Explore the Fast Company Middle East’s Most Innovative Companies 2023 list; featuring 42 winning entries reshaping businesses and industries. We’ve selected the companies making the most significant impact with their initiatives across 23 categories, including the most innovative services, sustainability & cleantech and retail companies.

Forward-thinking firms are leading the way we interact with our physical environment. By seamlessly merging form and function, these companies craft structures and environments that serve practical needs, inspire, and uplift. With human-centric design shaping a future where architecture and design go beyond aesthetics, these organizations pave the way for future cities, societies and communities.

Masdar City

For making sustainable living accessible

Masdar City, the sustainable community in Abu Dhabi, is addressing several global challenges facing sustainable development, such as pioneering a methodology that makes green buildings economically viable, even for developing countries, focusing on improving energy and water efficiency, driving technological innovation and growth through its free zone and clean-tech startup VC, and sharing lessons learned to help advance the real estate industry achieve net-zero. The Masdar City Square, over 29,000 square meters and features seven single and multi-tenant office buildings, will be the capital’s first net-zero office building. Masdar City is also home to The Catalyst, a venture arm focused on investing in climate-tech startups. These startups are developing innovative solutions to reduce waste and pollution, such as turning industrial waste into ceramic tile and organic waste into animal feed. Masdar Park, which uses recycled materials, is a key component of Masdar City’s “greenprint” for sustainable urban development, increasing open green spaces, public recreational facilities, and sustainable social infrastructure projects.

Msheireb Properties

For blending culture and innovation

Blending cultural heritage with modern design and sustainability, Msheireb Properties’ Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD) is a smart and sustainable regeneration project with water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. To reverse high-rise trends and car dependency, MDD leverages the latest technologies and incorporates thoughtful architectural design to create an open-air, all-year-round, walkable district that champions resident well-being. The city embeds smart technology and connectivity across the development. It provides charging stations for electric cars, smart emergency response systems, and support for over 650,000 connected devices. MDD places great value on preserving Qatar’s culture by blending the best of the past and present to create sustainable and authentic modern Qatari communities.