Dec 6 2008
The World Economic Forum announced today 34 visionary companies selected as Technology Pioneers 2009 for their accomplishments as innovators of the highest calibre, and whose technologies will have a deep impact on business and society. The selection of these companies is the result of a vigorous selection process, for which the Forum received more than 320 applications from around the world that were evaluated by 44 global technology experts.
The Technology Pioneers 2009 are active in fields such as in-body computing platforms for personalized healthcare; utility-scale solar power projects; mobile phone authentication methods to assure drug safety in developing nations; miniaturized 3rd generation mobile networks; traceability and assurance over food quality; and electric motors with unprecedented levels of energy efficiency and smart grid solutions. The entire list of Technology Pioneers, with their profiles and interviews with the executives of the selected companies, can be found at: http://www.weforum.org/techpioneers.
This year’s class is one of the most geographically diverse ever: besides the traditional technology strongholds of North America and Europe, Technology Pioneers from the People’s Republic of China, Africa (Ghana and Nigeria) and Chile were selected for the first time ever, confirming the growing globalization of science and technology. All in all, the class of 2009 includes companies from 15 countries, with Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, India, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the USA completing the list.
This is the 10th anniversary of the Technology Pioneers programme of the Forum, which aims to recognize companies at the forefront of technology and innovation. The programme so far has identified around 400 companies that have contributed to the Forum’s mission of improving the state of the world. To be selected as a Technology Pioneer, a company must be involved in the development of life-changing technology innovation and have the potential for long-term impact on business and society. In addition, it must demonstrate visionary leadership and show all the signs of being a long-standing market leader – and its technology must be proven. Previous Technology Pioneers include 23andme, Amyris Biotechnologies, Dr Reddy Laboratories, Google, Gridpoint, Infosys, Kaspersky Lab, Mozilla Corporation and Nanosolar.
“We congratulate the 34 newly selected Technology Pioneers for their remarkable achievements and welcome them to the wider community of the World Economic Forum. During these difficult times, we are certain that the technologies driven by these visionary companies will contribute to the next wave of growth, with the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit that characterizes them,” said André Schneider, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of the World Economic Forum.
The Technology Pioneers programme is run by the World Economic Forum with guidance from Accel Partners, BT, KPMG and Kudelski Group.
“It is an honour and a privilege for Accel Partners to work closely with the World Economic Forum again this year in our role as Technology Pioneer Program Partner and Member of the Selection Committee. We were truly impressed with the quality, quantity and diversity of the applicants this year, thereby making the selection process the most difficult to date. I would like to congratulate the Technology Pioneers Class of 2009. These companies can be very proud of receiving such a respected and coveted distinction,” said Kevin E. Comolli, Managing General Partner at Accel Partners.
Matt Bross, Chief Executive Officer, BT Innovate, and Group Chief Technology Officer at BT, said: “In the time BT has been a Strategic Partner of the Technology Pioneers programme, I've been struck by the demonstrable capacity to innovate shown by the 400 or so companies. The 2009 list is truly global and proves that, when it comes to innovation, talent has no passport.”
“KPMG is proud to have participated in the selection of this year’s Technology Pioneers innovators,” said Gary Matuszak, Global Chairman of KPMG’s Information, Communications and Entertainment (ICE) practice. “For the last 10 years, the programme has continued to identify compelling companies that drive technological innovation to the benefit of business and society. This year’s distinguished group of innovators meet that criteria by providing us with technology solutions that enhance the way we work, communicate and live. Congratulations to this year’s winners on being recognized as true technology leaders and for continuing to push the boundaries of the world’s technological transformation.”
Christophe Nicolas, Senior VP and Chief Technology Officer said "As long-standing Strategic Partner for the World Economic Forum since 1998, the Kudelski Group is proud to join the Technology Pioneer program this year for the first time. Technology innovation is at the core of our business and we are sure that the amazing group of Tech Pioneers clearly represent those entrepreneurship and creative values mandatory to succeed in the challenging environment the world is facing."
Technology Pioneers 2009 are invited to participate in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2009 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, from 28 January to 1 February, and in the Annual Meeting of the New Champions that will be held in Dalian, People’s Republic of China, in September 2009, and are integrated into the Forum’s initiatives.