Since 2008, Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies has been the definitive source for recognizing the organizations that are transforming industries and shaping society. Last year, Fast Company recognized more than 400 organizations with this prestigious honor, from the largest companies in the world to small startups with just a few employees. With innovation more important than ever this year, Fast Company is looking forward to recognizing the organizations that are moving the world forward.
For full application details, see the FAQ’s.
Every submission for the 2023 Most Innovative Companies will be individually evaluated by a team of Fast Company editors and reporters.
Final Deadline: September 23 ($995)
WHY APPLY
Brand Exposure
Be seen and evaluated by Fast Company editors and reporters
Opportunities
Speaking engagements at Fast Company events and exclusive invitations to influencer-only events
Credibility
Gain the Fast Company stamp of approval for creating a truly breakthrough technology
Break News
Tell your organization’s story to the world for the first time; highlight the success of teams within your organization—or partners who’ve helped with your success
Visibility
Appear in the March/April 2023 issue of Fast Company and on fastcompany.com
ELIGIBILITY
Organizations may apply under 54 industry categories and must demonstrate how their innovations from the past year have impacted their business, their industry, and the broader culture. Companies and nonprofits of all sizes will be considered. For full application details, see the rules and FAQs.
Final Deadline: September 23 ($995)
CATEGORIES
Advertising
The agencies, technologies, and ideas advancing the business of persuasion
Agriculture (New!)
The companies improving how we feed the world and creating less stress on the planet
Architecture
Firms and commissions that are transforming the built world
Artificial Intelligence
Algorithmically powered products that are changing how humans interact with computers
Augmented and Virtual Reality
The firms creating the future of tech-powered immersive entertainment and experiences
Beauty
The science and marketing of cosmetics
Biotech
The therapies and new solutions using biological science to solve medical problems
Branding
Marketers redefining and elevating the identities of their companies or brands
Business Services (New!)
The secret engines of corporate innovation, including consulting, legal, and other fee-based firms
Consumer Electronics
The new gadgets improving people’s lives
Consumer Goods (New)
Pioneering products and brands that are transforming consumers' daily lives
Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate initiatives that meaningfully make a positive contribution to a company’s community and stakeholders
Crypto/ Blockchain/ Web3/ Metaverse (New!)
The organizations building the future of the internet
Data Science
Companies building a competitive advantage through their unique cache of intelligence
Design
The companies and firms reshaping business through industrial design, design thinking, and new user experiences
Dining
The restaurants and food service companies adapting to changing customer demands
Education
New approaches to improving learning
Energy/Sustainability (New!)
Novel initiatives that address climate change
Enterprise
Organizations offering software as a service and other technologies that make other businesses more efficient and effective
Fashion and Apparel (New!)
The companies influencing the future of clothing and how we express ourselves through style
Film and Television
The companies developing breakthrough programming—and rethinking how content is marketed and released
Finance
The products, technologies, and firms facilitating how businesses manage their fiscal assets
Food
Businesses that are developing the food products, distribution systems, and technologies that are transforming the way we eat
Gaming
Cutting-edge play that entertains, enlightens, and fosters new communities
Healthcare (New!)
The systems, hospitals, and services delivering care, empowering patients, and lowering costs
Live Events
Bringing people together in real or virtual life to create indelible, shared moments
Logistics
The businesses doing their part to ameliorate supply-chain challenges for their customers
Manufacturing
The facilities reinventing their processes to promote flexibility, efficiency, and worker well-being
Media
The businesses inventing or reinventing the future of news
Medical Devices
Hardware and gadgets that are changing how healthcare is delivered
Medicines and Therapeutics
Advances in treatments, vaccines, and drugs that help people live longer, healthier lives
Music
The artists, labels, streamers, promoters, and anyone else making beautiful noise
Not-for-Profit
Fashioning the future of philanthropy
Personal Finance
The services powering wealth-building opportunities for everyone
Rapid Response (New)
Innovative projects, products, or services created or deployed to react quickly to a major current event
Retail
Fresh approaches to selling goods and services
Robotics
The companies finding creative ways of integrating robotics into our lives and our work
Security
Keeping people and companies safe from the new digital warfare
Social Good
For-profit companies doing their part to make the world a better place
Social Media
Daring strategies and new platforms for meeting people where they live
Space
The startups and stalwarts commercializing the final frontier
Sports
The teams, leagues, products, and off-the-field all-stars scoring in the business of play
Transportation
Who’s driving new mobility solutions and clean alternatives to traditional conveyances
Travel and Hospitality (New!)
The businesses enabling new ways to explore the world and making people feel welcome wherever they are
Urban Development/Real Estate
The landscapes, properties, and thoughtful initiatives defining how we live today
Video
The players designing new platforms and novel ways to consume media
Wellness
The products and services redefining fitness and self-care
Workplace
Companies that have adopted services, policies, and programs that fulfill their employees’ needs—and make them happier
Asia-Pacific
Companies headquartered in the Asia-Pacific whose innovations embody the best ideals of the region and/or work to solve problems inherent to the area
Europe, Middle East, and Africa
Companies headquartered in EMEA whose innovations embody the best ideals of the region and/or work to solve problems inherent to the area
Latin America
Companies headquartered in Latin America whose innovations embody the best ideals of the region and/or work to solve problems inherent to the area
North America
Companies headquartered in North America whose innovations embody the best ideals of the region and/or work to solve problems inherent to the area
Small and Mighty: Under 10 Employees
Organizations with less than 10 employees but big ideas that put them at the vanguard of the next generation of innovators
Small and Mighty: 10-100 Employees
Organizations who have between 10 and 100 employees with big ideas that put them at the vanguard of the next generation of innovators