Forbes 30 Under 30 recognition for alumna Wynter Karo

Congratulations to Leeds University Business School alumna Wynter Karo (International Business, 2018), who has been named in the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list for 2025.

Wynter has been recognised in the ‘Retail and E-commerce category’ for her work as co-founder of Pimentae, a premium tequila cocktail brand that has grown rapidly since its launch in 2021. This accolade places her among a distinguished group of young innovators making a global impact across a range of industries. 

Co-founded with fellow Leeds University Business School graduate Alice Parmiter (Business Management, 2018), Pimentae was born out of a shared desire to bring bar-quality cocktails into people’s homes without compromising on ingredients or experience. 

The brand now offer four signature flavours of canned margaritas – grapefruit, spicy, cucumber and classic – which are stocked in major retailers including Waitrose, Selfridges, Ocado and John Lewis - they are even served on board British Airways flights.

“Being named in Forbes 30 Under 30 feels like rare validation in a world where start-ups are constantly told 9 out of 10 will fail,” Wynter said. “This recognition is a powerful reminder that with relentless belief and resilience, it's possible to defy the odds - even in a category dominated by global giants.”

The Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list celebrates exceptional individuals under the age of 30 who are redefining their industries. Each individual is carefully chosen by a panel of expert judges, based on key criteria including social impact, innovation, scalability, and revenue.

Since launching Pimentae, they have raised over £2 million in venture capital funding - including from global companies such as Diageo - the world’s largest alcohol company. Last year, the brand surpassed £1 million in sales and they are preparing to expand into key European markets.

Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey, Wynter credits the Business School for shaping her mindset and approach: “My time at Leeds University Business School was fundamental in shaping the way I think about opportunity, risk and leadership. It gave me the confidence to challenge archaic norms whilst offering me some of the fundamental tools to bring an idea to life – both of which were essential when launching Pimentae in 2021.”

Wynter’s inclusion in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2025 list is a remarkable achievement - not just for her personally, but for the Leeds University Business School alumni community. It celebrates her entrepreneurial success and the bold impact she’s making in a highly competitive global industry.

Read more about this year’s Forbes 30 Under 30 innovators and find out how they make the list.