Future 100.

The introduction, annual theme and subject criteria are grouped into compact reading modules so the page keeps momentum before moving into the ranking and methodology.

01

Ranking Introduction

A new map of Asian influence, written at the edge of a difficult year.

InfluenceAsia 2020 Future 100 identifies the people building Asia's next layer of influence: platform founders, consumer brand builders, cultural exporters, public-interest innovators, new investors and heirs who are moving family institutions into new markets.

The 2020 edition is not a celebrity index and not a wealth table. It is an editorial ranking of future-facing influence, measured through the ability to create systems, shift behavior, open categories, build trust and carry Asian ideas into wider global circulation.

02

Annual Theme

Systems Under Pressure, Futures Under Construction

The defining question of 2020 is not who is visible, but who remains useful when systems are strained. Digital platforms, payment rails, logistics networks, online education, vaccine manufacturing, creator media, civic technology and social advocacy have become part of Asia's operating infrastructure.

This year's Future 100 recognizes influence that is practical, exportable and durable: the kind of influence that changes how people move, learn, pay, work, consume, organize, tell stories and imagine public responsibility.

03

Selected Subjects

Who is considered for the Future 100.

Young entrepreneurs; technology founders; new consumer founders; cultural innovators; social innovators; young investors; and next-generation family enterprise successors are considered when their work demonstrates public relevance, regional significance and the capacity to shape future institutions.

The edition favors leaders broadly within a young or next-generation leadership frame as of 2020, while allowing select founder-generation and successor profiles where their role clearly represents the transfer of influence into a new era.

The leading names in the 2020 Future 100.

The opening tier of the published ranking, with role, platform and editorial rationale.

No. 1

Zhang Yiming

Founder, ByteDance

Zhang Yiming stands at the center of Asia's most consequential consumer internet export of the 2020 cycle. ByteDance's recommendation-led product architecture has turned short video, news feeds and creator distribution into a n...

No. 2

Anthony Tan

Co-founder and Group CEO, Grab

Anthony Tan has turned Grab from a ride-hailing company into one of Southeast Asia's core digital platforms. Its services sit inside daily life across transport, food, logistics, payments and small-business enablement.

No. 3

Forrest Li

Founder, Chairman and Group CEO, Sea Limited

Forrest Li leads one of Southeast Asia's rare technology groups with three powerful engines: digital entertainment, commerce and financial services. Sea's growth shows how Asian platforms can compound across markets and consume...

No. 4

Colin Huang

Founder and strategic architect, Pinduoduo

Colin Huang has built Pinduoduo into one of China's most disruptive consumer platforms by making shopping more social, playful and value-driven. The company has shifted attention toward underserved consumers and new forms of de...

No. 5

Nadiem Makarim

Founder of Gojek; Minister of Education and Culture of Indonesia

Nadiem Makarim moved from building one of Southeast Asia's most influential platforms to taking on a national reform role. His trajectory links startup execution with public systems at a moment when education and digital access...

No. 6

Wang Xing

Founder and CEO, Meituan

Wang Xing has made Meituan a commanding force in China's local services economy. The platform touches restaurants, delivery riders, travel, merchants and urban consumers at enormous frequency.

No. 7

Ritesh Agarwal

Founder and Group CEO, OYO

Ritesh Agarwal is one of Asia's most visible young founders, building OYO from India into a multi-market hospitality platform. The company reflects a bold attempt to standardize and digitize fragmented hotel supply.

No. 8

Min-Liang Tan

Co-founder and CEO, Razer

Min-Liang Tan has built Razer into a global gaming lifestyle brand with a voice far larger than hardware alone. Its identity sits at the intersection of performance devices, esports, software, communities and youth culture.

How future-facing influence is scored.

The model reads influence through field consequence, Asia relevance, global signal, execution credibility and future durability.

Signal

20%

Field-Defining Influence

Evidence that the individual is shaping a market, category, cultural field or institutional agenda rather than merely participating in it.

Signal

15%

Asia Relevance

Depth of connection to Asian markets, communities, operating systems, audiences, capital flows or cultural identity.

Signal

15%

Global Visibility

Ability to travel beyond a domestic audience through platforms, products, capital, policy, media, sport, music, fashion, film or public advocacy.

Signal

15%

Innovation Architecture

Originality of the model, technology, creative language, distribution system, governance approach or social intervention.

Signal

15%

Execution Credibility

Demonstrated ability to build, scale, operate or sustain a meaningful body of work under real-world constraints.

Signal

10%

Cultural and Social Signal

The degree to which the individual affects public taste, social norms, identity, aspiration, access or civic imagination.

Signal

10%

Future Durability

Likelihood that the person's 2020 influence platform will remain relevant to Asia's next decade.

A 100-point editorial research model for future-facing Asian influence.

The Future 100 is scored through public relevance, institutional consequence, cross-border signal and durability.

Selection Rules

  • Each entry must refer to a real, publicly identifiable individual with a meaningful public role visible in or before 2020.
  • Selection favors original builders and operators over inherited fame alone; next-generation family successors are assessed for active leadership, strategic transition or institution-shaping relevance.
  • The ranking is deliberately cross-sector: technology, consumer brands, culture, social innovation, capital and family enterprise are treated as connected forms of influence.
  • The score is an editorial synthesis, not a valuation, net-worth measure, follower count or award tally.
  • No entry is included because of paid participation, nomination fees, advertising, sponsorship or institutional partnership.

