From the best known giants in the world to the most promising startups. The one made up by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which drew up the 2013 list of the 50 most innovative companies on the planet, is a mosaic made up of very different pieces. Of these companies, 12 work in the energy sector, 11 in internet and digital media, 18 in information technology and communications, six in biomedicine and three in transport.
“Each selected company has done something in the past few years that has strengthened its market share or created new leadership or commercial outlets – explains Brian Bergstein on MIT Technology Review -. This is the case of Nest, the manufacturer of thermostats, which has made a name for itself with a simple but cutting-edge product, and seems capable of still making winning proposals. Others, such as the startup Ambri, which produces batteries, are still on the verge of taking a decisive step forward. There are also established startups, like Pinterest, that have yet to define their business model, and established companies like Xerox and Microsoft, who are working hard to change their image. Some companies in the group are looking to expand the use of existing technology, such as Bgi, the Chinese company that deals with genomic research. The pace of technological change is brutal. Even Appie, who we've selected four years in a row, has to fight to keep up. We believe her TV will be on this list next year, but we don't feel like putting our hand on the fire. Of these 50 companies, only 15 were present in last year's selection”.
Here are some examples in different sectors:
ENERGY AND MATERIALS
I generated Electric
Listed on the Stock Exchange – Founded: 1890
Support to utility companies using wind and solar power. A new GE gas turbine gets up and running quickly when cleaner energy isn't available.
Philips
Listed on the Stock Exchange – Founded: 1891
Efficient and low cost LED bulbs. A new LED bulb can be controlled from a phone and tablet.
Siemens
Listed on the Stock Exchange – Founded: 1847
Development of battery and wind technologies crucial to German plans to boost renewable energy.
INTERNET AND DIGITAL MEDIA
Facebook
Listed on the Stock Exchange – Founded: 2004
A winning method for coordinating on-line and off-line activities, which paves the way for new advertising models.
Pinterest Not listed on the Stock Exchange – Foundation: 2009
Social network focused on sharing images and videos that promotes connection between people with the same tastes and interests.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS
Amazon new
Listed on the Stock Exchange – Founded: 1994
Promotion of the purchase of goods online, with the possibility, in some areas, of same-day delivery.
Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC),
Listed on the Stock Exchange – Founded: 1976
More advanced displays with the extension of its Retina technology from small screens to Macbooks and iPads.
Google
Listed on the Stock Exchange – Founded: 1998
Its Android operating system is the most popular software among smartphones and has fostered the development of fierce competition.
IBM
Listed on the Stock Exchange – Founded: 1911
It integrated optical components with electrical circuits on a single silicon chip, paving the way for solving data traffic congestion problems.
Intel
Listed on the Stock Exchange – Founded: 1968
Its mobile processors outperform the competition, although market share remains low.
Microsoft
Listed on the Stock Exchange – Founded: 1975
Its technology brings together desktops with touch systems. Windows 8 will be able to capture a good chunk of the PC and mobile device markets.
Samsung
Listed on the Stock Exchange – Founded: 1938
Market leader in smartphones and maker of one of the few tablets capable of challenging the iPod.
BIOMEDICINE
Novartis
Listed on the Stock Exchange – Founded: 1996
Continuous cycle production of drugs with rapid and original techniques for the recombination of chemical compounds.
TRANSPORTATION
Audi
Listed on the Stock Exchange – Founded: 1909
Self-driving cars are getting closer in time with the laser scanning road detector embedded in the car's front grille.
Toyota
Listed on the Stock Exchange – Founded: 1937
Its dominance has extended to the hybrid car market with its latest plug-in version of the Prius.
Here is the complete list of the 50 companies.
