Innovation continues to be a major driver of long-term stock market success. Every year, Fast Company publishes its list of the Most Innovative Companies1, recognizing organizations that are shaping the future through breakthrough ideas, technologies, and business models.
For investors, this list offers more than inspiration. It delivers a curated snapshot of companies that are pushing boundaries and creating real opportunities in the market.
In this article, we break down how to invest in the themes and businesses behind the Fast Company Most Innovative Companies 2025 list and what investors should consider when evaluating innovation-driven stocks.
#Why Innovation Matters for Investors
Innovative companies tend to grow faster, disrupt legacy industries, and create entirely new categories. These businesses often attract strong investor interest because of their long-term growth potential, differentiated offerings, and ability to scale quickly.
Top-performing companies leverage innovation to drive growth both within their core industries and by expanding into new markets. Surveys of business leaders2 consistently rank innovation as a top driver of growth—and companies that prioritize it tend to outperform over time. This helps explain why innovation-focused stocks often trade at premium valuations, as investors are willing to pay for future growth.
By focusing on innovation leaders, investors can potentially gain early exposure to companies shaping the next generation of products and services across diverse sectors like AI, automation, sustainability, healthcare, consumer products, mobility, and digital media.
#How to Use This List as an Investor
Identify publicly traded companies on the list or those connected to listed parents
Use the highlighted themes to explore sector-specific ETFs
Watch for acquisition targets and IPO candidates
#Highlights from the Most Innovative Companies 2025 List
Fast Company’s 2025 list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies features 50 companies across various sectors and regions, recognizing both well-known leaders and under-the-radar disruptors. The top 50 firms showcased breakthroughs that were once considered out of reach. Waymo leads by deploying robotaxis on real city streets. RocketLab USA Inc (NASDAQ:RKLB) is revolutionizing space launches with precision. HistoSonics is using sound waves to destroy tumors, while companies like Athletic Brewing and Nuuly, part of Urban Outfitters, Inc (NASDAQ:URBN), are reshaping consumer markets with alcohol-free beer and profitable clothing rentals.
AI played a major role this year, with firms like DeepSeek advancing model development and others such as Glean, Anysphere, and Abridge applying AI to boost productivity across professions, underscoring the value in investing in AI-related companies.
Some companies thrived by embracing unpredictability, including Duolingo Inc (NASDAQ:DUOL) , pgLang, and Liquid Death. Others responded to societal shifts—Watch Duty helped residents navigate wildfires, Robinhood Markets Inc (NASDAQ:HOOD) catered to a new wave of retail traders, and Chainalysis introduced crypto transparency.
These companies aren't just responding to change—they’re defining it. The list offers insight into how bold innovation shapes not just industries but entire futures.
#Here are a few highlights:
Waymo: Ranked #1 overall, Waymo earned its spot on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list by leading the robotaxi race with over 200,000 autonomous rides weekly, scaling safely across major U.S. cities, and proving that AI-driven transportation can be commercially viable, operationally efficient, and potentially life-saving.
Duolingo: Duolingo stands out at #10 for blending AI, pop culture, and gamification to make language learning engaging, accessible, and profitable - while expanding into new subjects and growing its user base to over 116 million worldwide through Duolingo’s AI integration.
pgLang: pgLang is #15 for redefining the creative agency model, blending music, film, fashion, and live events into a culturally resonant brand engine that delivers viral moments, global partnerships, and bold storytelling across platforms.
On: Swiss running-shoe maker On earned its spot at #18 by reinventing high-performance footwear with Lightspray, a 3D-printed, robot-crafted running shoe that cuts waste, boosts efficiency, and delivers elite results—winning races while reshaping how sneakers are made.
These companies reflect some of the biggest themes shaping innovation today: practical AI, culture-meets-commerce, sustainable design, and tech that elevates everyday life.
#How to Invest in Innovative Companies
If you want to invest in the companies and themes featured in Fast Company’s 2025 list, here are three common strategies:
Invest in Publicly Traded Innovators
Some of the companies on the list — or their parent firms — are publicly traded. For example, Waymo is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc Class A (NASDAQ:GOOGL) , so investors can get exposure by owning shares of Alphabet.