Scoring Model

  1. Field-defining influence: 20 points
  2. Asia relevance: 15 points
  3. Global visibility: 15 points
  4. Innovation architecture: 15 points
  5. Execution credibility: 15 points
  6. Cultural and social signal: 10 points
  7. Future durability: 10 points

Editorial Limits

  • Influence is not the same as moral endorsement. Inclusion recognizes public relevance and future-shaping capacity within the 2020 context.
  • Private companies, family enterprises and early-stage social initiatives disclose information unevenly, so exact comparability is limited.
  • The ranking is written in 2020 perspective and should not be retroactively revised with later exits, scandals, acquisitions, awards or role changes unless a new edition is created.

InfluenceAsia 2020 Future 100

Search by name, platform, cohort, market, region or profile.

Showing 100 entries

Rank Person Role / Platform Cohort / Region Influence Territory Score Signal / Rationale
1 Zhang YimingChina Founder, ByteDanceByteDance, Douyin, TikTok, Toutiao Technology FounderEast Asia AI-led content distribution, short-form video, creator economy and global consumer internet 98.7

He is selected for building a platform company whose influence crosses language, entertainment, advertising and political attention. In 2020, TikTok's global momentum and Douyin's domestic strength make Zhang a defining figure in how Asian technology can set worldwide cultural behavior.

2 Anthony TanMalaysia / Singapore Co-founder and Group CEO, GrabGrab Technology FounderSoutheast Asia Mobility, delivery, payments and Southeast Asian super-app infrastructure 97.9

He is selected for building a regional operating system in fragmented markets where trust, payments, maps, logistics and local execution matter. In 2020, Grab's role in urban resilience and digital adoption places Tan among Asia's most important next-generation platform leaders.

3 Forrest LiSingapore Founder, Chairman and Group CEO, Sea LimitedSea Limited, Garena, Shopee, SeaMoney Technology FounderSoutheast Asia Gaming, e-commerce, digital payments and Southeast Asian consumer technology 97.4

He is selected for creating a regional technology institution with global gaming reach and deep local commerce relevance. In 2020, Sea represents a high-conviction model for Asian platform scale outside the United States and China.

4 Colin HuangChina Founder and strategic architect, PinduoduoPinduoduo Technology FounderEast Asia Social commerce, value retail, agricultural commerce and mobile consumer behavior 97.0

He is selected for challenging the established e-commerce order with a model that combines mobile engagement, group buying and extreme operating focus. In 2020, Huang's influence is visible in how retailers, brands and platforms rethink growth beyond premium urban users.

5 Nadiem MakarimIndonesia Founder of Gojek; Minister of Education and Culture of IndonesiaGojek, Indonesian education reform agenda Founder and Social InnovatorSoutheast Asia On-demand services, informal work, public-sector modernization and education access 96.6

He is selected for showing how founder methods can enter public service without losing urgency. In 2020, his significance lies in both Gojek's platform legacy and the possibility of redesigning education for a large, diverse Asian democracy.

6 Wang XingChina Founder and CEO, MeituanMeituan Technology FounderEast Asia Local services, food delivery, merchant digitization and urban logistics 96.2

He is selected for turning local service complexity into a scalable technology and operations system. In 2020, Meituan's relevance grows as on-demand delivery, merchant tools and neighborhood commerce become critical infrastructure.

7 Ritesh AgarwalIndia Founder and Group CEO, OYOOYO Young EntrepreneurSouth Asia Budget hospitality, hotel operations technology and cross-border consumer travel 95.8

He is selected for ambition, youth, category creation and the scale of OYO's international operating challenge. In 2020, the hospitality sector is under stress, making Agarwal's leadership a test of resilience as much as growth.

8 Min-Liang TanSingapore Co-founder and CEO, RazerRazer Technology FounderSoutheast Asia Gaming hardware, esports culture, youth lifestyle and digital payments 95.3

He is selected for giving an Asian-founded brand global credibility in gaming culture. In 2020, as gaming becomes mainstream entertainment and social infrastructure, Tan's influence sits across commerce, design and community behavior.

9 Cheng WeiChina Founder and CEO, DiDiDiDi Technology FounderEast Asia Mobility platforms, ride-hailing networks and urban transport technology 94.9

He is selected for building mobility infrastructure at national scale in one of the world's most complex urban markets. In 2020, DiDi remains central to the future of platform labor, transport safety and intelligent mobility.

10 Deepinder GoyalIndia Founder and CEO, ZomatoZomato Technology FounderSouth Asia Food discovery, delivery, restaurant digitization and consumer internet 94.6

He is selected for building a platform that changed how Indian consumers discover and access food. In 2020, restaurants and delivery networks face severe pressure, making Zomato's role in the food economy unusually consequential.

11 Vijay Shekhar SharmaIndia Founder and CEO, PaytmPaytm Technology FounderSouth Asia Digital payments, mobile wallets, financial inclusion and merchant digitization 94.2

He is selected for pushing payment behavior into the mainstream at population scale. In 2020, the need for low-touch commerce and digital financial access gives Sharma's platform influence new urgency.

12 Byju RaveendranIndia Founder and CEO, BYJU'SBYJU'S Education Technology FounderSouth Asia Online learning, test preparation, K-12 education and consumer edtech 93.9

He is selected for turning education technology into a mass-market Asian growth story. In 2020, remote learning has become a household necessity, placing BYJU'S and its founder at the center of a decisive behavioral shift.

