As the region shifts and industries transform, Fast Company Middle East’s Most Innovative Companies 2025 list looks at the most groundbreaking companies in every industry, offering a snapshot of innovation today and a playbook for the future.
In preparing the 2025 Most Innovative Companies list, we mined hundreds of applications from companies across the region, mindful of balancing the innovations that defined the year with those that will be relevant in the year ahead. We looked for companies with an edge, reshaping their businesses and the sector, and addressing the reinvention of our society. Those companies are simply more compelling and vital to their fields right now, and those are the ones we're honoring on the Most Innovative Companies 2025 list.
Here are the companies that aren’t just keeping up—they’re setting the pace, and this is both heartening and inspiring.
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- Winners
For redefining mobility with AI and sustainability
ADNOC Distribution is transforming mobility with AI, sustainable practices, and a customer-focused approach, expanding renewable energy networks and loyalty ecosystems while reducing carbon intensity.
Read MoreFor smarter, cleaner, connected mobility and retail
ADNOC Distribution builds a connected mobility and retail ecosystem, featuring about 100 new stations. The company utilizes AI and operational excellence to boost loyalty, non-fuel retail, and sustainability.
Read MoreFor technology-driven, immersive journalism
Asharq News redefines audience engagement across the GCC by combining AI avatars, mixed reality, and data visualization. Its proprietary content tools have doubled engagement and achieved record viewership.
Read MoreFor patient-centered, connected healthcare
Aster DM Healthcare delivers integrated digital and physical care across the GCC through the myAster app, a Smart Hospital network, AI diagnostics, and robotic-assisted surgeries, enhancing accessibility, continuity, and patient safety.
Read MoreFor building a scalable circular ecosystem for electronic devices
Basatne creates scalable circular systems for electronics, reducing e-waste, lowering emissions, and delivering measurable ESG value.
Read MoreFor redefining trust, transparency, and technology in real estate
Bayut enhances trust and transparency in UAE real estate with AI-powered tools, streamlining property valuations, professional standards, and instant insights for agents and consumers.
Read MoreFor generative AI adoption and regional productivity
BCG integrates GenAI across Dubai, Riyadh, and Doha through training programs, proprietary tools, and inclusive initiatives. This approach leads to high AI adoption, empowering consultants to utilize AI in strategy, branding, and client delivery.
Read MoreFor SME financing and promoting financial inclusion
Beehive connects SMEs to investors with AI-powered digital lending, Sharia-compliant financing, and fast approvals, funding over 2,590 businesses.
Read MoreFor AI and nature-driven architectural design
BEGA Architects utilizes AI, nature-inspired design, and robotic fabrication to create sustainable, adaptive buildings and city-scale solutions that have a measurable impact on both culture and the environment.
Read MoreFor advancing digital asset adoption, education, and financial inclusion
Binance expands digital asset adoption and financial inclusion through education, Sharia-compliant investing, and community programs with measurable social and economic impact.
Read MoreFor advancing women’s participation and financial inclusion
Binance advances digital finance adoption in the Middle East, supporting women’s participation through Sharia Earn, blockchain education programs, and DeFi solutions.
Read MoreFor redefining luxury mobility through sustainable, inclusive services
Blacklane delivers premium, eco-conscious chauffeur services with EV fleets, multi-channel booking.
Read MoreFor sustainable, personalized luxury retail
Chalhoub Group enhances luxury retail with Layla AI, circular marketplaces like reMUSE, and sustainable merchandising practices, boosting engagement, revenue, and operational efficiency while reducing waste and supporting eco-conscious commerce.
Read MoreFor advancing cyber resilience and securing the UAE’s digital future
CPX delivers AI-driven cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection, strengthening resilience and enabling secure digital growth.
Read MoreFor intelligent marketing systems
Digitas transforms marketing into an intelligent and adaptive system by utilizing AI, experience design, and data to streamline operations, enhance personalization, and drive measurable efficiency.
Read MoreFor shaping an AI-powered digital future
e& deploys AI across operations, customer experience, and connectivity to drive digital inclusion, operational efficiency, and sustainable innovation at scale.
Read MoreFor embedding sustainability across operations and customer engagement
e& embeds sustainability across operations and services, cutting emissions, promoting circularity, and generating measurable social and economic outcomes.
Read MoreFor integrating wellness, art, and sustainable living
Ellington Properties creates design-first residential communities, integrating wellness, art, and sustainable living. It promotes access, culture, and environmental responsibility.
Read MoreFor integrated, sustainable energy and mobility
EtihadWE has created a low-carbon, customer-focused energy ecosystem with smart meters, EV charging network, and decentralized renewable energy system.
