Since launching San-Francisco based HR startup Deel in 2019, Bouaziz has helped giants like Nike, Coca-Cola and Condé Nast hire talent from around the world—faster and with fewer regulatory headaches. This month, Deel announced a $300 million fundraise from Ribbit Capital, Coatue and Andreessen Horowitz, bringing its valuation to a staggering $17.3 billion and making Bouaziz and cofounder Shuo Wang worth some $2 billion apiece. 

Deel’s model is simple: Companies make the hires—freelance or full-time—while Deel manages the complex web of international compliance and payroll. Beyond the Coca-Colas of the world, Deel has found a sweet spot in helping startups hire international workers, too, which was once rare due to the steep costs and regulatory red tape.

Much of the global hiring boom has to do with the Covid-19 pandemic giving room to the new norm of remote work. So, obviously, Deel hasn’t been without competitors. Rival Papaya Global was an early competitor; now Rippling has emerged as the main challenger. Deel currently leads on valuation with its new raise, but Rippling’s CEO, Parker Conrad, holds the larger personal fortune—estimated at $3.4 billion.

But this isn’t the first time Bouaziz and Wang have taken on billionaire status. In 2022, Deel was valued at $12 billion, then the startup’s valuation soon fell on secondary markets to some $7 billion, making the founders’ first stay on the billionaires list short-lived. Then in March, a secondary sale share deal valued the startup at $12.6 billion, giving both cofounders a $1.5 billion net worth.

Deel itself has surpassed $1 billion in annual revenue, but the rapid rise has come with consequences. In 2023, Bouaziz appeared before lawmakers in Washington amid scrutiny over Deel’s compliance practices, including allegations that the company had classified its own full-time employees as contractors. Now he’s in a legal battle with Rippling, with both companies accusing each other of corporate espionage in lawsuits filed earlier this year.

Bouaziz insists, “We don’t think about [Rippling] at all,” though the rivalry has spilled into court. He recently sat down with Forbes to discuss Deel’s latest raise and the heated competition. 

Read more here.

See you next week,

Zoya and Alex

-Under 30 Europe Retail & Ecommerce lister Aasiyah Abdulsalam founded The Renatural in 2019. This week, the beauty brand announced The Signature Wig Collection, which is a line of hyper-realistic wigs with no lace, glue or tape. What’s more, the new collection is made possible by The Renatural’s newly built robotics system that can produce wigs at scale. The wigmaking process that traditionally takes weeks can now be done in under an hour with their patented robots. To back up their growth, the startup also announced a $4.2 million seed round this week—with backers like Watchfire Ventures (which led the round) and Mark Cuban.

The following has been slightly edited for length and clarity. 

How do you describe your job today? My most important role is serving as the series host of the official FIFA World Cup 2026 documentary, Stories from the Cities. The series explores the culture, pride and footballing spirit of all 16 host cities across North America. My job is to help bring those stories to life, connecting fans around the world to the people, places, and emotions that will define the world’s biggest sporting event.

What’s a typical day in the life like? On a documentary shoot day with the fantastic team at Noah Media, we usually start around 6 a.m. Each day begins with meeting the local production crew. Every city has its own identity, so I’ll often record the opening monologue while driving through the city’s streets in English or Spanish, depending on where we are. After that, we’ll capture voiceovers and move on to meet our local guide at the first location of the day.

We typically shoot at four or five major spots daily, each chosen to help tell that city’s unique story, from iconic landmarks to hidden corners where football and culture intersect. It’s the most fulfilling work I’ve ever done, and I can’t wait to see it all brought to life ahead of the World Cup.

What made you interested in sports reporting in the first place? As a former Division I and international footballer, I wanted to stay close to the game that defined my life after my playing career ended. 

I started as a social media intern with no intention of being on camera, but life has a funny way of fulfilling your destiny. With the encouragement of incredible mentors who pushed me past my comfort zone, I discovered that same rush of adrenaline and pursuit of improvement in reporting that I once found on the football pitch.

What about being a D1 athlete do you feel you still embody today? Has anything from that experience helped you in your career? The confidence I carry as a woman in this industry stems directly from growing up as an athlete. Training and competing at a high level taught me to view failure differently; it’s not something to fear, but something to seek, because it almost always brings growth. That mindset of constant improvement drives me daily, whether I’m live on air, building my brand, or exploring new creative directions.

Is there another sports reporter or someone in the industry in general you look up to? Alex Scott is someone I deeply admire. Her journey from former English international player to broadcaster and now to producer and documentary storyteller parallels my own in many ways. She’s expanded the role of a presenter beyond football coverage into cultural storytelling, which is the direction I want to take my career: redefining global football storytelling through culture, creativity, fashion, and connection.

So much has changed in sports over the last few years, especially in the US. What’s a prediction you have about the future of the sports industry? I think we’re witnessing a fundamental shift in how fans consume sports content. Influencers and streamers with loyal fan bases are creating new ways for audiences to experience the game, often in more personal and engaging ways than traditional broadcasting. The power of these creators becoming key storytellers in the sports landscape is fascinating and empowering. I see a future where traditional media and digital creators work hand-in-hand to redefine how the world watches and connects with sport.

What’s your favorite hobby outside of work? Playing soccer still makes me feel most alive. I also love yoga and long walks with friends… truly anything that allows me to give back to the body that’s carried me through so much brings me joy and helps me reset.

Is there anything you can’t live without? I can’t live without laughter. Earlier in my career, I took myself far too seriously, afraid that any mistake would define me. Over time, I’ve learned that being able to laugh at myself, with others, and at life brings perspective, resilience, and joy. Today, I choose to enjoy the work I do and laugh when I make mistakes rather than crucify myself. 

How has social media been used to build your career? Social media allowed the world to see who I am, both professionally and personally. One of the most significant turning points in my career came when a live, bilingual interview I did went viral on Twitter. That moment led to industry executives reaching out, and soon I was covering the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

Beyond visibility, social media gave me the freedom to build an authentic personal brand beyond the microphone. It’s allowed me to collaborate with dream partners like Nike, Adidas, and Coca-Cola and to connect with audiences who value honesty, creativity, and passion for the game. It’s been the foundation for building multiple avenues of my career.

Have some news for us? Send any updates to 30under30tipline@forbes.com.