Fast Takeaways from Fast Company’s 2025 Innovation Festival
For three days we sat at the edge of our seats.
For three days we nodded at wise insights, cheered brave announcements, roared at sly humor and scribbled down notes to pass on to the next gen of innovators. Because this year, like every year for over a decade, the Fast Company Innovation Festival was a masterclass in what's next.
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Without further ado, here are ten fast takeaways from one of my favorite conferences - with the hope that you'll share them with tomorrow's innovators today:
SEPHORA President Artemis Patrick announcing publicly for the first time the launch of shoppable storefront for content creators and influencers
Starbucks Chair and CEO Brian Niccol explaining redesign and customer experience
Academy Award nominee and new founder Hailee Steinfield talking about sharing what you build
Professor Jonathan Haidt breaking down the anxious generation and serving up ways to help
Departing SNL cast member Ego Nwodim finding community in comedy
CEO and marketing mentor Bozoma Saint John launching her new show #OnBrand with Jimmy Fallon
Hinge founder and CEO Justin McLeod predicting the future of AI in dating apps
Thought leader Brené Brown daring us to lead with teasers from her new book Strong Ground
Actress and entrepreneur Shay Mitchell disclosing details about a new partnership between Gap and BÉIS
Best-selling author and TV host Joy Reid reminding us that change is always possible
There were, of course, more memorable moments during info-packed panels, dynamic networking sessions, behind-the-scenes brainstorming sessions and dinners galore. But Joy Reid's words stayed with me throughout the program:
“History teaches me that change is always possible...[w]e have to train ourselves to be our ancestors who did so much more with so much less.”
Change is always possible - as evidenced by the ideas sparked on the Fast Company stage and the way the audience leaned in to catch every word.
We stayed on the edge of our seats...secure in the knowledge that these innovators will bring us to the edge of new and bright future.
I can hardly wait to see it.
Looking forward,
Illana
ÊXTRAS: Three more glimpses of Fast Company's Innovation Festival you won't want to miss: the schedule of full events from this year (which still blows my mind), a clip from last year's 10th anniversary of the festival and ways to register to attend or speak at the 2026 festival!