Read MoreFor smart, low-carbon, customer-focused energy
EtihadWE integrates electricity, water, and mobility into an innovative, low-carbon system, deploying half a million smart meters, rooftop solar panels, improvements in desalination efficiency, and an EV charging network to reduce emissions and empower two million residents.
Read MoreFor sustainable luxury hospitality
FIVE Holdings’ FIVE Luxe JBR blends solar-powered luxury, IoT-enabled efficiency, water recycling, and circular waste management.
Read MoreFor building brands through creativity and inclusion
FP7 McCann blends creativity, and inclusion to craft culturally resonant campaigns that drive measurable impact and shape the region’s creative future.
Read MoreFor merging global reach with local impact
GMG has expanded globally, diversified its portfolio, and pioneered sustainability efforts, positioning itself as an industry leader.
Read MoreFor culturally grounded, performance-driven products
Huda Beauty integrates cultural storytelling, high-performance formulations, and community engagement. Products are designed with consumer insights, support local communities, and reflect inclusivity and social impact.
Read MoreFor creating culturally grounded beauty experiences
Huda Beauty turns consumer insights into high-performance, culturally resonant products, while supporting heritage and community initiatives.
Read MoreFor developing AI technologies tailored to regional needs
IBM delivers enterprise AI and quantum-powered solutions that enhance productivity, sustainability, and measurable business outcomes across the region.
Read MoreFor fostering women-led scientific and cultural impact
L’Oréal empowers Arab women scientists and reshapes cultural narratives through FWIS grants, mentorship, campaigns such as Sit El Beit, and initiatives that foster social change and economic outcomes across the region.
Read MoreFor driving AI-powered personalization and efficiency
L’Oréal uses AI to personalize marketing, improve efficiency, and integrate sustainability into campaigns, driving measurable impact and empowering teams to focus on strategy.
Read MoreFor immersive and playful storytelling
L’Oréal Middle East uses AR and VR to make beauty discovery interactive, culturally relevant, and measurable while reducing environmental impact.
Read MoreFor blending technology and human connection
Leo Burnett fuses human intuition and AI to create campaigns that connect, inspire, and deliver measurable cultural impact.
Read MoreFor AI-driven defense and sustainable security
Lockheed Martin integrates AI, digital systems, and sustainable defense practices to enhance regional security, industrial capacity, and workforce expertise.
Read MoreFor AI-driven precision healthcare and longevity
M42 connects AI, genomics, and clinical expertise across healthcare networks, including the Jordan Digital Health Center and Abu Dhabi Biobank, supporting precision medicine, AI-assisted diagnostics, and preventive care.
Read MoreFor reshaping creativity with cultural intelligence
Ogilvy combines AI, data, and cultural insight to deliver human-led campaigns that resonate, drive results, and shape sustainable growth.
Read MoreFor building a people-first, collaborative culture
MCN connects agencies and markets into a unified system that drives integrated creativity, measurable business growth, and sustainable impact.
Read MoreFor connected, collaborative agency networks
MCN fosters a collaborative, people-first culture across 15 agencies and 11 markets with flexible work models, professional development, cross-agency campaigns, and partnerships, achieving engagement, retention, and a reduction in travel emissions.
Read MoreFor building resilient local industries and empowering future-ready talent
PepsiCo is driving regional growth by advancing local industry, sustainability, and social empowerment, while fostering entrepreneurship and climate-tech for lasting economic and environmental impact.
Read MoreFor accessible, data-driven real estate
Property Finder leverages AI and data to improve property discovery and market transparency across MENA.
Read MoreFor building the region’s retail media ecosystem
Publicis Media MENA integrates data, technology, and commerce to build connected retail media networks that drive measurable impact for both brands and retailers.
Read MoreFor pioneering a system that converts purpose into performance
Publicis Groupe ME & Turkey drives purpose-led talent development through the Meaningful Action Operating System, learning journeys, mobility programs, and leadership initiatives.
Read MoreFor reshaping brands’ connection with consumers
Publicis Media Middle East is pioneering retail media by building data-driven networks that connect brands to consumers at the point of purchase, driving measurable sales impact and unlocking new revenue streams.
Read MoreFor transforming preventive healthcare with AI-driven longevity insights
Pura leverages AI to deliver predictive, preventive healthcare and personalized longevity insights, improving health outcomes and supporting sustainable healthcare systems.
Read MoreFor turning health-focused CSR into measurable, inclusive national programs
PureHealth turns CSR into measurable programs that advance prevention, inclusion, and national well-being while creating social and economic impact.
