REC Philly’s Dave Silver and Will Toms were just named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list

Dynamic entrepreneurship duo Dave Silver and Will Toms set out a few years ago to provide a space and community for creatives in Philly to gather, do their thing and build businesses.

And in the process, the pair built their own: REC Philly, which now has an expansive HQ in Center City; hundreds of members; an educational component; and an ever-changing game plan (thanks, pandemic). While we here at Techncial.ly have known the two were real for a while, media empire Forbes took notice this year, too.

On Tuesday, Silver and Toms, both 29, were named on Forbes’ 10th annual 30 Under 30 List in the social impact category.

Forbes 30 Under 30 ✅

We are HONORED to announce REC’s Co-Founders @TheWillToms & @DaveSilver__ have been selected as @Forbes 2021 30 Under 30 List for the Social Impact category.

Forbes Article: https://t.co/KFpnFQGkZB pic.twitter.com/edEMDPunno

— REC Philly (@recarchive) December 1, 2020

The publication called out the org’s offerings, saying the “gym membership for creatives” spans across international communities and offers tools allowing them to pursue their passions. It also gives props for building a team of 20 and raising more than $3 million.

“Forbes 30 Under 30 has always been a bucket list item for us. But we’ve said since we were 17 that we were going to make it on there,” Silver told Techncial.ly. “And here we are. It means so much to be recognized at this level. It continues to solidify the work we are doing in our community, and sets us up for our national growth plans on the horizon. I always have to thank our REC Team for believing in our mission since day one.”

Toms echoed that statement, saying it feels good to be recognized by peers for being “one of the best at what you do.”

“Dave and I always knew the work we do is important, so platforms like this create a great opportunity to spotlight and grow REC’s impact,” Toms said. “I’m very grateful for that. This one’s a win for creators everywhere. Here’s to serving 100,000 creators worldwide.”

CAT’S OUT THE BAG! 30 under 30!

So incredibly proud of my bosses, my best friends, my brothers, my team ♥️ https://t.co/xjVnWjX87n

— $carlet (@ScarletEstelle) December 1, 2020

https://twitter.com/lewisjacquie/status/1333819895423897601

https://twitter.com/pbuck/status/1333807211852730370

It warms my heart to see this amazing and VERY deserved honor for @recphilly_ @DaveSilver__ and @TheWillToms.

Congratulations to you both, and to your REC team! https://t.co/O30K10Ehy7

— Danielle Pinto (@danielle_pinto) December 1, 2020

From firsthand experience working for @TheWillToms & @DaveSilver__ I can tell you this recognition was well overdue. Congrats fellas ✊🏽 https://t.co/ctwHIL7n5f

— non-fungible (@goodjobamir) December 1, 2020

Other notable Philly entrepreneurs on the 2020 list are Orai’s three founders: Danish Dhamani, Aasim Sani and Paritosh Gupta. The speech coaching app startup was a part of Comcast NBCUniversal’s LIFT Labs Accelerator 2017 cohort, as well as Technical.ly Philly’s 2017 RealLIST Startups.

Investor AJ Okereke and Sixers player Ben Simmons also made this year’s list.

Check out last year’s 30 Under 30 honorees from Philly.