Not every breakthrough comes from a tiny startup or one of a handful of familiar tech giants. The honorees in the enterprise-size category are large enough to marshal serious resources but small enough to pivot quickly. That balance allows them to pursue ambitious projects without losing focus.

Hughes, an EchoStar Company
For making satellite connectivity faster and easier to deploy
Hughes has developed a new electronically steerable antenna (ESA) that delivers low-latency broadband from low Earth orbit satellites in a compact, flat-panel design. Lightweight, weather-resistant, and simple to install, the ESA integrates a built-in modem and Wi-Fi; it also hands off connections between satellites to keep them stable. A companion mobile app further streamlines setup, allowing technicians to scan the sky for obstructions, configure terminals, and troubleshoot on the spot. Hughes has already shipped more than 15,000 units worldwide, providing governments and enterprises with connectivity in places fiber and cellular can’t reach.

OneTrust
For bringing data governance into the AI era
Traditional governance tools weren’t built for the speed and complexity of AI. OneTrust’s Data Use Governance tool turns policies into machine-readable code, automatically enforcing rules within data pipelines and AI workflows. Instead of relying on manual reviews, the system blocks sensitive attributes, tailors access at the point of request, and flags compliance risks in real time. Still in preview, it’s already partnered with Databricks and Snowflake and is undergoing pilot tests by customers like Blackbaud, helping organizations move AI projects forward while staying compliant and ethical.

Starkey
For turning hearing aids into intelligent health devices
Starkey’s Edge AI hearing aid pairs advanced sound processing with health monitoring to set a new standard for hearing technology. Powered by the industry’s first Neural Processing Unit in a hearing aid, its deep neural network improves speech clarity by 30% and adapts automatically to noisy environments like restaurants or intersections. The slim, discreet devices also track activity, assess balance, and can detect falls, sending emergency alerts that Stanford researchers have already shown to save lives. With global integrations across Apple, Google, Intel, and Amazon, Starkey is positioning hearing aids as connected health tech that enhances communication, safety, and overall well-being.

The companies and individuals behind these technologies are among the honorees in Fast Company’s Next Big Things in Tech awards for 2025. Read more about the winners across all categories and the methodology behind the selection process.