Autonomous robot delivery company joins the ranks of OpenAI, Disney, Tiffany & Co., and more
SAN FRANCISO | March 2, 2023
Starship Technologies, the world’s leading provider of autonomous delivery services, has been named to Fast Company’s prestigious annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2023.
This year’s list highlights the businesses at the forefront of their respective industries, paving the way for the innovations of tomorrow. These companies are setting the standard with some of the greatest accomplishments of the modern world. In addition to the World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies, 540 organizations are recognized across 54 sectors and regions.
“This is an incredible honor for Starship and we couldn’t be more excited,” said Alastair Westgarth, CEO of Starship Technologies. “We’re just about to celebrate five years of commercial, autonomous deliveries so receiving this recognition is a big kudos to our entire team who continue to set the industry standard. We’re looking forward to continuing our focus on innovation by bringing convenient and affordable food delivery and convenience items to more partners and people around the world.”
Starship has a global fleet of more than 2,000 robots that provide autonomous, on-demand food and grocery delivery. The robots have operated at L4 autonomous level since 2018 and often complete multiple deliveries with no human intervention. Starship is operating on nearly 40 US college campuses as well as neighborhoods in the UK and several other European countries.
In 2022, Starship signed a partnership deal with Grubhub to provide robot delivery services on multiple campus. Starship partners with other dining service providers and directly with universities on campuses across the country, including UCLA, UNLV, Notre Dame, Baylor, Wayne State University and University of Mississippi. In the UK, Starship has expanded its partnership with national grocer Co-op and expanded service areas.
Milestone achievements in 2022 include passing 4 million commercial, autonomous deliveries, securing nearly $100 million in funding, and removing more than 450,000 car journeys, according to an internal analysis completed after four years of commercial service.
Fast Company’s editors and writers sought out the companies making the biggest strides around the globe. They also judged nominations received through their application process.
The World’s Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company’s signature franchise and one of its most highly anticipated editorial efforts of the year. It provides a firsthand look at the inspiring and innovative efforts of companies across all sectors of the economy.
“What a strange and thrilling year it has been to honor this year’s Most Innovative Companies. This year’s list compiles some of the most cutting-edge groundbreakers who are changing our world every single day, from legacy organizations like McDonald’s to upstarts like MrBeast and institutions such as NASA. Everyone on this list does something completely, uniquely different, yet, they all have one thing in common: innovation,” said Fast Company editor-in-chief Brendan Vaughan.
Fast Company will host its third annual Most Innovative Companies Summit on April 19 and 20. The virtual summit celebrates the Most Innovative Companies in business, and provides an inside look at cutting-edge business trends and what it takes to innovate in 2023. Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies issue (March/April 2023) is available online here, as well as in-app form via iTunes, and on newsstands beginning March 14. The hashtag is #FCMostInnovative.
ABOUT STARSHIP TECHNOLOGIES:
Starship Technologies is revolutionizing deliveries with autonomous robots. The robots are designed to deliver food, groceries and packages locally in minutes. The delivery robots have traveled millions of miles and completed over 4 million autonomous deliveries around the world. Starship was founded by Ahti Heinla and Janus Friis (Skype Chief Architect and Co-founder) and Alastair Westgarth is the CEO.
ABOUT FAST COMPANY
Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication Inc., and can be found online at www.fastcompany.com
