Super Early Bird: $799 (November 25th - December 19th, 2025) 
Apply Now

Some brands sell products. Others shape culture, conversations, and communities.

Fast Company Middle East’s annual list Brands That Matter, recognizes those that use their platforms to connect deeply with consumers. 

This annual list highlights brands that go beyond goods and services to define purpose, build trust, and make an impact. These are the brands that communicate clearly, act authentically, and connect meaningfully. 

If your brand leads with purpose, acts with conviction, and believes that influence isn’t just measured in market share, but in meaning, nominate now.

Being named to the list underscores a brand’s influence and its ability to drive conversations that matter. Selected brands are featured on fastcompanyme.com, reaching a wide and influential audience across the region.

Each year, Fast Company Middle East’s editors review hundreds of submissions to identify the brands that best exemplify creativity, cultural relevance, and impact.

Applications for Brands That Matter 2026 are now open to all organizations based in the region. This is a chance to be recognized among the companies that define what it means to matter today.

Super Early Bird: $799 (November 25th – December 19th, 2025)
Phase 2 Application Fee: $999 (December 20th 2025 – January 30th, 2026)
Phase 3 Application Fee:$1099 (January 31st – March 13th, 2026)
Standard Application Fee: $1499 (March 14th – April 30th, 2026)

Apply NowSuper Early Bird: $799 (November 25th - December 19th, 2025) 

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Why Apply

Brand Exposure

Selected brands are featured across Fast Company Middle East’s powerful platforms — from fastcompanyme.com to social media and newsletters —reaching millions of readers, innovators, and decision-makers across the region

Break News

Tell your organization’s story to the world for the first time; highlight the success of teams within your organization—or partners who’ve helped with your success.

Credibility

Gain the Fast Company Middle East stamp of approval for creating an impactful brand story. Being recognized as a Brand That Matters isn’t just an accolade; it’s a testament to purpose, authenticity, and impact

Employee Engagement

Recognition validates the work, creativity, and commitment of your teams and attracts new talent who want to be part of a brand with purpose

Opportunities

Speaking engagements at Fast Company Middle East events and exclusive invitations to influencer-only events

Eligibility

Open only to organizations and brands based in the Middle East or having a significant presence in the region.. Apply under 31 categories and demonstrate how your brand has impacted business, industry, and culture.  Only brands based in or having a significant presence in the Middle East region are eligible. For full application details, see the FAQs here.

Apply NowSuper Early Bird: $799 (November 25th - December 19th, 2025) 

CATEGORIES

Advertising

These are the brands that are redefining storytelling, influence, and identity in in a fragmented information landscape

Architecture

Brands transforming the built world from design studios to real estate developers, reimagining how space can inspire sustainability, beauty, and human connection.

Automotive & Transportation

Reinventing mobility for the modern age from electric innovation to connected driving experiences that move people and ideas.

Banking & Finance

Financial institutions and fintech brands making a significant impact beyond their core services — building trust, inclusion, and empowerment through purpose.

Beauty & Personal Care

Making the world of cosmetics and wellness more inclusive, sustainable, and appealing

Consumer Electronics

Brands that are revolutionizing how we live, work, and play with tech.

Consumer Products and Services

CPG and service companies that focus on more than their products

E-commerce

Brands that are making shopping easier for consumers

Education

Brands demonstrating purpose and elevating the learning space

Energy

Brands in the power, fuel, and renewables sectors elevating the energy industry

Enterprise

B2B brands that make business better by removing friction, improving efficiency, and empowering organizations to grow smarter.

Events

Creating meaningful impact with the creation and hosting of live events

Family of Brands

More than a parent company, but stewards of the brands we love

Fashion

Brands in the apparel, beauty, accessories, textiles, and related businesses that show cultural impact and purpose

Financial Services

Financial services companies whose brands are about more than the bottom line

Food

Agribusinesses, restaurants, consumer goods, and other brands serving up purpose and broad cultural relevance

Health and Wellness

Brands in fitness, self-care, and medicine that improve body and mind

Home & Furniture

Brands that bring added purpose to where we live

Hotels & Resorts

Creating memorable experiences through exceptional service.

Logistics & Mobility

Moving goods faster, smarter, and sustainably

Media

Businesses inventing or reinventing the future of news and content

Real Estate

The landscapes and properties defining how we live today

Retail

Brands showing purpose beyond the digital or physical storefront

Services

Companies helping people and making lives easier with products

Small and Mighty: Under 10 Employees

Companies with fewer than 10 employees making an outsize impact

Sports

Brands enhancing athletes and fans with cutting-edge sports technology

Sustainability & Clean Tech

Brands building a cleaner, greener future through sustainable practices.

Tech

Companies developing technologies that transform industries, redefine experiences, and shape the future of work and life.

Telecom

Empowering connectivity and bridging global communities.

Travel, Tourism & Aviation

Brands redefining travel with personalized and immersive experiences.
Apply NowSuper Early Bird: $799 (November 25th - December 19th, 2025)