13 Bhavish AggarwalIndia Co-founder and CEO, OlaOla, Ola Electric Technology FounderSouth Asia Mobility platforms, electric mobility and urban transport 93.5

He is selected for combining digital mobility with the larger transition toward cleaner transport. In 2020, Ola's future relevance depends on whether software-led mobility can extend into electric vehicles and manufacturing-led ecosystems.

14 William TanuwijayaIndonesia Co-founder and CEO, TokopediaTokopedia Technology FounderSoutheast Asia E-commerce, merchant enablement, Indonesian digital economy and MSME access 93.1

He is selected for building marketplace infrastructure in a market where geography and trust are structural challenges. In 2020, Tokopedia's role in keeping commerce active gives Tanuwijaya's work wider social and economic meaning.

15 Ferry UnardiIndonesia Co-founder and CEO, TravelokaTraveloka Technology FounderSoutheast Asia Travel technology, digital booking, regional consumer services and payments 92.7

He is selected for building a category leader in a sector facing one of 2020's deepest shocks. Traveloka's ability to adapt from travel demand into broader consumer services makes Unardi an important future influence case.

16 Bom KimSouth Korea Founder and CEO, CoupangCoupang Technology FounderEast Asia E-commerce logistics, last-mile delivery and Korean consumer technology 92.4

He is selected for proving that infrastructure execution can be a consumer brand advantage. In 2020, Coupang's delivery reliability and supply-chain relevance give Kim's operating model strategic significance beyond Korea.

17 Lee Seung-gunSouth Korea Founder and CEO, Viva RepublicaToss Financial Technology FounderEast Asia Consumer fintech, mobile payments, credit, financial access and financial product design 92.1

He is selected for rethinking finance around user experience rather than institutional complexity. In 2020, Toss points toward a broader Asian shift in which fintech brands become trusted daily utilities.

18 He XiaopengChina Chairman and CEO, XPengXPeng Technology FounderEast Asia Smart electric vehicles, autonomous driving and software-defined mobility 91.8

He is selected for representing the software-native EV founder generation. In 2020, XPeng's public-market visibility and product roadmap make He a significant figure in Asia's electric mobility transition.

19 Li XiangChina Founder and CEO, Li AutoLi Auto Technology FounderEast Asia New-energy vehicles, family mobility and Chinese smart-car entrepreneurship 91.5

He is selected for making new-energy vehicle adoption feel practical rather than purely futuristic. In 2020, Li Auto's market visibility places Li among the founders shaping Asia's smart-car decade.

20 Su HuaChina Co-founder and CEO, KuaishouKuaishou Technology FounderEast Asia Short video, livestreaming, creator commerce and social media for broader China 91.2

He is selected for elevating creator participation, livestream commerce and everyday expression into mainstream platform behavior. In 2020, Kuaishou is a central force in China's next social media cycle.

21 Cheng YixiaoChina Co-founder, KuaishouKuaishou Technology FounderEast Asia Video communities, creator tools, livestream culture and social commerce 90.9

He is selected for helping build a platform where social belonging and commerce converge. In 2020, Cheng's influence is embedded in the design of participatory media at enormous scale.

22 Jean LiuChina President, DiDiDiDi Technology ExecutiveEast Asia Mobility technology, platform governance, safety systems and global partnerships 90.6

She is selected for executive influence inside one of Asia's largest technology companies. In 2020, the mobility platform sector needs credibility, safety and disciplined operations, giving Liu's leadership unusual importance.

23 Miranda QuChina Co-founder, XiaohongshuXiaohongshu Technology FounderEast Asia Lifestyle community, social commerce, beauty discovery and consumer trust 90.3

She is selected for shaping a more community-led model of commerce and taste formation. In 2020, Xiaohongshu's combination of notes, reviews and shopping signals points toward a powerful new consumer media architecture.

24 Charlwin MaoChina Co-founder, XiaohongshuXiaohongshu Technology FounderEast Asia Consumer internet, social commerce, community content and lifestyle retail 90.0

He is selected for building a platform that changed how young Chinese consumers research, compare and narrate products. In 2020, this trust-led commerce model is increasingly relevant across Asia.

25 Audrey TangTaiwan Digital Minister of TaiwanTaiwan digital governance initiatives Social InnovatorEast Asia Civic technology, open governance, digital democracy and public communication 89.7

Tang is selected for showing how digital systems can strengthen public trust rather than extract attention. In 2020, Taiwan's civic-tech credibility gives Tang's model influence well beyond government technology circles.

26 Harshil MathurIndia Co-founder and CEO, RazorpayRazorpay Financial Technology FounderSouth Asia Payment infrastructure, business banking, merchant software and online commerce 89.4

He is selected for moving fintech from consumer wallets into deep business infrastructure. In 2020, as commerce moves online faster than expected, Razorpay's relevance to merchant survival and scale becomes more pronounced.

27 Shashank KumarIndia Co-founder and CTO, RazorpayRazorpay Financial Technology FounderSouth Asia Payments engineering, financial APIs, merchant infrastructure and business software 89.1

He is selected for helping turn payments complexity into usable software. In 2020, Kumar's work has strategic importance because digital commerce growth depends on invisible financial infrastructure that actually works.

28 Nithin KamathIndia Co-founder and CEO, ZerodhaZerodha Financial Technology FounderSouth Asia Retail investing, brokerage technology, capital-market access and financial education 88.8

He is selected for building a profitable, product-led alternative to conventional financial distribution. In 2020, retail investing is becoming a larger cultural and economic force, and Zerodha is one of its clearest Asian examples.

