How We Chose the TIME100 Companies of 2025

TIME's annual TIME100 list of the most influential companies in the world is a curated selection of organizations that have made a significant impact across various sectors, including healthcare, entertainment, fashion, and technology. This year, the process of selecting the TIME100 Companies of 2025 involved soliciting nominations from a wide range of fields, ensuring a diverse and comprehensive representation of the year's most influential entities.

One of the standout companies featured in this year's TIME100 list is Waymo, an autonomous taxi service that has made remarkable strides in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the physical world. While the idea of AI-driven taxis may seem futuristic or even scary to some, Waymo has already become an integral part of daily life in several major metropolises. The company has completed over 10 million rides, demonstrating its ability to operate seamlessly within urban environments.

To gain a deeper understanding of Waymo's impact and future trajectory, TIME correspondent Andrew R. Chow spent time riding Waymo autonomous vehicles in Austin and spoke with the company's co-CEOs, Dmitri Dolgov and Tekedra Mawakana. Their insights formed the basis of a cover story in the fifth annual TIME100 Most Influential Companies issue.

Waymo serves as a prime example of responsible tech development. The company has focused on a critical cause: reducing traffic deaths. To achieve this, Waymo has developed its technology with utmost care and has rolled it out slowly, even by the glacial standards of Silicon Valley. This cautious approach is driven by the understanding that a single fatal accident could not only end their company but also the entire industry.

"Trust is hard to build and easy to lose," Mawakana told TIME. "We've learned the amount of humility needed: Ultimately, it's the riders who are going to decide."

On the second cover of the issue, Ryan Reynolds' marketing and production firm, Maximum Effort, is highlighted for its innovative approach to building public trust. The company coined the term "fastvertising" to describe its ability to capitalize on cultural moments and produce relevant ads in just a few days. Reynolds' honest and accessible style has been key in gaining consumer trust, and the results have been impressive.

The companies Reynolds co-owns or has sold are valued at over $14 billion. His latest Deadpool movie became the highest-grossing R-rated film ever, with more than $1.3 billion at the box office. Additionally, his soccer team, Wrexham, has gained significant attention, further solidifying Reynolds' influence in the entertainment industry.

The TIME100 Companies of 2025 list is a testament to the power of innovation, responsibility, and strategic thinking in shaping the future. By highlighting organizations like Waymo and Maximum Effort, TIME underscores the importance of balancing ambition with caution, ensuring that technological advancements and business strategies are both impactful and sustainable.