When evaluating these stocks, focus on more than just recent headlines. Look at growth metrics, addressable market size, competitive advantage, and the company's ability to monetize its innovation. Also consider management’s track record and capital allocation decisions.
Invest Through Innovation-Focused ETFs
If you prefer diversification, several exchange-traded funds (ETFs) focus on innovative themes. These funds include baskets of stocks tied to trends like automation, AI, clean tech, digital health, and future mobility.
Some examples include:
Disruptive Tech: ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK), iShares Exponential Technologies ETF (XT)
AI and Automation: Global X Robotics & AI ETF (BOTZ)
Next-Gen Industries: SPDR S&P Kensho New Economies ETF (KOMP)
Why ETFs appeal to retail investors:
Lower individual stock risk
Built-in exposure to emerging trends
Accessible through standard brokerage accounts
Explore Early-Stage or Private Opportunities
For accredited investors, platforms like OurCrowd offer access to pre-IPO startups. While these carry more risk and limited liquidity, they allow investors to back high-growth companies early. Retail investors can gain indirect exposure through venture funds or equity crowdfunding. However, due diligence is essential, and understanding deal terms, exit timelines, and competitive pressures is key.
#Key Sectors Driving Innovation in 2025
The 2025 list from Fast Company spans industries, but some clear innovation themes are worth watching from an investment standpoint:
Autonomous Vehicles and Mobility Tech: Companies like Waymo are driving innovation in AI, sensors, and infrastructure.
Consumer Goods: Companies like EssilorLuxottica are bringing tech to eyewear with smart glasses, while SharkNinja captures consumer attention with viral appliances and Homecourt elevates eco-friendly cleaning with a luxury touch.
Inclusive Finance: Companies like Nubank are personalizing banking for Latin American households, Robinhood empowers retail investors with accessible trading tools, and Chainalysis strengthens trust by demystifying crypto transactions.
AI Innovation and Open Platforms: Companies like Nvidia are powering the future with advanced GPUs and AI infrastructure, while Glean and DeepSeek expand enterprise and open-source AI capabilities. Anysphere is offering coders an AI partner that understands context and accelerates productivity. Unstructured is transforming raw, unorganized data into usable input for AI systems, and Notion blends productivity with intelligence.
Other Innovative Technology: Bluesky is freeing social platforms from algorithmic control and corporate ownership. Infinitum is upgrading data centers with ultra-efficient, low-emission motors. Simbe Robotics is equipping retailers with autonomous robots to optimize inventory tracking and shelf visibility. Figma is aligning designers and developers with shared, interactive workflows. Watch Duty is tracking wildfires in real time and delivering life-saving alerts to communities.
Watchlist Worthy: Some private companies featured on the list, such as Athletic Brewing and Liquid Death, may not be publicly traded yet—but their strong consumer traction makes them attractive M&A targets for established firms. Investors can watch for partnerships, acquisitions, or IPO activity tied to these breakout brands.
Check out our previous article on Investing in Innovation from Fast Company's 2024 List.
#Risks of Investing in Innovation
While investing in innovation offers potential upside, it also comes with higher risk. Not all innovative companies succeed in building profitable or scalable business models. Many face execution risks, technological hurdles, or shifting regulatory frameworks.
Valuations can also be stretched, particularly during hype cycles, which leaves little room for error if growth slows or competition intensifies. It’s important to assess whether current prices reflect realistic growth expectations.
Diversification is critical. Whether you're using ETFs or building a portfolio of individual stocks, balancing innovation exposure with more stable assets can help manage risk over time.
#Final Thoughts
Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2025 showcases the kind of visionary thinking that often leads to long-term market leadership. While not every company on the list will be investable right away, the broader trends they represent are reshaping the global economy.
Public companies often target private firms with high-demand offerings to accelerate innovation and strengthen their competitive edge.
Investors who want to participate in this evolution can take a thoughtful, research-driven approach — combining thematic ETFs, select stock picks, and an awareness of both upside and risk.
By focusing on innovation with discipline, you can position your portfolio to capture the ideas and technologies defining the next decade.