29 Nikhil KamathIndia Co-founder, Zerodha and True BeaconZerodha, True Beacon Young InvestorSouth Asia Retail brokerage, asset management, private capital and investment culture 88.5

He is selected for representing a younger Indian capital-market voice with unusual reach. In 2020, his influence sits at the intersection of market access, founder wealth and investment literacy.

30 Kunal ShahIndia Founder, CREDCRED Financial Technology FounderSouth Asia Consumer finance, credit behavior, rewards, premium digital communities and brand-led fintech 88.2

He is selected for influencing how India's affluent digital users think about financial status, habit and trust. In 2020, CRED is an early signal that fintech can become a culture-led category, not only a utility.

31 Peyush BansalIndia Co-founder and CEO, LenskartLenskart New Consumer FounderSouth Asia Omnichannel eyewear, vision care, consumer retail and private-label scale 87.9

He is selected for transforming eyewear from a fragmented service into a scalable consumer brand. In 2020, Lenskart's model shows how Asian new consumer companies can blend technology with physical trust.

32 Tarun MehtaIndia Co-founder and CEO, Ather EnergyAther Energy Technology FounderSouth Asia Electric two-wheelers, charging infrastructure, connected vehicles and clean mobility 87.6

He is selected for bringing product seriousness to a category critical to Asia's mobility future. In 2020, the electric two-wheeler market is still early, making Ather's execution a meaningful future signal.

33 Vidit AatreyIndia Co-founder and CEO, MeeshoMeesho Technology FounderSouth Asia Social commerce, reseller networks, women entrepreneurs and small-town digital retail 87.3

He is selected for widening the definition of who can participate in e-commerce. In 2020, Meesho's model speaks directly to India's next internet users and the informal trust networks that shape commerce.

34 Sanjeev BarnwalIndia Co-founder and CTO, MeeshoMeesho Technology FounderSouth Asia Social commerce technology, reseller tools, mobile-first retail and marketplace operations 87.0

He is selected for building technology that lowers the threshold for small entrepreneurs. In 2020, this kind of inclusion-oriented commerce infrastructure is central to Asia's next digital economy.

35 Ghazal AlaghIndia Co-founder, MamaearthMamaearth, Honasa Consumer New Consumer FounderSouth Asia Personal care, toxin-conscious consumer branding, digital-first beauty and parenting-led trust 86.7

She is selected for helping define a new consumer language in Indian beauty and personal care. In 2020, Mamaearth's growth points to a wider shift from legacy FMCG toward founder-led, digital-native brands.

36 Varun AlaghIndia Co-founder, MamaearthMamaearth, Honasa Consumer New Consumer FounderSouth Asia DTC consumer goods, personal care, brand systems and digital distribution 86.4

He is selected for scaling a new consumer company in a market long dominated by established FMCG players. In 2020, his work illustrates how digital acquisition, trust cues and product speed can reshape consumer goods.

37 Vineeta SinghIndia Co-founder and CEO, SUGAR CosmeticsSUGAR Cosmetics New Consumer FounderSouth Asia Beauty, color cosmetics, DTC retail, women-led entrepreneurship and youth consumer culture 86.1

She is selected for helping Indian beauty move beyond imported aspiration and legacy formats. In 2020, SUGAR represents the confidence of local consumer brands built for young urban and emerging-city audiences.

38 Ankiti BoseIndia / Singapore Co-founder and CEO, ZilingoZilingo Technology FounderSouth Asia / Southeast Asia Fashion supply chains, SME commerce, sourcing technology and Southeast Asian trade 85.8

She is selected for addressing the operational backbone of fashion rather than only the consumer storefront. In 2020, Zilingo's ambition reflects the need to digitize Asian SMEs and cross-border trade networks.

39 Priyanka GillIndia Founder, POPxo and PlixxoPOPxo, Plixxo, MyGlamm ecosystem New Consumer FounderSouth Asia Women-focused digital media, influencer commerce, beauty content and creator-led consumer funnels 85.5

She is selected for understanding that modern consumer brands are built through media, trust and creator networks. In 2020, her ecosystem role signals how Indian beauty and lifestyle commerce will be shaped by audience ownership.

40 Sairee ChahalIndia Founder and CEO, SHEROESSHEROES Social InnovatorSouth Asia Women's internet communities, work access, entrepreneurship and digital safety 85.2

She is selected for treating community infrastructure as a form of social and economic innovation. In 2020, when digital participation is accelerating, her work remains central to a more inclusive Asian internet.

41 Shradha SharmaIndia Founder and CEO, YourStoryYourStory Cultural and Ecosystem InnovatorSouth Asia Startup storytelling, founder visibility, entrepreneurial media and ecosystem memory 84.9

She is selected for building media infrastructure around entrepreneurship itself. In 2020, as startups become part of India's national economic imagination, Sharma's influence lies in who gets seen, heard and remembered.

42 Khailee NgMalaysia Managing Partner, 500 Startups Southeast Asia500 Durians, 500 Startups Southeast Asia Young InvestorSoutheast Asia Early-stage venture capital, founder networks and Southeast Asian startup ecosystem building 84.6

He is selected for influencing the pipeline of new companies, not just a single firm. In 2020, regional venture networks are essential to Southeast Asia's technology maturation, and Ng remains one of their most visible connectors.

43 Pocket SunChina / Singapore / United States Co-founder and Managing Partner, SoGal VenturesSoGal Ventures Young InvestorEast Asia / Southeast Asia Women-led venture capital, cross-border founders, consumer technology and inclusive capital 84.3

She is selected for making capital allocation itself part of the future-influence conversation. In 2020, SoGal's networked model points toward a more inclusive venture architecture for Asian and global founders.

