The Future 50: Companies Built to Adapt and Thrive in Turbulent Times

December 02, 2024 | New at BCG

BOSTON—Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Fortune today unveiled the 2024 Future 50, their latest annual ranking of companies with the greatest potential for future growth—along with outsized returns for shareholders in the long term. This year, BCG and Fortune assessed the technological capabilities, talent, culture, and strategic orientation of 3,000 public and private companies to generate the final ranking.

“2024 has been a tale of two forces: optimism sparked by falling interest rates, and uncertainty caused by geopolitical unrest. This environment is a test of resilience and vitality,” says Ketil Gjerstad, a BCG managing director and senior partner, and leader of the firm’s strategy business. “This year’s Future 50 firms are a model of how to adapt, innovate, and grow amid technological, economic, and political change.”

Where the Growth Is

The center of gravity in global innovation has returned to the US—and companies that build and innovate with software and AI are dominating the field.

  • Tech leads the pack. As in 2023, over half of the Future 50 companies are software providers. Most of this year’s software companies are business-to-business firms, with cybersecurity and programming support systems having a particularly strong presence on the list.
  • AI remains a huge growth engine. Nearly all the 2024 Future 50 tech firms feature AI in their products, and the list includes several core foundation model and programming players.
  • US maintains innovation leadership. Thirty-eight of this year’s Future 50 are US-based. Europe’s presence on the Future 50 has risen slightly, with five companies on the list (up from two in 2023). China’s share has fallen as the country’s innovation ecosystem has stalled in recent years.

“The 2024 Future 50 shows that rapid growth and substantial value creation are achievable—even in volatile times,” says Johann Harnoss, a BCG partner and associate director for Innovation. “Supporting the success of companies with transformative potential is a shared responsibility for us all—whether as founders, employees, investors, or policymakers.”

To learn more about the 2024 Future 50, please read our article on Fortune’s website or in the December 2024/January 2025 issue of Fortune magazine.

Media Contact:
Eric Gregoire
+1 617 850 3783
gregoire.eric@bcg.com

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