Noël Essers, longtime leader of H.Essers, has transformed the family business founded in 1928 into one of Europe’s largest logistics and transport powerhouses. Under his stewardship, the Belgian company expanded from a regional trucking operator into a multinational provider of supply-chain solutions across pharmaceuticals, chemicals, high-value goods, warehousing, and multimodal transport. Essers spearheaded decades of strategic acquisitions, large-scale infrastructure investments, and technology upgrades, positioning H.Essers as a key partner for Europe’s most demanding industries. Known for his disciplined, long-term vision and strong family-business culture, he remains one of Belgium’s most influential industrial entrepreneurs.

Christian Dumolin, chairman and co-ceo of Koramic Investment Group, is one of Belgium’s most respected industrial and investment leaders, known for transforming a traditional brick-manufacturing company into a diversified European holding with interests spanning real estate, manufacturing, financial services, and private equity. After joining the family business in the 1970s, he led its international expansion, later steering Koramic into a broad investment platform focused on long-term value creation and operational excellence. Dumolin has served on numerous corporate boards, becoming a key figure in Belgium’s entrepreneurial landscape, while his philanthropic work in culture, education, and regional development underscores his influence beyond business.

Jef Colruyt, chairman and former CEO of the Colruyt Group, leads one of Europe’s most efficient and respected retail empires, built on a disciplined focus on low prices, operational simplicity, and long-term family stewardship. Taking the helm in 1994, he expanded the Belgian retailer into a diversified group spanning supermarkets, wholesale distribution, fuel stations, renewable energy, and digital services, all while maintaining a culture of frugality and sustainability. Under his leadership, Colruyt strengthened its position as the dominant price leader in Belgium and a key player in European retail. Known for his understated style and values-driven governance, Jef Colruyt remains one of the continent’s most influential family-business leaders.

Marc Coucke, Belgian entrepreneur and investor, built his fortune as the cofounder of Omega Pharma, transforming a small over-the-counter medicine distributor into one of Europe’s largest consumer healthcare companies before selling it to Perrigo for billions. After the sale, Coucke diversified through his investment company Alychlo, acquiring and backing businesses across pharmaceuticals, hospitality, sports, real estate, and leisure—including theme parks, luxury resorts, and the Belgian football club R.S.C. Anderlecht. Known for his charismatic style, bold dealmaking, and expansive portfolio, Coucke has become one of Belgium’s most influential business figures, blending entrepreneurial drive with high-profile investments across Europe.

Dmitry Rybolovlev, billionaire investor and art collector, built his fortune through his majority stake in Uralkali, one of the world’s largest potash producers, before divesting and shifting into global investments. Known for high-profile real estate purchases across Monaco, Switzerland, the United States, and Greece, he has also been a major figure in the international art market, assembling a celebrated—and controversial—collection of masterpieces. As owner of AS Monaco FC since 2011, Rybolovlev has guided the club through periods of strong performance, including a Ligue 1 title. Despite legal disputes and intense media attention, he remains one of Europe’s most notable and influential private investors.

Gary Klesch, founder and chairman of the Klesch Group, is a veteran industrialist known for acquiring and restructuring distressed industrial and commodity businesses across Europe. Since launching his firm in 1990, he has built a portfolio spanning chemicals, metals, refining, and energy, often stepping into complex turnaround situations that larger corporations avoid. With a reputation for decisive management, deep operational expertise, and a contrarian investment approach, Klesch has transformed underperforming assets into competitive enterprises while establishing the Klesch Group as a major player in European heavy industry.

Hansjörg Wyss, Swiss billionaire and philanthropist, built his fortune through medical device maker Synthes, which he sold to Johnson & Johnson for nearly $20 billion in 2012. An engineer by training, Wyss expanded Synthes into a global leader in orthopedic implants before turning his focus to large-scale philanthropy. Through the Wyss Foundation, he has committed billions to environmental conservation, scientific research, and public interest journalism, becoming one of the world’s most influential advocates for protecting wild lands and advancing sustainable solutions.

Daniel Ek is the Swedish-born co-founder, Chairman & CEO of Spotify, the global streaming platform launched in 2006. A tech prodigy who sold his first startup at age 23, Ek scaled Spotify to over 276 million premium subscribers and 696 million total users by mid‑2025. He also chairs Neko Health and leads European moonshot investments through Prima Materia. 

Paweł Marchewka, a Polish video game entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of Techland, the company behind globally successful titles such as Dead Island and Dying Light. As of 2023, he is one of the wealthiest individuals in Poland, with a significant influence in the gaming industry, recognized for his innovative contributions to video game development.

Conor McGregor is an Irish professional mixed martial artist and boxer, known for his charismatic personality, sharp wit, and powerful left hand. He has achieved immense success in the UFC, becoming the first fighter to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously. Beyond sports, McGregor has established himself as an entrepreneur with ventures in the whiskey industry, fashion, and more.

Pavel Durov, a Russian-born tech entrepreneur, is best known as the founder of VKontakte (VK), Russia's largest social networking site, and Telegram Messenger, a globally popular encrypted messaging platform. A strong advocate for privacy, freedom of speech, and decentralization, Durov has positioned himself as a significant figure in global digital communication.

Jorge Paulo Lemann is a Brazilian-Swiss billionaire, investment banker, and businessman. He is one of the founders of 3G Capital, a global investment firm known for its acquisitions of major companies such as Anheuser-Busch, Burger King, and Heinz. Lemann is also recognized for his low-profile lifestyle despite his significant wealth and influence in global business.

Beate Heister is a prominent German businesswoman and billionaire, known for her significant stake in Aldi Süd, one of the world's largest discount supermarket chains. She is the daughter of Karl Albrecht, co-founder of Aldi.

Karl Albrecht Jr. is a prominent German businessman and billionaire known for co-owning Aldi Süd, one of the largest discount supermarket chains globally. He is the son of Karl Albrecht Sr., who co-founded Aldi with his brother Theo Albrecht.

Renata Kellnerova is a prominent Czech businesswoman and philanthropist, widely known as the widow of Petr Kellner, the founder of PPF Group. She has played a significant role in maintaining and expanding the family's business empire following her husband's death, becoming one of the most influential women in the business world.

Charlotte Söderström, a Swedish billionaire heiress and businesswoman, is part of the influential Persson family, known for their ownership of H&M, the global fashion retail giant. Though she maintains a lower public profile compared to her siblings, her contributions to the family business and her involvement in equestrian sports make her a notable figure in the business world.

Tom Persson, a member of the influential Persson family, is known for his substantial wealth derived from H&M, the global fashion retail giant. Although less publicly visible compared to his siblings, he has a strong presence in the business and entertainment industries.

Karl-Johan Persson, a Swedish business magnate, is the chairman and former CEO of Hennes & Mauritz (H&M). He played a pivotal role in expanding H&M's global presence and is known for his commitment to sustainability and innovation in the fashion industry.

Stefan Persson, a Swedish billionaire and former chairman of Hennes & Mauritz (H&M), is known for transforming the family business into a global fashion giant. With significant influence in the retail industry, Persson has been a key figure in expanding H&M's presence worldwide.

Vicky Safra is a prominent billionaire philanthropist and businesswoman, known for her significant influence in banking and real estate. She is the widow of Joseph Safra, a Brazilian-Lebanese banking magnate, and manages the family’s vast wealth and philanthropic endeavors.