44 Anna FangChina CEO and Partner, ZhenFundZhenFund Young InvestorEast Asia Early-stage investing, Chinese startups, founder selection and venture ecosystem development 84.0

She is selected for shaping the capital layer beneath China's next startup generation. In 2020, early-stage conviction remains one of the most important levers of future technology influence.

45 Sandeep NailwalIndia Co-founder, Matic NetworkMatic Network Technology FounderSouth Asia Blockchain scaling, decentralized applications, developer infrastructure and Web3 adoption 83.7

He is selected for helping place Indian founders inside the global Web3 infrastructure conversation. In 2020, blockchain adoption remains early, but scaling systems are critical to whether the category can move beyond speculation.

46 Jaynti KananiIndia Co-founder and CEO, Matic NetworkMatic Network Technology FounderSouth Asia Blockchain engineering, Ethereum scaling, developer infrastructure and Web3 tooling 83.4

He is selected for technical contribution to an emerging infrastructure layer with global developer relevance. In 2020, Asia's Web3 influence depends on builders who can make decentralized systems faster, cheaper and more usable.

47 Changpeng ZhaoChina-born / Global Founder and CEO, BinanceBinance Technology FounderEast Asia / Global Asia Crypto exchange infrastructure, digital assets, global trading systems and blockchain finance 83.1

He is selected for the scale of influence over digital asset access, liquidity and infrastructure. In 2020, crypto is moving from fringe speculation toward a broader institutional and retail conversation, making Zhao a consequential future-finance figure.

48 Kosuke SogoJapan / Singapore Co-founder and CEO, AnyMind GroupAnyMind Group Technology FounderEast Asia / Southeast Asia Marketing technology, creator commerce, DTC tools and cross-border business enablement 82.8

He is selected for operating across multiple Asian markets with tools that help businesses scale audiences and sales. In 2020, creator commerce and digital advertising systems are becoming central to business growth.

49 Quek Siu RuiSingapore Co-founder and CEO, CarousellCarousell Technology FounderSoutheast Asia Recommerce, classifieds, peer-to-peer marketplaces and circular consumption 82.5

He is selected for building consumer technology around reuse and everyday commerce rather than only new retail. In 2020, recommerce is gaining strategic relevance as affordability and sustainability move closer together.

50 Tan Hooi LingMalaysia / Singapore Co-founder, GrabGrab Technology FounderSoutheast Asia Product strategy, operations, mobility, delivery and regional platform execution 82.2

She is selected for her role in building one of Asia's most influential super-apps. In 2020, Grab's multi-service platform makes her contribution important to how Southeast Asian technology companies scale across cultural and regulatory borders.

51 Kevin AluwiIndonesia Co-founder and Co-CEO, GojekGojek Technology FounderSoutheast Asia On-demand services, product systems, driver networks and Indonesian platform technology 81.9

He is selected for carrying Gojek's founder DNA into a more institutional phase. In 2020, the company's services remain deeply embedded in urban life, making Aluwi part of Indonesia's digital infrastructure generation.

52 Achmad ZakyIndonesia Founder, BukalapakBukalapak Technology FounderSoutheast Asia E-commerce, MSME digitization, Indonesian founders and startup ecosystem development 81.6

He is selected for making marketplace participation more accessible to Indonesian sellers. In 2020, small-business digitization is a national economic priority, and Zaky's founder legacy remains highly relevant.

53 Mudassir SheikhaPakistan / United Arab Emirates Co-founder and CEO, CareemCareem Technology FounderSouth Asia / West Asia Mobility, super-app services, Middle East startup culture and regional platform talent 81.3

He is selected for demonstrating that the Middle East can produce major technology platforms with regional depth. In 2020, Careem's founder story continues to influence talent, capital and ambition across West Asia and Pakistan-linked networks.

54 Moses LoIndonesia / Singapore Co-founder and CEO, XenditXendit Financial Technology FounderSoutheast Asia Payments infrastructure, Southeast Asian fintech, digital business tools and startup finance 81.0

He is selected for focusing on the financial rails beneath the region's internet economy. In 2020, as merchants and startups accelerate online, Xendit's infrastructure role becomes increasingly strategic.

55 Tessa WijayaIndonesia Co-founder and COO, XenditXendit Financial Technology FounderSoutheast Asia Fintech operations, payments infrastructure, women in technology and Indonesian startup leadership 80.7

She is selected for representing both fintech depth and leadership diversity in a critical infrastructure category. In 2020, her visibility matters because payment systems need operators who understand regulation, trust and business adoption.

56 Shinta NurfauziaIndonesia Co-founder and CEO, LemoniloLemonilo New Consumer FounderSoutheast Asia Healthy food, consumer wellness, DTC retail and Indonesian new consumption 80.4

She is selected for bringing new consumer thinking into mass food categories. In 2020, wellness, safety and direct consumer relationships are becoming more important across Asian packaged goods.

57 Joel LeongSingapore Co-founder, ShopBackShopBack Technology FounderSoutheast Asia Cashback commerce, loyalty, affiliate marketing and consumer savings behavior 80.1

He is selected for helping build a consumer habit around smarter digital purchasing. In 2020, value-seeking behavior and e-commerce acceleration make cashback infrastructure more relevant to regional retail.

58 Ray ChanHong Kong Co-founder and CEO, 9GAG9GAG Cultural Technology FounderEast Asia Internet culture, memes, youth media, social sharing and global digital entertainment 79.8

He is selected for proving that Asian digital culture can travel through humor, format and community rather than conventional media power. In 2020, 9GAG remains a durable reference point in global youth internet culture.

