Most Innovative Companies

Prem Natarajan, EVP and head of enterprise AI at Capital One, shares insights on harnessing generative and agentic AI to transform businesses. He discusses the balance between quick AI implementation and strategic long-term investments, emphasizing the importance of a robust technological framework. The conversation highlights Capital One's innovative approach to cloud technology and upskilling initiatives like 'Tech College.' Natarajan also underscores the significance of data quality and governance in successfully integrating AI to enhance customer experiences.

Brian Niccol is on a mission to change how you get your morning coffee, and on this episode, we learn how in Niccol’s first public interview since taking over as Starbucks CEO a year ago.  We also run down the latest news on NikeSkims’ first lookbook, Apple’s Liquid Glass launch, and Amazon’s settlement over its deceptive UX — the “Iliad Flow.”  Then, we close the episode with a new game: Hot or not…but for design. 

On today's episode, co-hosts Josh Christensen and associate editor David Salazar, filling in for Yasmin Gagne, discuss the latest news in the world of business and innovation. Topics include Jimmy Kimmel’s return, Nvidia's plans to invest $100 billion in OpenAI, and the Trump administration’s unfounded claims about Tylenol.   Next, Yaz speaks to Jessica Schinazi, CEO of the direct-to-consumer luggage brand Away. They discuss making the company profitable, launching soft-shell suitcases and other accessories, and transitioning away from DTC to sell on Amazon and at Nordstrom.   Finally, Yaz interviews David Allemann, co-founder of premium sportswear brand On, about competing in a crowded athletic shoe market, receiving an investment from Roger Federer, and the company’s innovative physical retail strategy. For more of the latest business and innovation news, go to https://www.fastcompany.com/news

In this custom episode from Fast Company Custom Studio and Capital One, you will learn best practices for how companies can help developers move up the stack, including how to reduce infrastructure management, embrace automation and AI-enhanced development, and equip developers with the right tooling. We’ll discuss these best practices through the lens of how Capital One does it scale, and ultimately show how this focus powers modern, fully-managed software solutions in banking.

On today's episode, cohosts Yasmin Gagne and Josh Christensen are at Fast Company's 2025 Innovation Festival to discuss the latest business news and the event's festivities. Topics include the TikTok deal “framework” with new investors, California lawmakers passing an AI safety bill, Apollo Global Management considering the sale of AOL, and the top takeaways from the Emmys.   Next, senior editor Max Ufberg talks with Glean's founder and CEO, Arvind Jain, about the future of agentic AI. They discuss his thoughts on improving workplace knowledge for enterprise clients and staying ahead of major competitors as this market continues to evolve competitively. For more of the latest business and innovation news, go to https://www.fastcompany.com/newsTo follow the latest on Innovation Festival:https://events.fastcompany.com/innovationfestival25

Jewell Loyd, a two-time WNBA champion and Olympic gold medalist for the Las Vegas Aces, co-founded Loyd & Co., a financial firm aimed at uplifting underserved communities. She shares her vision of creating a 'bank with a soul,' focusing on authenticity over celebrity. The conversation dives into her journey from sports to entrepreneurship, the importance of land ownership for empowerment, and innovative strategies for financial literacy. Loyd’s mission blends personal experiences with impactful solutions for economic revitalization.

On today's episode, co-hosts Yasmin Gagne and Josh Christensen discuss the latest news in business and innovation. Topics include the latest jobs report, a busy week for IPOs, and Apple’s new slate of products.   Next, Yaz and Josh speak with Fast Company contributing editor Alex Pasternack about Google’s ongoing antitrust case. They cover a federal judge's recent ruling, the company's stock jumping 8% after the court’s decision, and what this means for Google, the tech industry, and consumers overall.   Finally, Josh talks with Laura Bates about her new book, The New Age of Sexism: How AI and Emerging Technologies Are Reinventing Misogyny. For more of the latest business and innovation news, go to https://www.fastcompany.com/news

You know Dick’s Sporting Goods as one of America’s largest and most successful sports retailers. It has used that status to help create an impressive catalog of five feature-length films and 10 short-form or episodic documentaries over the past decade, including the Emmy-winning docs We Could Be King (2014) and The Turnaround (2024). But in August, Dick's took things to a new level, officially launching an in-house studio division called Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios. In this episode, I talk to Dick’s chief marketing officer Emily Silver about why now is the perfect time for an in-house studio, the evolution of the brand’s entertainment strategy, how the company measures success for these projects, and where it all goes from here.    Before that, I wanted to put what Dick’s is doing into some context. So I called up Zac Ryder, co-founder and chief creative officer at Modern Arts—the agency that helped WhatsApp produce the Netflix doc The Seat, which we talked about back in Episode 1 of this season. Zac and I nerd out on the evolution of brand entertainment, then break down our picks for the "Best Brand Entertainment of the Past Decade."

On today's episode, co-hosts Yasmin Gagne and Josh Christensen discuss the latest news in business and innovation. Topics include Google being allowed to keep Chrome, Kraft and Heinz splitting back into two companies, and another government funding deadline for Congress.   Next, Yaz and Josh talk to Fast Company contributing writer Chris Stokel Walker about Spotify's bet on bringing messaging back to the platform. They discuss why Spotify is making a move toward creating a super app and whether anyone actually wants that.     Finally, Yaz chats with senior staff writer Liz Segran about former Target CEO Brian Cornell stepping down and the plans of new executive Michael Fiddelke to revamp the company. For more of the latest business and innovation news, go to https://www.fastcompany.com/news To read Chris Stokel-Walker’s reporting on Spotify:https://www.fastcompany.com/91393161/spotify-and-the-problem-with-our-everything-app-era To read more of Liz Segran’s reporting on Target:https://www.fastcompany.com/91389333/targets-new-ceo-has-to-fix-design-experience-dei

On today's episode, co-hosts Yasmin Gagne and Josh Christensen discuss the latest news in business and innovation. Topics include Federal Reserve Board of Governors member Lisa Cook affirming she won't step down despite President Trump threatening to fire her; Elon Musk’s X and xAI suing Apple and OpenAI for anticompetitive collusion; Germany and Italy suspending shipments to the U.S. over tariffs; Spotify launching a messaging feature on their platform; and Cracker Barrel shares rising after reverting to its original logo. Next, Yaz and Josh talk to Fast Company senior editor Max Ufberg about Mark Zuckerberg increasing his spending on his private security to $27 million this past year. And he isn’t the only one; they discuss why many CEOs are investing more in personal protection. Finally, Yaz interviews Tubi CEO Anjali Sud about the company's massive library, its revenue model, its product strategy to help users navigate its massive content catalog, and creating fan-driven original content. Currently, the streaming platform has 100million monthly active users and 300,000 movies and TV episodes to date. For more of the latest business and innovation news, go to https://www.fastcompany.com/news To read Max Ufberg’s article on Mark Zuckerberg:https://www.fastcompany.com/91387503/meta-spent-27-million-protecting-mark-zuckerberg-last-year