Ukrainians in Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe ’26: Pleso Therapy founders among visionaries in science and healthcare

Forbes has recently published its annual list of the most influential young leaders from across Europe whose achievements and innovations are reshaping our understanding of science, the arts, industry, finance, and other key sectors.

This year, the 30 Under 30 Europe list in the Science & Healthcare category includes the founders of the Ukrainian company Pleso Therapy. Pleso Therapy is an online platform that helps people find the right psychotherapist and provides accessible, convenient online mental health support.

27-year-old Oleksandr Bondarev, 25-year-old Vitalii Marchenko, and 26-year-old Oleksii Yakubenko are the only Ukrainians represented in this category.

Moreover, they are the only founders of a business with a clearly defined Ukrainian background in this list throughout the entire history of Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe, and the list has been on since 2016.

In 2026, the Forbes Science & Healthcare selection focuses on young entrepreneurs, researchers, and medical professionals who use artificial intelligence to expand patient capabilities and tackle complex scientific challenges. The spotlight is on practical solutions that are already transforming the quality and accessibility of healthcare services today.

Pleso Therapy integrates AI into psychotherapy to address the challenge of accurately matching patients with the right specialist. The platform’s algorithms analyze a user’s request, emotional state, and individual needs to recommend a therapist best suited to their specific situation. This approach significantly reduces the time needed to find support and improves the effectiveness of therapy. Today, the project operates across Central and Eastern Europe, helping people access relevant mental health support faster and with higher precision.

The 2026 ranking clearly demonstrates that artificial intelligence is evolving into a tool that not only optimizes healthcare systems but also directly contributes to saving lives.

Alongside Pleso Therapy, Forbes also highlights projects that are transforming approaches to diagnostics, treatment, and scientific research.
The list features:

AI agents that assist radiologists in detecting cancer earlier and more accurately;

a “pocket neurologist” app capable of identifying pathologies through eye-movement analysis;

a platform that automates routine stages of scientific research and accelerates the path from hypothesis to results.
Despite the dominance of digital innovation, Forbes also recognizes breakthroughs in hard solutions and biology.

The list includes scientists and entrepreneurs working on:
prosthetic hands without batteries or motors; “soft robotics” implants that are not detected by the immune system; devices for instant diagnosis of sepsis and pneumonia.

The inclusion of the Pleso Therapy founders in the ranking highlights the growing competitiveness of Ukrainian-developed solutions in the European HealthTech market. It also signals the increasing importance of digital mental health services, where personalization and speed of access to care are becoming critically important.