59 Roshni Nadar MalhotraIndia Chairperson, HCL TechnologiesHCL Technologies, Shiv Nadar Foundation Next-Generation Family Enterprise SuccessorSouth Asia Information technology, corporate governance, philanthropy, education and conservation 79.5

She is selected for taking visible leadership inside a major Indian technology group in 2020. Her influence is not only dynastic; it rests on how a second-generation leader can manage scale, trust and social responsibility.

60 Isha AmbaniIndia Director and next-generation leader within Reliance's digital and retail businessesReliance Jio, Reliance Retail Next-Generation Family Enterprise SuccessorSouth Asia Digital services, retail, consumer platforms, fashion, telecom and Indian household consumption 79.2

She is selected for the scale of institutional influence attached to Reliance's digital and retail expansion. In 2020, the Jio Platforms investment cycle places Reliance's next generation at the center of India's consumer technology future.

61 Akash AmbaniIndia Director and next-generation leader within Reliance JioReliance Jio Next-Generation Family Enterprise SuccessorSouth Asia Telecommunications, digital platforms, connectivity, media and consumer technology 78.9

He is selected for succession-linked influence inside one of Asia's most important digital infrastructure groups. In 2020, connectivity, platforms and strategic technology partnerships make his role consequential.

62 Adar PoonawallaIndia CEO, Serum Institute of IndiaSerum Institute of India Next-Generation Family Enterprise SuccessorSouth Asia Vaccines, public health manufacturing, global health supply and pharmaceutical scale 78.6

He is selected for the strategic importance of health manufacturing during a global crisis. His role shows how next-generation family enterprise leadership can carry direct implications for public health, diplomacy and global equity.

63 Nisaba GodrejIndia Executive Chairperson, Godrej Consumer ProductsGodrej Consumer Products Next-Generation Family Enterprise SuccessorSouth Asia Consumer goods, governance, women in leadership, sustainability and emerging-market brands 78.3

She is selected for guiding a legacy consumer institution through changing expectations around health, hygiene, inclusion and sustainability. In 2020, consumer trust is an especially valuable form of influence.

64 Rishad PremjiIndia Chairman, WiproWipro Next-Generation Family Enterprise SuccessorSouth Asia Information technology services, corporate governance, philanthropy and enterprise transformation 78.0

He is selected for representing a transition from founder-led technology enterprise to successor-led global institution. In 2020, Wipro's relevance depends on leadership able to balance transformation, trust and long-term stakeholder discipline.

65 Ananya BirlaIndia Founder, Svatantra Microfin; musician and social-impact entrepreneurSvatantra Microfin, Ananya Birla Foundation, music career Young EntrepreneurSouth Asia Microfinance, women's entrepreneurship, youth culture, mental health and music 77.7

She is selected for operating across business, philanthropy and culture while carrying the expectations of a major Indian business lineage. In 2020, her influence is notable because it blends capital access with public-facing youth voice.

66 Kavin Bharti MittalIndia Founder and CEO, HikeHike Technology FounderSouth Asia Messaging, social products, gaming, Indian internet culture and next-generation family enterprise 77.4

He is selected for pursuing Indian consumer internet products in a category dominated by global incumbents. In 2020, his influence lies in experimentation, product identity and the search for local social behavior models.

67 Adrian ChengHong Kong Executive leader, New World Development; founder, K11New World Development, K11 Next-Generation Family Enterprise SuccessorEast Asia Cultural commerce, property, art patronage, luxury retail and urban experience 77.1

He is selected for expanding the meaning of real estate beyond assets into cultural infrastructure. In 2020, Cheng's model shows how next-generation successors can reposition legacy groups through taste, community and creative capital.

68 Sabrina HoMacau Cultural entrepreneur and founder, Chiu Yeng CultureChiu Yeng Culture, Macau cultural initiatives Cultural InnovatorEast Asia Art, culture, auction platforms, creative industries and next-generation family influence 76.8

She is selected for helping shift Macau's public image toward culture and creativity. In 2020, her influence lies in the way next-generation heirs can direct attention from inherited capital toward new cultural infrastructure.

69 Chryseis TanMalaysia Entrepreneur and investor within the Berjaya family ecosystemBerjaya-linked ventures and personal consumer-facing initiatives Next-Generation Family Enterprise SuccessorSoutheast Asia Hospitality, retail, lifestyle, social media influence and next-generation entrepreneurship 76.5

She is selected for embodying a softer but powerful form of successor influence: brand, access, aspiration and venture participation. In 2020, this public-facing model is increasingly relevant to family business renewal.

70 Putri TanjungIndonesia Founder, Creativepreneur; Special Staff to the President of IndonesiaCreativepreneur, Indonesian presidential advisory role Young EntrepreneurSoutheast Asia Youth entrepreneurship, creative economy, public leadership and next-generation family enterprise 76.2

She is selected for representing a new Indonesian leadership style that is public-facing, entrepreneurial and policy-adjacent. In 2020, her influence comes from connecting young business culture with national development narratives.

71 Axton SalimIndonesia Director, Indofood Sukses MakmurIndofood, Salim Group ecosystem Next-Generation Family Enterprise SuccessorSoutheast Asia Food manufacturing, consumer goods, nutrition, brand portfolios and Indonesian household consumption 75.9

He is selected for successor relevance in a sector where scale, affordability and trust directly affect daily life. In 2020, food supply and consumer reliability give his institutional role added importance.

