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Billionaire investor Bill Ackman used a live appearance at the Fast Company Innovation Festival to reiterate views he previously expressed on social media, backing President Trump's military action against Iran and criticizing New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Ackman argued that Mamdani's policies have driven away the city's most economically productive residents.
A Fast Company panel brought together filmmaker Cherien Dabis, chef and NATIFS founder Sean Sherman, and Anima Iris founder Wilglory Tanjong to discuss how their heritage shapes their ventures. Moderated by Tania Rahman, the discussion centered on entrepreneurs who build their businesses around cultural identity rather than treating it as a marketing add-on. Topics ranged from reviving Indigenous foodways to storytelling and craft rooted in personal heritage.
Richelieu Dennis, Executive Chairman of Sundial Group of Companies, and Kirk McDonald, CEO of Sundial Media & Technology Group, participated in a panel discussion moderated by Fast Company's Kc Ifeanyi. The conversation centered on how a century-old institution can remain relevant amid changing business and cultural landscapes.
At a Fast Company event, executives from Radical AI, Engine Ventures and Lilac Solutions discussed how artificial intelligence is being used to speed up discovery and testing in physical industries like materials, energy and hardware. The panel, moderated by editor Morgan Clendaniel, framed AI's next major impact as reshaping real-world engineering and manufacturing rather than just generating digital content.
Nike's Chief Innovation, Design, and Product Officer Phil McCartney joined NBA player Cade Cunningham and WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu in a discussion moderated by Fast Company's Brendan Vaughan about the company's renewed focus on product innovation. The conversation centered on how Nike is realigning its design and development process around athlete feedback to reclaim its edge in performance footwear and apparel.
At a Fast Company panel moderated by senior editor Liz Stinson, product and design leaders from Brooks Running, Block and Spotify discussed how artificial intelligence is reshaping the process of building products consumers want. The conversation centered on balancing faster AI-assisted workflows with genuine consumer appeal amid growing market competition.
J.Crew Group's CIO Danielle Schmelkin and CEO Libby Wadle discussed how the retailer is integrating artificial intelligence into its operations while preserving its creative identity. The conversation, moderated by Fast Company's Elizabeth Segran, framed AI adoption at J.Crew as a cultural undertaking rather than a purely technical one.
At a Fast Company panel, Coach CMO Joon Silverstein and UTA's Ziad Ahmed argued that brands succeeding with Gen Z are involving young consumers directly in creative decisions rather than relying on traditional campaigns and influencer marketing. They described a shift away from top-down trend-chasing toward genuine collaboration with younger audiences.
At a Fast Company event, executives from WeTransfer, Kickstarter and the Fashion Institute of Technology discussed how artists, designers and other creative professionals remain central to innovation even as AI and advanced technology draw massive investment. The panel, moderated by Fast Company's Kc Ifeanyi, examined how creative industries can maintain influence and funding in a tech-dominated landscape.
In a Fast Company interview, Grindr CEO and Chairman George Arison discussed how the company is investing heavily in artificial intelligence to expand beyond its core dating app business. Arison pointed to strong recent financial performance, including 38% year-over-year revenue growth in the first quarter, as evidence the strategy is gaining traction.
Rapper and activist Vic Mensa told Fast Company that his willingness to be openly vulnerable, both personally and politically, is what drove the viral success of his 'Orange Tree' video series. He also discussed the real-world costs he has faced for speaking out on social and political issues through his platform.
Fast Company named winners of its 2026 Innovation by Design Awards for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, recognizing products, packaging, and built projects focused on waste reduction and resource reuse. The top honor went to Yoto Mini, a screen-free audio player developed by Yoto and Heirloom, praised for giving children access to stories, music, and podcasts without phones or AI.