Fast Company editors and writers judge each Most Innovative Companies application according to four criteria: innovation, impact, timeliness, and relevance.
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Innovation: Does the company have a clear innovation (or innovations) and did it demonstrate how this innovation sets it apart from other companies and general current industry trends? Examples of innovations can include: products, services, a new business model, a strategic acquisition that signals a reimagining of the business, etc.
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Impact: Did the innovation have a clear, measured impact on the company and its industry? Did the company show how it has measured the impact of its innovation and provide data as evidence of its success? Examples of data can include: revenue, revenue growth, user growth, impressions, qualitative impacts on culture or industry, etc.
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Timeliness: Did the innovation happen within the past 12 months? Or—if the innovation is older—did the company provide evidence of meaningful iterative advances this year and how the impact from the innovation has been realized in the past 12 months?
- Relevance: As much as possible, did the company explain how the innovation connects to current events or larger issues faced by industry or society?
Applications for the 2025 Most Innovative Companies list are now closed. Sign up for notifications here when applications open for next year!
Have any questions or concerns? Email the Most Innovative Companies Team at micapplications@fastcompany.com