72 Anderson TanotoIndonesia / Singapore Managing Director, Royal Golden EagleRoyal Golden Eagle Next-Generation Family Enterprise SuccessorSoutheast Asia Natural resources, manufacturing, sustainability, family enterprise transition and Asian industrial stewardship 75.6

He is selected for the scale of influence attached to industrial family enterprises and their environmental responsibilities. In 2020, the future of Asian business leadership requires credible stewardship in high-impact sectors.

73 Malala YousafzaiPakistan / United Kingdom Education advocate and co-founder, Malala FundMalala Fund Social InnovatorSouth Asia / Global Girls' education, global advocacy, youth leadership and human rights 75.3

She is selected for converting personal history into a global education platform with enduring relevance to Asia. In 2020, school disruption reinforces the urgency of her work and the importance of education access for girls.

74 Nadia MuradIraq Human rights advocate and founder, Nadia's InitiativeNadia's Initiative Social InnovatorWest Asia Survivor justice, post-conflict recovery, human rights and community rebuilding 75.0

She is selected for turning advocacy into institutional action for communities too often reduced to headlines. In 2020, Murad's influence shows how Asian social leadership can carry global moral authority.

75 Yusra MardiniSyria / Global Athlete and refugee advocateRefugee advocacy and Olympic-linked public platform Social InnovatorWest Asia / Global Refugee dignity, sport, youth representation and humanitarian storytelling 74.7

She is selected for reshaping how young refugees are seen: not as passive victims, but as leaders and competitors with agency. In 2020, her influence remains vital as displacement continues to define major parts of West Asian reality.

76 Shiza ShahidPakistan / United States Co-founder, Malala Fund; founder, Our PlaceMalala Fund, Our Place Social EntrepreneurSouth Asia / Global Social enterprise, education advocacy, mission-led consumer brands and women-led entrepreneurship 74.4

She is selected for translating values into multiple operating formats rather than a single campaign. In 2020, her path is an important example of Asian women shaping global conversations around purpose and business.

77 Khalida BrohiPakistan Founder, Sughar FoundationSughar Foundation and women-centered social enterprise initiatives Social InnovatorSouth Asia Women's economic empowerment, rural enterprise, craft, education and community leadership 74.1

She is selected for building social innovation that is grounded rather than symbolic. In 2020, her work remains relevant because economic inclusion for women is one of Asia's most important unfinished development challenges.

78 Melati WijsenIndonesia Co-founder, Bye Bye Plastic Bags; founder, YouthtopiaBye Bye Plastic Bags, Youthtopia Social InnovatorSoutheast Asia Youth climate action, plastic reduction, civic participation and environmental education 73.8

She is selected for demonstrating that youth-led advocacy can move from local campaign to international conversation. In 2020, environmental leadership by younger Asians is no longer peripheral; it is part of future governance.

79 Isabel WijsenIndonesia Co-founder, Bye Bye Plastic BagsBye Bye Plastic Bags Social InnovatorSoutheast Asia Youth environmental action, plastic reduction, education and community campaigns 73.5

She is selected for showing that environmental activism can be practical, young and internationally legible. In 2020, her work continues to influence how schools, communities and youth groups approach sustainability.

80 Trang NguyenVietnam Founder, WildActWildAct Social InnovatorSoutheast Asia Wildlife conservation, anti-trafficking education, biodiversity and environmental leadership 73.2

She is selected for bringing conservation into a stronger Asian public-interest frame. In 2020, the relationship between human activity, ecosystems and public health gives her field sharper relevance.

81 Anoka AbeyrathneSri Lanka Environmental entrepreneur and youth advocateSustainable development and environmental leadership initiatives Social InnovatorSouth Asia Mangrove conservation, youth leadership, climate resilience and sustainable development 72.9

She is selected for representing a smaller-market but globally relevant strand of Asian environmental leadership. In 2020, island and coastal vulnerability make climate adaptation a core future-influence theme.

82 Nidhi PantIndia Co-founder, S4S TechnologiesS4S Technologies Social EntrepreneurSouth Asia Food preservation, climate resilience, women farmers, rural supply chains and social enterprise 72.6

She is selected for working on a practical social enterprise problem with climate, food security and gender implications. In 2020, resilient food systems are central to Asia's future stability.

83 Ria SharmaIndia Founder, Make Love Not ScarsMake Love Not Scars Social InnovatorSouth Asia Acid-attack survivor support, public awareness, rehabilitation and gender justice 72.3

She is selected for building a social platform around an issue that demands both public attention and practical support. In 2020, her influence lies in changing visibility, language and empathy around survivors.

84 Naomi OsakaJapan Professional tennis player and global cultural figureGlobal tennis, athlete platform and public advocacy Cultural InnovatorEast Asia Sport, identity, fashion, mental health, anti-racism and global youth culture 72.0

She is selected because her platform changes what an Asian athlete can represent in global public life. In 2020, Osaka's voice and performance make her a defining figure in the convergence of sport and social conscience.

85 Son Heung-minSouth Korea Professional footballerTottenham Hotspur, South Korean national football profile Cultural InnovatorEast Asia Global sport, Korean soft power, youth aspiration and Asian representation in elite football 71.7

He is selected for widening the imagination of Asian excellence in the world's most global sport. In 2020, Son's influence sits at the intersection of performance, national pride and international representation.

