News & Media

OWU Alumnus Makes Forbes’ ‘30 Under 30’ List

Max Razmakhin Recognized for Success in Food and Drink Industry

Maxim “Max” Razmakhin’s latest accomplishment definitely deserves a champagne toast.

The 28-year-old Ohio Wesleyan University graduate rang in the New Year with news that he’d earned a spot on Forbes’ 2017 list of “30 Under 30” leaders in the food and drink category. Razmakhin, OWU Class of 2010, is a co-founder of Thirstie, Inc., an e-commerce platform for the retail alcohol industry.

“I’m absolutely thrilled and truly grateful to receive this award,” said Razmakhin, an OWU economics management major who graduated summa cum laude. “It’s something I’ve aspired to receiving for many years and imagine that it will be something that will assist me in my professional career for years to come.”

“I still can’t believe it’s a reality,” he continued, “and I feel both honored and humbled to join past recipients including the likes of Mark Zuckerberg and others that I have respected and admired for years.”

Since Thirstie’s founding in 2014, the company has raised $2.5 million in total capital and, by partnering with hundreds of licensed retail partners, now delivers products to consumers in 10 markets in less than an hour and ships premium products to consumers in most U.S. locations in under three days. Thirstie recently launched its first enterprise solution, Thirstie Inside, enabling liquor brands to sell directly to consumers for the first time.

Among the many people Razmakhin credits for helping him in his entrepreneurial endeavors are fellow Bishops Devaraj Southworth ’94, Thirstie’s co-founder and CEO; Peter Scholtz ’74, who helped Razmakhin get his first job after college; and Darrell Albon, OWU’s director of International and Off-Campus Programs, whom Razmakhin calls “a colleague and friend to all international students.”

In addition to the many people who supported him, Razmakhin said, his Ohio Wesleyan experience has benefitted him in other ways, as well.

“OWU has not only provided me with a foundational liberal arts education, but in addition real-world experiences critical to advancing my career,” the New York City resident said.

“I had heard tremendous things about The Woltemade Center for Economics, Business and Entrepreneurship early on,” he said. “The center’s mission to provide real-world opportunities in addition to top-notch academics was extremely appealing to me. The ability to have access to a variety of experts – including professors, business leaders, and alumni, both in and out of the classroom – was equally attractive and one of the primary reasons I selected OWU as a home.”

Congratulations, Max, from everyone at Ohio Wesleyan. We wish you much continued success!