Announcements
SilverLining Named to Fast Company’s Annual List of the World’s Most Innovative Companies 2025
The non-profit dedicated to research and innovation for a safe and secure Earth system joins the ranks of organizations shaping global industries and culture
WASHINGTON D.C. (March 18, 2025) — SilverLining is proud to have been named to Fast Company’s prestigious list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2025. This year’s list shines a spotlight on organizations that are shaping industry and culture through their innovations to set new standards and achieve remarkable milestones in all sectors of the economy.
“This recognition from Fast Company is an incredible honor and highlights the critical need for better information and new approaches to understanding and securing our atmosphere,” said Kelly Wanser, Executive Director of SilverLining. “Rising weather extremes and other changes in our atmosphere pose increasing risks to the safety and security of our communities, industries and natural systems. SilverLining drives research and innovation to provide information and options to protect our communities and natural systems for the future.”
In the past year, SilverLining advanced several groundbreaking research initiatives that combine technology innovation and advanced science to rapidly expand critical information on the atmosphere and Earth system. These included programs to scale atmospheric observations, improve Earth system models and analysis, and advance research that evaluates risks to near-term Earth system safety and security, such as:
Ships of Opportunity for Atmospheric Research (SOAR), a program aimed to rapidly fill major gaps in atmospheric data - including gases, aerosols and meteorology in the marine atmosphere - by leveraging commercial ships to build an advanced global observing network within a few years. With far wider geographical coverage and far more targeted measurements than exists today, SOAR could accelerate research, analysis and solutions across an array of challenges and fields.
High-altitude Observing Platform Explorer (HOPE), a new platform and program created to expand observations of the stratosphere and make them more accessible to researchers in the US and globally. Current and potential changes to the stratosphere require rapidly filling gaps in aging and declining capabilities for observation, with HOPE’s specialized balloons providing an inexpensive approach for increasing observations in the challenging environment of the stratosphere.
Project HEATWAVE, an international effort to advance understanding of extreme heat and mortality, and to develop tools, policies, and technology to support local analysis and implementation of responses to reduce harm to communities and save lives.
Late last year, SilverLining also introduced an interactive digital Roadmap that charts a five-year path to improving society’s understanding of near-term Earth system risk and proposed approaches to reducing warming directly by increasing the reflection of sunlight from the atmosphere. The Roadmap is part of an evolving collaborative effort to ensure a safe and secure planet.
“Our list of the Most Innovative Companies offers both a comprehensive look at innovation today and a playbook for the future,” said Fast Company editor-in-chief Brendan Vaughan. “This year, we recognize companies that are harnessing AI in deep and meaningful ways, brands that are turning customers into superfans by overdelivering for them, and challengers that are introducing bold ideas and vital competition to their industries. At a time when the world is rapidly shifting, these companies are charting the way forward.”
The full list of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies honorees can now be found at fastcompany.com. It will also be available on newsstands beginning March 25.
ABOUT SILVERLINING
SilverLining was founded in 2018 to ensure a safe and secure planet. We are committed to advancing research to manage near-term Earth systems risks and possible responses, promote economic and global security, and protect communities and natural lands. SilverLining's partners and collaborators include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), University of Central Florida, University of Washington, New York University (NYU), SRI, OceansX and other organizations. SilverLining is funded by philanthropic organizations and individuals including 2040 Foundation and others. For more information visit www.silverlining.ngo.
ABOUT FAST COMPANY
Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow business publication Inc. For more information, please visit fastcompany.com.