“H
uman-to-human connection has always been a core pillar of our success,” says Avante Price, 24, who dropped out of NYU to launch Posh—a platform that lets users discover events, connect with other attendees, and even host their own. Price cofounded the startup with cofounder Eli Taylor-Lemire, 24, in 2020, and has since built the app to 6 million users by promoting events—from dinner parties to massive music festivals. Posh has powered more than $300 million in ticket sales since its inception, bringing the startup $10 million in 2024 revenue—it takes a 10% cut on every ticket sold.
Posh’s blend of community and commerce captures the theme of this year’s Under 30 Marketing & Advertising class of founders and marketing leaders turning fast-moving technologies into new engines of creativity and connection. As the boundaries between tech, entertainment and advertising blur, these innovators are building tools, platforms and campaigns that reflect how people actually engage with brands today.
Some are leveraging AI to reimagine the creative process. At Rella, cofounders Natalie Barbu, 29, Natacha Bomparte, 26, Connor Boyce, 27, and Nick Kane, 27, created Ella, an in-house AI creative assistant that helps influencers and marketing teams brainstorm, plan and analyze campaigns. Similarly, Gabriel Adzich, 28, and Adam Rodriguez, 26, at WKNDHRS use their AI platform to generate more than 1,000 client requests monthly – including content, designs and photoshoots – fueling a company that’s already surpassed $5 million in revenue. And Brennen Bliss, 26, founder of Propellic, is using AI to help clients like travel guide company Frommers and travel research company Phocuswright win the social media algorithms that increasingly shape how consumers discover content.
