2025 World Changing Ideas Awards

Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Awards honor products, concepts, companies, and policies that are designed to make the world safer, cleaner, more sustainable, and more equitable. The contest, now in its eighth year, has recognized everything from a solar-powered refrigerator to a thermal battery to a program that helps renters build their credit history.  

We’re debuting a new format for the awards this year: Instead of naming a winner in 50 categories, we’ll be naming a single list of the top World Changing Ideas entries. We’ll be considering every application and creating a list of the most compelling entries—along with a few categories offering chances for additional recognition for companies excelling in specific locations, sectors, and years in business. 

In all of the applications, we’re looking for creative, surprising projects that have launched in the past year and are committed to tackling the most pressing issues of our time. Entries will be judged by a group of Fast Company editors and reporters on their impact, sustainability, design, creativity, and scalability.