86 RM (Kim Namjoon)South Korea Leader and artist, BTSBTS Cultural InnovatorEast Asia K-pop, global youth culture, language, fandom organization and cultural diplomacy 71.4

He is selected for helping make Korean pop culture a global conversation rather than a regional phenomenon. In 2020, BTS's reach makes RM a significant figure in Asia's cultural power.

87 G-Dragon (Kwon Ji-yong)South Korea Musician, producer and fashion figureBIGBANG, PEACEMINUSONE and solo creative work Cultural InnovatorEast Asia K-pop, fashion, youth style, art direction and Asian celebrity entrepreneurship 71.1

He is selected for shaping the template of the Asian pop star as creative director and cultural entrepreneur. In 2020, his influence remains visible in the aesthetics of K-pop and global youth fashion.

88 Lisa ManobalThailand / South Korea Artist, BLACKPINKBLACKPINK Cultural InnovatorSoutheast Asia / East Asia K-pop, dance, fashion, Thai representation and global youth culture 70.8

She is selected for expanding the geography of Asian pop stardom. In 2020, her dance, style and global fanbase make her a powerful signal of Southeast Asian representation within Korean-led cultural exports.

89 Jennie KimSouth Korea Artist, BLACKPINKBLACKPINK Cultural InnovatorEast Asia K-pop, luxury fashion, beauty, youth style and global fandom 70.5

She is selected for translating Korean pop visibility into a broader cultural and style language. In 2020, BLACKPINK's global rise gives Jennie's individual influence substantial international reach.

90 Jackson WangHong Kong / China Musician and founder, Team WangTeam Wang, solo music career Cultural InnovatorEast Asia Music, fashion, Chinese-language cultural export, personal branding and creative entrepreneurship 70.2

He is selected for moving beyond idol visibility into founder-led cultural production. In 2020, his independent creative direction makes him one of the more globally legible Chinese-language youth culture figures.

91 CL (Lee Chae-rin)South Korea Musician and performerSolo work and 2NE1 legacy Cultural InnovatorEast Asia K-pop, performance, fashion, women in music and global pop experimentation 69.9

She is selected for influence that extends beyond chart presence into attitude, image and artistic possibility. In 2020, her role remains important to the lineage of Asian women artists crossing global music and fashion.

92 Rich BrianIndonesia / United States Musician88rising-linked global music ecosystem Cultural InnovatorSoutheast Asia / Global Hip-hop, Asian youth culture, internet-born music careers and Southeast Asian representation 69.6

He is selected for changing the perception of Southeast Asian presence in global hip-hop and youth music. In 2020, his influence lies in making Asian internet-born artistry feel credible on the world stage.

93 NIKI (Nicole Zefanya)Indonesia / United States Singer-songwriter88rising-linked global music ecosystem Cultural InnovatorSoutheast Asia / Global R&B, singer-songwriter culture, Asian women in global music and youth identity 69.3

She is selected for widening the sonic and emotional range of Asian representation in global music. In 2020, her work shows that Asian cultural influence is not only mass spectacle, but also songwriting, texture and personal narrative.

94 Joji (George Kusunoki Miller)Japan / Global Musician and digital-culture artistSolo music career and internet-native creative legacy Cultural InnovatorEast Asia / Global Alternative music, internet culture, Asian creative identity and digital-era reinvention 69.0

He is selected for embodying the new path from digital subculture to mainstream creative influence. In 2020, his music and audience demonstrate how Asian artists can move through global internet culture on their own terms.

95 SuboiVietnam Rapper and cultural figureVietnamese hip-hop and independent music Cultural InnovatorSoutheast Asia Hip-hop, Vietnamese youth culture, women in music and regional creative identity 68.7

She is selected for cultural pioneering in a market that is gaining regional creative confidence. In 2020, Suboi's influence is important because she represents voice, independence and gendered possibility in Asian music.

96 YunaMalaysia Singer-songwriterGlobal solo music career Cultural InnovatorSoutheast Asia Music, modest fashion, Malaysian cultural export and Muslim women representation 68.4

She is selected for carrying Southeast Asian creative identity into international music without erasing cultural specificity. In 2020, her profile remains a reference point for artists building global careers from outside dominant pop centers.

97 Chloe ZhaoChina / United States Film director and writerIndependent cinema and global film industry Cultural InnovatorEast Asia / Global Film, storytelling, cross-cultural authorship and Asian women in cinema 68.1

She is selected for bringing a quiet but powerful directorial voice into the center of global cinema conversation. In 2020, her work signals a future in which Asian-born auteurs can shape the emotional grammar of international film.

98 Angel ChenChina Fashion designerAngel Chen Cultural InnovatorEast Asia Fashion design, Chinese youth style, color, craft and global runway visibility 67.8

She is selected for contributing to a new generation of Asian designers who are not simply local suppliers to global fashion, but authors of original visual worlds. In 2020, her influence lies in creative confidence and exportable style.

99 Minju KimSouth Korea Fashion designerMinju Kim Cultural InnovatorEast Asia Fashion design, Korean creative identity, textile imagination and global fashion visibility 67.5

She is selected for showing how Korean cultural influence extends into independent fashion design, not only music and screen culture. In 2020, her visibility strengthens the case for Asian designers as global creative authors.

100 Nuseir YassinPalestine / Israel / Singapore Founder, Nas DailyNas Daily Cultural Technology FounderWest Asia / Southeast Asia Short-form video, educational media, cross-border storytelling and creator entrepreneurship 67.2

He is selected for turning short-form social video into a repeatable media product with international reach. In 2020, his Asia-linked creator company points toward the professionalization of creator-led media.