Cars still can’t drive themselves everywhere a human can. Robots can’t replace every human manufacturing worker. But those stubborn facts should not distract us from the interesting and creative work being done to expand the ability of robots and drones to help humans do their jobs.
Flock Safety
For putting drones into a public safety role
In October 2024, Flock acquired
The Googles and Microsofts of the world hardly have a monopoly on innovation. Indeed, a number of recent tech breakthroughs have been delivered from organizations that aren’t even five years old. Who says youth is wasted on the young?
Codeium
For using AI to make developers’ lives easier
Codeium offers an AI-driven coding toolkit designed to streamline software development by providing intelligent, context-aware code suggesti
Attorneys for Amazon and Elon Musk’s SpaceX argued in a federal appeals court Monday that the National Labor Relations Board’s structure is unconstitutional, advancing a legal fight that may last into the
Many promising ideas originate and thrive well outside of Silicon Valley and other American tech centers. In fact, international startups often focus on needs and interests that U.S. tech-investment hotspots might overlook. These companies not only drive change in their regions but also push the boundaries of what’s possible globally, introducing fresh perspectives, solutions, and technologies that address critical needs across borders.
Adalat AI
For s
For the last four years, Fast Company’s Next Big Things in Tech awards have celebrated technological breakthroughs that are changing the way we work and live. This year’s awards include 138 honors for innovations impacting everything from transportation and telecommunications to agriculture.
Arriving at that cadre of winners from a pool of 1,400 applicants requires many hours of work sifting through applications, scrutinizing projects, and deciding which achievements
Health care and tech innovation go hand in hand. From delivering steady streams of medication to speeding up treatment of diseases, technology is now at the center of patient care. These eight companies are advancing the industry.
Anumana
For detecting diseases earlier
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in the U.S. and across the globe. Anumana is tackling this by enhancing the utility of the e
The biggest challenge for the global food system is climate change—and growing food is itself a major source of emissions. But innovations in technology are helping farmers adapt to extreme weather by growing crops that are more likely to survive droughts, heat, or floods. Other solutions, like seaweed for cows, can help radically cut the carbon footprint of producing food.
CH4 Global
For making it easier to grow seaweed to fight cow burps
In a year,
It may have been a rocky year of ups and downs for fintechs and the blockchain as the American economy continues to give off strange vibes. But through it all, there’s been no shortage of innovation in the space, as companies from Bitcoin miners to auction makers forged ahead with new ideas and inventions. Here are some of the best.
AlphaSense
For making market intelligence even smarter
AlphaSense is a
The venture-funded business landscape is rife with far more failures than, well, literally anything else. Those few companies that survive—regardless of the industry—often possess an alchemical mixture of talent, drive, and no small dose of luck that foster the rarest of climates: durable innovation. Here are four businesses that not only have lasted, but they are still delivering boundary-pushing products with as much gusto as ever.
AiDash
For using AI to
To be blunt, construction projects are a pain. Ongoing labor shortages, cash flow issues, poor communication, and a strained supply chain are all weighing on the industry and can set projects back months. There are also the issues of waste and environmental changes due to climate change to address. This year, our honorees are innovating with everything from helping renters build credit scores to reducing water waste.
Epic Cleantec
For recycling onsite waste