The submissions for the 2026 list, honoring brands that don’t just market, but matter, are now open. Open for brands that show purpose, communicate with clarity, and deliver experiences that genuinely improve people’s lives. In an era defined by fragile trust and infinite choice, the brands that rise above the noise are those that act with intention, not volume.

Fast Company Middle East’s Brands That Matter seeks out brands that do this work with care and conviction. We are looking for brands that show how identity, behaviour, and product come together to create lasting relevance.

Tell us where your brand has moved from awareness to affinity, how your actions have deepened relationships with customers, and how your choices have produced real cultural or commercial value. Prefer evidence to assertion. Prefer clarity to marketing spin.

Organizations across the region are invited to apply under 31 categories, ranging from banking and finance, fashion, architecture, health and wellness, and sustainability to enterprise, real estate, education, hospitality, and telecom.

Being named to Brands That Matter is an acknowledgment of influence and credibility. Honorees are featured on fastcompanyme.com and across Fast Company Middle East’s platforms, reaching a wide audience of readers, leaders, and decision-makers.  Previous winners have included Binance, Kia, noon, PepsiCo, The Luxury Closet, and more.

Here’s the 2025 list.

Winners also gain access to speaking opportunities at Fast Company Middle East events and invitations to select gatherings.

If your brand didn’t just demand attention, but earned it, we want to hear your story. Nominations are now open for Brands That Matter.