The World Economic Forum has announced the 2025 cohort of its Technology Pioneers community — a group of 100 early-stage companies from 28 countries that are driving innovation across industries and geographies.
Now in its 25th year, the programme marks a significant milestone with what is considered its strongest and most diverse group to date. Reflecting broader shifts in the global innovation landscape, this year’s cohort includes companies from beyond traditional hubs like Silicon Valley and features bold advancements in frontier technologies.
A growing number of selected companies are harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to scale faster and deliver sophisticated solutions with fewer resources. Others are venturing into previously uncharted fields, including asteroid mining, electric flying taxis, the use of satellite imagery to revolutionize agriculture, and even leveraging energy from supernova events to detect critical minerals beneath the Earth’s surface.
The geographic distribution of innovation is also evolving. While the United States remains the leading contributor, Europe’s share has grown to 28%, up from 20% last year, highlighting the strength of its emerging tech ecosystems. China and India continue to rise as global technology leaders.
“There has never been a more exciting time to dive into tech innovation,” said Verena Kuhn, Head of Innovator Communities at the World Economic Forum. “But no one gets far alone — you need a community to move your mission forward. As we celebrate 25 years of the Technology Pioneers programme, we remain committed to connecting start-ups with the networks and ecosystems that enable them to scale.”
Since its inception in 2000, the Technology Pioneers programme has spotlighted more than 1,200 early-stage companies, many of which have gone on to become global industry leaders, including Google, PayPal, Dropbox, and SoundCloud.
The 2025 cohort is notable for its focus on breakthrough innovations aimed at addressing some of the world’s most urgent challenges — from advanced robotics and customizable space launch services to micro nuclear reactors and more accessible quantum computing technologies.
As part of a two-year engagement with the Forum, these pioneering companies will contribute insights to key initiatives and participate in the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2025, scheduled for 24–26 June in Tianjin, People’s Republic of China.
