CATEGORIES
Agriculture (New!)
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
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Items for your house or office that help you live a more purposeful life, or fundamentally alter outdated business models or supply chains of consumer goods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
Crypto and Blockchain (New!)
Apps, platforms, and new applications related to cryptocurrency and blockchain technology that focus on equity, accessibility, and mitigating the environmental impact
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
Enterprise (New!)
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 (New!)
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
Medical innovations that save lives, extend longevity, or increase access to care, including those rolled out in response to COVID-19
Impact Investing
Impact funds, social impact bonds, and other investments in change-making organizations or initiatives that generate societal benefit along with financial return
Marketing and PR (New!)
Campaigns and initiatives created by agencies and firms that are designed to raise awareness of issues and make the world a better place
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 to solve nature-based issues
Personal Finance (New!)
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 (New!)
Products, services, or platforms rolled out as a response to natural disasters, pandemics, or other crises that have the potential to scale and/or be replicated
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, the main feature of which is a software component, in any discipline
Student
Projects in any category that are designed to make a difference, created by undergraduate or graduate students
Sustainability and 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
Transportation
Projects that get you places whether on two wheels or four 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 employee rights, or make work safer, smarter, or more meaningful
Best World Changing Idea APAC
The best world-changing ideas serving or headquartered in the Asia-Pacific region
Best World Changing Idea EMEA
The best world-changing ideas serving or headquartered in Europe, the Middle East, or Africa
Best World Changing Idea LATAM
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 Business- Fewer than 100 Employees
World-changing projects from companies with fewer than 100 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 1,000 or more employees
On the Rise- 0-4 Years in Business
World-changing projects from companies that have been in business in 4 years or less
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 15 years or more
General Excellence
The broadest ideas, be they new government policies, new business models, or new consumer categories, that have the potential to effect true systems change or solve wicked problems
World Changing Company of the Year
The most world-changing company of the year, selected by Fast Company editors. Companies will be judged on the quality, breadth, and ambition of their submitted work.
The 2023 World Changing Ideas applications are now closed.
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Have any questions or concerns? Email the World Changing Ideas Team at WCIAwards@FastCompany.com