Read MoreFor integrated, AI-powered healthcare and longevity
PureHealth is enhancing efficiency, personalization, and accessibility in healthcare through an AI-enabled app and advanced specialist and preventive care.
Read MoreFor helping brands stay in sync with cultural shifts
Saatchi & Saatchi transforms cultural insights into real-time campaigns that increase relevance, engagement, and social impact.
Read MoreFor unified digital banking and sustainable growth
SAIB unifies digital banking, fintech partnerships, and internal product development, delivering fast onboarding, integrated apps, and new revenue streams.
Read MoreFor creating AI-powered AR and VR activations that combine culture & creativity
Tactical leverages AI-powered AR and VR to deliver interactive experiences that engage audiences, drive measurable outcomes, and support sustainability.
Read MoreFor redefining creativity through AI
TBWA/RAAD amplifies human creativity with AI-powered tools to deliver culturally relevant, high-impact campaigns, driving both business and social progress.
Read MoreFor advancing purposeful innovation
Weber Shandwick MENAT blends technology, creativity, and inclusivity to deliver insight-driven campaigns, advance leadership equity, and create measurable social impact.
Read MoreFor customer-first digital banking and wealth management
Wio Bank offers digital-first banking and wealth management with AI insights, crypto and global portfolios, hands-free wealth solutions, and integrated business accounts, serving over 100,000 SMEs.
Read MoreFor redefining media for the AI era
WPP Media Middle East is redefining media for the AI era, integrating data, creative, and media through its proprietary platform while equipping employees to harness AI at scale.
Read MoreFor AI-driven Arabic entertainment
Yango Play delivers Arabic streaming, music, and gaming through AI-powered personalization, supporting regional creators, and providing culturally tailored entertainment.
Read MoreFor driving AI-led cybersecurity, data innovation, and transformation
ZainTECH applies AI and data-driven solutions to strengthen cybersecurity, digital services, and operational efficiency while fostering innovation and sustainable impact.
Read MoreFor secure, efficient, digitally empowered enterprises
ZainTECH combines cloud, AI, and cybersecurity across eight markets, enabling governments and businesses to operate securely and efficiently while reducing carbon footprints and building local talent.
Read MoreFor using AI and data science to accelerate digital transformation
ZainTECH integrates advanced technology, AI, and analytics to help organizations accelerate data value, monetize assets, and leverage data visualization that tracks trends and predicts outcomes.
Read MoreFor mobile payments that empower businesses and consumers
Ziina enables mobile-first payments and financial access for SMEs and consumers, issuing prepaid cards, Tap to Pay, in-chat payments, and multi-currency settlements.
Read More- ⬤ Adtech & Martech Tech-driven marketing that fuels growth
- ⬤ Advertising, Branding & PR Agencies advancing the business of persuasion and influence
- ⬤ AI & Data Science Industry-revolutionizing ideas with advanced ML and data analysis
- ⬤ Architecture Firms and commissions that are transforming the built world
- ⬤ Augmented and Virtual Reality Companies shaping the future of immersive content
- ⬤ Clean Tech Companies shaping a cleaner economic path
- ⬤ Conglomerate/Holding Companies Leading enterprises shaping tomorrow’s regional economy
- ⬤ Corporate Social Responsibility Building a better world through purpose-driven initiatives
- ⬤ Crypto & Blockchain Companies reshaping how people pay and connect
- ⬤ Emerging Tech Companies working on tech that are in the early stages of development
- ⬤ Energy Harnessing technology to drive efficiency and sustainability
- ⬤ Enterprise Organizations offering tech and services that make other businesses more efficient
- ⬤ Entertainment Platforms, labels, and streamers making delightful content
- ⬤ Finance & Fintech Products and technologies making financial transactions easier
- ⬤ Healthcare Latest devices, services, and approaches to empower patients
- ⬤ Logistics & Mobility Moving goods faster, smarter, and sustainably
- ⬤ Media Businesses inventing or reinventing the future of news and content
- ⬤ Real Estate The landscapes and properties defining how we live today
- ⬤ Retail Fresh approaches to selling goods and services
- ⬤ Social Good Companies incorporating a larger purpose in businesses
- ⬤ Sustainability Creating a cleaner and greener future through innovation and sustainability
- ⬤ Travel & Tourism Redefining hospitality with personalized and immersive experiences
- ⬤ Women Backed Companies with women at the helm pushing new boundaries
- ⬤ Workplace Companies helping employees be more productive and happy






