Innovation Report 2025
How top companies scale bold ideas
We spoke to the world's boldest innovators. Here’s what they have in common.
Fast Company’s 50 Most Innovative Companies is a global snapshot of brands reshaping business, tech, and culture. When we surveyed and interviewed a selection of this year’s leaders, clear patterns emerged.
Innovation is their strategy—almost all aim to grow beyond their core. They don’t outspend their peers on R&D; they spend differently, focusing on transformative innovation. And they conquer risk aversion by separating their big bets from everyday innovations.
No surprise, AI already plays a central and growing role. But it’s no substitute for imagination or understanding real customer needs. Instead, leaders use AI to dream bigger and know their customers better. Much bigger. And much better.
We spoke to the world's boldest innovators. Here’s what they have in common.
Fast Company’s 50 Most Innovative Companies is a global snapshot of brands reshaping business, tech, and culture. When we surveyed and interviewed a selection of this year’s leaders, clear patterns emerged.
Innovation is their strategy—almost all aim to grow beyond their core. They don’t outspend their peers on R&D; they spend differently, focusing on transformative innovation. And they conquer risk aversion by separating their big bets from everyday innovations.
No surprise, AI already plays a central and growing role. But it’s no substitute for imagination or understanding real customer needs. Instead, leaders use AI to dream bigger and know their customers better. Much bigger. And much better.
