EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA — Starkey has been named to Fast Company’s 2025 Next Big Things in Tech list, which recognizes innovations reshaping industries and advancing technology with meaningful impact. The distinction highlights Starkey’s role in developing hearing aids that function as intelligent health devices supporting communication, safety, and overall well-being.
The Next Big Things in Tech list honors companies of all sizes that demonstrate a forward-looking vision and the ability to bring practical innovation to market. Starkey was recognized among enterprise-level honorees for its advancements in artificial intelligence, connectivity, and integrated health monitoring—technologies designed to help individuals hear better, live healthier, and maintain independence.
“Starkey believes that innovation isn’t just about creating smarter hearing aids, it’s about reimagining what hearing technology can do for people’s lives. This recognition from Fast Company underscores Starkey’s commitment to setting the pace for what’s next in hearing technology, bringing powerful, intelligent innovation to millions around the world.”
–Brandon Sawalich, President and CEO of Starkey
Starkey continues to expand the role of hearing technology beyond sound amplification. Its latest developments incorporate AI and deep neural network processing to improve sound quality and clarity in varied listening environments, while offering seamless connectivity with platforms such as Apple, Google, Intel, and Amazon.
The company’s hearing devices also include features like fall detection, activity tracking, and balance assessment—tools designed to enhance user confidence and safety. By linking hearing health with overall wellness, Starkey is helping define a new category of connected health technology focused on communication, independence, and quality of life.
About Starkey
Starkey is a privately held global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Founded by Bill Austin in 1967, Starkey specializes in the design, development, and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Led by President and CEO Brandon Sawalich, Starkey is the only American-owned provider of hearing technologies. The company employs more than 5,000 people, operates 29 facilities, and serves customers in over 100 markets worldwide. Learn more at starkey.com.
