Introducing Silicon Valley Business Journal's 40 Under 40 for 2016

Our editorial staff had quite a challenge this year with selecting our 40 Under 40: Whittling down the almost 200 nominations down to a mere, well, 40.

We enjoyed reading the nominations and getting to know the startup executives, lawyers, educators, finance gurus, nonprofit leaders and other up-and-comers in Silicon Valley.

The youngest is 27; the oldest, 39. See the infographic at the end of this story for a breakdown of their ages.

We're asked each year how we choose our 40 under 40. Our…