(SeaPRwire) – In 2016, Sundar Pichai informed his employees that Google would become an “AI-first company.” At the time, the announcement seemed either insignificant or overly ambitious, especially since Google’s core business centered on internet search and advertising, where AI investments appeared disconnected from its primary operations. However, by 2022, when OpenAI launched a highly publicized chatbot and Anthropic soon followed, Google again appeared behind the curve. The initial outcomes of Pichai’s strategy to close that gap were, frankly, disappointing.
This January, Alphabet—Google’s parent company—achieved a market capitalization of $4 trillion, making it only the fourth company in history to reach that milestone. Gemini, Google’s flagship AI product, now accounts for approximately one-quarter of global AI traffic, up from nearly 6% at the beginning of 2025. What initially appeared to be a misstep ultimately became a defining chapter in the narrative Pichai began outlining over a decade ago.
This sixth edition of TIME100 Companies—led by Emma Barker Bonomo; our largest list yet, featuring 205 companies across 20 sectors—explores this kind of transformative storytelling. A central theme running through this year’s selections is the power of narrative: the capacity of both a company and its leader to present a vision compelling enough to inspire others, and to sustain that message long enough for the broader world to fully embrace it.
The three leaders featured on our covers exemplify this principle.
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For Pichai, success stemmed from unwavering conviction—a bold long-term bet that persisted until the industry finally recognized its value. For Hailey Bieber, founder of Rhode, the act of crafting stories was itself the product. Before even launching a single skincare product, she established a media platform on YouTube, programming her channel with the same strategic approach as a traditional network, according to collaborator Michael D. Ratner. Shortly after Rhode’s sale to E.l.f. Beauty in mid-2025—a deal valued up to $1 billion—the brand secured Sephora’s most significant debut in North America and the U.K. “We emphasize storytelling,” Bieber says. “We invite you into an entire universe.” As for Jimmy Donaldson—better known as MrBeast on YouTube—his ability to construct engaging narratives forms the foundation of his business model. Beast Industries, now valued at over $5 billion, employs more than 750 people and is expanding into a TV show, a payments platform, a snack line, and additional ventures. His team is positioning him as a modern-day Walt Disney fused with Mickey Mouse; Donaldson believes this comparison may actually undersell his ambitions: “If I shared some of the projects I hope to pursue 10 or 20 years from now, people would think I’m completely out of my mind.”
While the companies on this list differ greatly in size, age, and sector, they share one common trait: the ability to convey a story persuasive enough to attract followers and supporters.
Our focus on corporate leadership has intensified since we first introduced TIME100 Companies. Today, through newsletters such as In the Loop and Future Proof With Justin Worland, interview series like The Leadership Brief, and initiatives including TIME100 Philanthropy, we continue to engage with business leaders because they are increasingly shaping the direction of our world.
As we identify the next generation of companies poised to reshape daily life, we will not overlook the critical role of effective storytelling.
See the full list hereRead about the TIME100 Companies: Industry Leaders here:
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