THE BOSTON GLOBE NAMES WILL AHMED, RYAN DURKIN TO 2026 TECH POWER PLAYERS 50 LIST

Among Top Tech Leaders Honored by New England’s News Source

BOSTON, MA, June 9, 2026 – Will Ahmed and Ryan Durkin from WHOOP have been named to The Boston Globe’s fifth annual Tech Power Players 50 list of the most influential, accomplished, and interesting people influencing the technology and business industries in New England. This marks Ahmed's third appearance on the list and Durkin's first.

This recognition comes amid a year of significant growth and impact for WHOOP. In January, WHOOP launched the Massachusetts AI Coalition alongside leading startups and venture capital firms to accelerate AI innovation and strengthen collaboration across the Commonwealth's technology ecosystem. As Founding Chair, WHOOP has convened industry leaders around shared priorities, fostering a coalition designed to advance Massachusetts' leadership in AI.

In March, WHOOP announced plans to create more than 600 new roles as the company continues to expand globally. The majority of these positions - spanning engineering, data science, research, creative, and commercial teams - will be based in Boston, underscoring the company’s long-term commitment to growing its workforce and investing in the region's innovation economy.

Earlier this year, WHOOP also announced a $575 million Series G financing at a $10.1 billion valuation. The round included participation from some of the most recognizable names in global sport, including Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James, Rory McIlroy, and other elite athletes who share the WHOOP mission of unlocking human performance and healthspan.

“WHOOP is in one of the most exciting chapters of our growth,” said Will Ahmed, Founder and CEO of WHOOP. “What makes me most proud is the impact we're having: providing millions of people a deeper understanding of their health. Boston has been an incredible home for WHOOP, and we're looking forward to investing more in the talent and community that have helped fuel our growth.”

The 2026 Tech Power Players 50 list features leaders from higher ed, health care, energy and climate-tech, cybersecurity, and AI. This year’s honorees reflect a dynamic range of leaders driving meaningful progress across organizations of all sizes, from legacy institutions and established companies to emerging startups.

Candidates for this year’s list were selected by the Globe’s newsroom, with much deliberation among the business and technology team, led by Gregory T. Huang, the Globe’s business editor. The team sought out and selected candidates who have demonstrated significant effect on the region’s tech sector and are driving real change and growth across the industry. 

“After years of covering Boston’s business and tech landscape, I haven't seen this level of energy and momentum in a long time,” said Huang. “The buzz right now is unmistakable, and it made this year’s list especially compelling. The people we’ve recognized are leading at a moment that feels significant.”

Explore the full list of Tech Power Players when it’s released on June 9 at globe.com/tech50 and in a commemorative print issue of Globe Magazine available on June 14. 

To learn more about WHOOP, please visit whoop.com.

About WHOOP WHOOP delivers a wearable membership to help people live healthier, longer lives and unlock extraordinary potential. Through a powerful 24/7 wearable with a 14-day battery life, WHOOP provides intelligent health guidance across sleep, recovery, strain, fitness, and longevity. The health platform includes an FDA-cleared ECG, a Healthspan longevity feature, Blood Pressure Insights, and Advanced Labs blood biomarker analysis. Research shows that people who wear WHOOP daily log more than 90 additional minutes of exercise per week, get over two extra hours of sleep, and have 10% higher heart rate variability.

Trusted by millions of members worldwide including athletes, global leaders, military operators, executives, and artists, WHOOP has become a modern symbol of disciplined, intentional living. WHOOP was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Boston. The company has raised more than $950 million in venture capital, ships to 56 countries, and operates in six languages. To learn more or start a one-month free trial, visit whoop.com and connect with WHOOP on Instagram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

About Boston Globe Media:

Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC is a locally owned, award-winning media company serving Boston and New England for over 153 years. Its cornerstone is The Boston Globe, a 27-time Pulitzer Prize-winning news source and one of the most successful metro news organizations in the United States. The Globe is headquartered in Boston with regional bureaus in Washington, D.C., Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. The Globe has been successfully growing its direct subscriber base, today boasting the highest total number of subscribers the organization has had since 2008. The Globe hosts events that connect community members to its journalism and provides a range of digital and home-delivered advertising solutions that reach more consumers than any other New England media brand. Boston Globe Media's portfolio includes The Boston Globe, Globe.com, Boston.com, STAT, The B-Side, Globe Publishing Services, Globe Events, Studio/B, and Boston magazine.