The 2024 World-Changing Ideas applications are now closed.
Advertising
TV, print, or digital campaigns designed to draw attention to social issues and inspire people to act or to promote meaningful products or services
Agriculture
Technology, hardware, or processes that make farming more sustainable
AI and Data
Projects that harness the power of data, machine learning, or artificial intelligence to understand the world and empower change
Apps
Mission-driven projects that live primarily in a mobile format, in any discipline
Architecture
Buildings that have a positive impact, whether through sustainability, energy efficiency, or accessibility
Art and Design
Projects using design as the vehicle to address society’s most pressing issues
Beauty and Fashion (New)
Products or services that make apparel, cosmetics, or skincare more ethical and sustainable
Climate
Projects designed to limit emissions, reverse global warming, mitigate the impacts of climate change, help build resilience, or otherwise help solve climate issues
Consumer Products
Items for your house or office that help you live a more purposeful life, or fundamentally alter outdated business models or supply chains of consumer goods
Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate initiatives that use a company’s platform and power to help advance change, either internally or for the community
Developing-World Technology
Products designed specifically to improve the lives and livelihoods of those in the developing world
Education
Companies, organizations, or initiatives that help inspire better and more equitable learning
Energy
Solar, wind, or any other creative solution for creating clean power (either for personal use or at a large scale) or new systems for better electricity distribution
Enterprise
Innovative approaches to B2B products and services that make systems more equitable, sustainable, or accessible
Experimental
Concepts, prototypes, and just-launched ideas that may not have clear impact but have the potential to change how we think
Finance
Banking apps, trading tools, and other products and services that make finance more equitable, sustainable, or accessible
Food
Projects changing what we eat, how we eat, and how we get our food
Health Products (New)
Hardware, devices, drugs, or treatments that are making healthcare delivery more equitable and accessible
Health Services (New)
Healthcare delivery systems that save lives, increase access to care, or solve problems in the healthcare industry
Impact Investing
Impact funds, social impact bonds, and other investments in changemaking organizations or initiatives that generate societal benefit along with financial return
Marketing and PR
Campaigns and initiatives created by agencies and firms that are designed to raise awareness of issues and make the world a better place
Materials (New)
Innovative approaches that make any type of material—from products and packaging to fabric and concrete—more sustainable
Media and Entertainment
Movies, books, videos, and other projects that expose systemic issues or create actionable change
Nature
Projects that support conservation, increase biodiversity, protect threatened animals and ecosystems, or otherwise help solve nature-based issues
Personal Finance
Apps, initiatives, and other products and services that help people better manage their money
Politics and Policy
Innovative campaigns or policy initiatives that challenge the status quo for the benefit of the environment, equity, and society
Rapid Response
Products, services, or platforms rolled out as a response to natural disasters, pandemics, or other crises, which have the potential to scale and/or be replicated
Science and Technology (New)
Scientific or technological advancements that have the potential to improve our quality of life, make materials more renewable, or reinvent products for the better.
Social Justice
Projects that help advance the cause of civil rights for marginalized people or groups
Software
Projects designed to make the world more equitable, sustainable, or accessible, where the main feature is a software component, in any discipline
Students
Projects in any category that are designed to make a difference, created by undergraduate or graduate students
Sustainability
Initiatives, products, or services that address climate change and other environmental challenges
Transportation
Projects that get you places in new, interesting, and fuel-efficient ways
Urban Design
Landscapes, public spaces, initiatives, and policies that make cities cleaner, more efficient, more beautiful, and more equitable for their citizens
Water
Projects designed to increase access to clean water, fight drought, protect oceans, or otherwise help solve water-related issues
Wellness
Products and projects that improve either personal or global well-being, from equipment to apps to consumables
Workplace
Projects that improve our lives in the office, increase employees’ rights, or make work safer, smarter, or more meaningful
Best World-Changing Idea Asia-Pacific
The best world-changing ideas serving or headquartered in the Asia-Pacific region
Best World-Changing Idea Europe, Middle East, and Africa
The best world-changing ideas serving or headquartered in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
Best World-Changing Idea Latin America
The best world-changing ideas serving or headquartered in Latin America
Best World Changing Idea NA
The best world-changing ideas serving or headquartered in North America
Small and Mighty: Under 50 Employees
World-changing projects from companies with fewer than 50 employees
Small and Mighty: 51–199 Employees
World-changing projects from companies with between 51 and 199 employees
Midsize Business: 100–999 Employees
World-changing projects from companies with between 100 and 999 employees
Large Business: 1,000+ Employees
World-changing projects from companies with more than 1,000 employees
On the Rise: 0–4 Years in Business
World-changing projects from companies that have been in business less than 4 years
Established Excellence: 5–14 Years in Business
World-changing projects from companies that have been in business between 5 and 14 years
Enduring Impact: 15+ Years in Business
World-changing projects from companies that have been in business more than 15 years
General Excellence
The broadest ideas, be they new government policies, new business models, or entire new consumer categories—anything that has the potential to effect true systems change or solve wicked problems
World Changing Company of the Year
A company that submits multiple projects that show its commitment to sustainability, equity, and/or accessibility. Fast Company editors judge this category on the quality, breadth, and ambition of the submissions
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