No doubt, the most outstanding company this year, according to Time´s selection, is OpenAI, led by its CEO Sam Altman. Altman is featured on the cover and is recognized as one of the most disruptive leaders of the moment. OpenAI´s program, ChatGPT, has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity, attracting 100 million active users in just two months. To put it into perspective, Instagram took two and a half years to reach that milestone.
The inclusion of OpenAI in this selection was anticipated, given its significance. However, what is truly surprising is the fact that over 12% of the companies on the list are associated with Artificial Intelligence, compared to just five companies last year. This demonstrates that AI is rapidly reshaping the business landscape, showcasing its exponential growth and influence in the new world of business.
Nvidia is indeed one of the leading companies propelling this revolution, having ascended to the top of the “leaders” list and joining the exclusive trillion-dollar club. Another notable company in this category is Google DeepMind, which boasts a rich history, being the first to develop an AI system that surpassed human capabilities in the ancient Chinese board game Go.
Another remarkable criterion is that over 15% of the companies on the list prioritize sustainability. This includes notable names such as M-Kopa, Schneider Electric, Aclima, Albemarle, land O´Lakes, Kayrros, Patagonia, The North Face, ZeroAvia, Regrow Ag, and many more. Their inclusion highlights the growing recognition and importance of sustainable practices in the business world.
To compile the TIME100 companies list, the editors of the publication, under the leadership of Emma Braker, invite nominations from various industries and leverage their global network of contributors and correspondents, alongside external experts. The nominated companies are evaluated based on several crucial factors, including their impact, innovation, ambition, and success. The list is then divided into distinct categories, such as leaders, disruptors, titan innovators, and trailblazers, to showcase the diverse range of companies making significant contributions in their respective fields.
The result is a diverse group of companies that are setting the pace by creating present and future value.
Among the top companies in Latin America, Mercado Libre made it into the “Leaders” category, along with other firms such as Duolingo, JD.com, Nvidia, Patagonia, and SpaceX.
The electronic commerce giant, founded in Argentina in 1999 by businessman Marco Galperin, is prominently featured on the cover of the publication, alongside OpenAI, BYD, Novo Nordisk, Happiest Baby, Taco Bell, TikTok, Formula One, IBM, and Disney, “Mercado Libre is competing with Amazon in Latin America. It had a record year in 2022, generating over 10$ billion in revenue and 1$ billion in operating profit, marking a remarkable 134% increase compared to the previous years.”
National strain: Runway, the Chilean firm that utilizes Artificial Intelligence to generate text-based videos, has been chosen by TIME magazine in the “Innovative” category. According to business insider, the company is reported to have secured a $100 million Series C funding round and signed a lucrative contract with Google, further solidifying its position in the industry.
2022 marked the release of AI imagers to the world. According to TIME, this New York-based company specializes in AI-powered “text-to-video” and video editing tools, making the service accessible to everyone. Notably, even the team behind the breathtaking, Oscar-winning film “Everything, Everywhere All at Once” benefited from the app, as it enabled them to convert their images to text at a significantly lower cost.
The platform has amassed millions of users worldwide. Cristobal Valenzuela, one of the founders and CEO of Runway, highlighted to TIME that “many of the stories that we have told ourselves over the last 150 years are rooted in an idea of how film, video, and images work,” and emphasized that they are now entering a whole new paradigm. The tool´s applications are diverse, extending beyond film and entertainment to include contracts with basketball teams and clothing brands, among others.
The Kardashian: Skims, founded by Kim Kardashian, was also recognized in this esteemed list, in fact, the eldest of the Kardashian clan graces one of the two covers of the 2023 edition of TIME 100 Most Influential Companies, in an interview, the businesswoman shared the inspiration behind creating the line of intimate apparel, which currently includes shapewear and bathing suits, among other items. She explained, “In my case, I was simply looking for a solution to the fact that I love to wear shapewear, and there was no color that would match my skin tone, let alone that of most of my friends.” Additionally, she revealed plans for the upcoming launch of her first collection of men.
Editor’s Note: “TIME´s annual 100 companies list showcases the transformative power of companies,” stated Jessica Sibley, TIME’s Executive Director, “From Artificial Intelligence to fashion, this list celebrates the innovative companies and visionary leaders who are shaping the world”, she emphasized.
