GENEVA, Switzerland – The World Economic Forum today, June 23, 2025, announced the selection of 100 pioneering companies from 28 countries to join its 2025 cohort of Technology Pioneers. This prestigious group of early-stage entities is recognized for their groundbreaking innovations and their potential to significantly impact global industries and societies.
Marking the 25th anniversary of the program, the 2025 cohort stands out for its expanded geographical representation and a deliberate move beyond traditional technology hubs like Silicon Valley. This year’s selection highlights a diverse array of firms tackling ambitious frontier technologies, often leveraging advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) to amplify their scale and sophistication.
A Diverse Tapestry of Global Innovation
The 2025 cohort represents a broad spectrum of technological pursuits, reflecting the multifaceted challenges and opportunities facing the world today. The selected pioneers are engaged in fields ranging from the highly speculative, such as asteroid mining, to practical solutions for urban mobility, including the development of flying electric taxis. Other areas of focus encompass enhancing agricultural efficiency through the utilization of satellite imagery and exploring novel methods for locating critical minerals by harnessing energy signals potentially derived from supernova explosions.
While the United States continues to be the largest single contributor of companies to the program, highlighting its robust innovation ecosystem, Europe’s presence has notably grown to represent 28% of the cohort. This increasing diversity underscores the global nature of technological advancement and the Forum’s commitment to identifying transformative potential across continents.
Pioneering the Frontier: AI and Deep Technology
A common thread among many of the 2025 Technology Pioneers is the strategic integration of artificial intelligence. AI is not merely a tool but is being embedded into core technologies to enhance capabilities, improve efficiency, and unlock new possibilities across various sectors. This ranges from optimizing complex systems required for resource extraction in space to developing sophisticated algorithms for interpreting vast datasets from Earth observation.
The focus on frontier technologies, often referred to as “deep tech,” signifies a commitment to tackling fundamental scientific and engineering challenges. These companies are not just building upon existing platforms but are creating entirely new paradigms, from novel energy storage solutions to advanced computing architectures.
Spotlight on Selected Pioneers
The 2025 cohort includes several companies whose work exemplifies the program’s focus on impactful, forward-thinking innovation. Among them is HiNa Battery, a China-based firm at the forefront of developing sustainable energy storage solutions, specifically pioneering sodium-ion batteries. These batteries offer a promising alternative to traditional lithium-ion technology, potentially reducing reliance on critical minerals and lowering costs.
Another notable pioneer is KaiOS, which is focused on bridging the digital divide by providing affordable internet access and financial services. Operating primarily in South Asia and Africa, KaiOS empowers users in underserved markets with essential digital tools.
Lightstandard, also recognized this year, is working on revolutionizing computing for large language models (LLMs). The company is developing faster, energy-efficient computing solutions using photonics, potentially enabling significant advances in AI processing capabilities while reducing the substantial energy footprint of current AI infrastructure.
Finally, Noematrix joins the ranks for its work on embodied intelligence systems. This field aims to create intelligent agents that can interact with and learn from the physical world, a crucial step towards developing more sophisticated robotics and autonomous systems.
Legacy and Future Context
The Technology Pioneers program has a rich history, having recognized over 1,200 start-ups since its inception 25 years ago. Alumni of the program have gone on to achieve significant milestones, contributing to major shifts in industries and having a tangible impact on societies worldwide. The selection process identifies companies poised for similar trajectories of influence and growth.
The announcement of the 2025 cohort comes just ahead of a significant event on the World Economic Forum’s calendar: the 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions. This meeting is scheduled to take place in Tianjin, China, from June 24-26, 2025. The theme for the Tianjin meeting is “Entrepreneurship for a New Era,” a fitting backdrop for celebrating the spirit and potential of the newly announced Technology Pioneers who are actively shaping the future through their innovative ventures.
By identifying and integrating these cutting-edge companies into its global community, the World Economic Forum aims to facilitate collaboration, accelerate the deployment of these technologies, and ensure that innovation serves the broader goals of sustainable and inclusive global development.
