This year’s list honours businesses that are making the biggest impact on their industries and culture as a whole—ultimately thriving in today’s ever-changing world. These companies are creating the future today with some of the most inspiring accomplishments of the 21st century. In addition to the World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies, 528 organizations are recognized across 52 categories, with Aether named as No. 7 amongst Consumer Goods.
Aether is the only company in the world to successfully create diamonds out of atmospheric carbon that would otherwise contribute to climate change and global warming. They are also the only diamond producer in the industry to achieve B Corp status. Aether creates its gemstones by pulling CO2 from the air via direct air capture technology and carbon sequestration methods. This carbon is then used to grow their diamonds, which are ultimately cut, polished and set into Aether’s jewelry offerings. Aether formally made its debut into the marketplace in December 2020 and began shipping jewelry to consumers in mid-2021.
The award-winning climate tech startup has effectively created a third category of diamonds and the only truly sustainable offering on the market. All Aether diamonds are atomically identical to their mined counterparts but are instead devoid of the environmental and social ramifications. All mined diamonds lead to the direct destruction of the planet while all other lab-grown diamonds currently available rely on fossil fuels as their source of carbon, which is acquired as a result of drilling and fracking. Aether uses clean energy throughout its entire supply chain and the company’s proprietary diamond production process is the first commercialized process to have a net negative carbon footprint. Additionally, Aether has committed to removing 20 metric tonnes of CO2 from the air for every carat of diamond sold, enough to offset the average American’s carbon footprint by more than a year.
Fast Company’s editors and writers sought out the most groundbreaking businesses across the globe and industries. They also judged nominations received through their application process.
The World’s Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company’s signature franchise and one of its most highly anticipated editorial efforts of the year. It provides both a snapshot and a road map for the future of innovation across the most dynamic sectors of the economy.
“The world’s most innovative companies play an essential role in addressing the most pressing issues facing society, whether they’re fighting climate change by spurring decarbonization efforts, ameliorating the strain on supply chains, or helping us reconnect with one another over shared passions,” said Fast Company Deputy Editor David Lidsky.
