What makes a company a "true innovator"?

True innovators are companies that create entirely new markets or categories rather than simply competing within existing ones. They develop groundbreaking technologies, products, or business models that others must follow. Examples include Apple revolutionizing smartphones, Amazon creating cloud computing infrastructure, or Netflix inventing subscription streaming. These companies typically invest heavily in R&D, hold significant intellectual property, and fundamentally change how industries operate.

Why is investing in market creators potentially valuable?

Market creators often enjoy several advantages: they can establish early dominant market share, set industry standards that benefit them, build strong brand recognition before competitors arrive, and create ecosystems that generate customer loyalty. This can translate to sustained competitive advantages, premium pricing power, and potentially stronger long-term growth. As the originators of new technologies or business models, they're often positioned to benefit most directly from the trends they help create.

What is R&D and why does it matter for these stocks?

R&D stands for Research and Development—the process where companies invest in creating new technologies, products, or improving existing ones. For innovator companies, significant R&D spending is often critical to maintaining their leadership position. Companies that consistently invest in R&D can develop intellectual property (patents, trademarks, etc.) that protects their innovations, creates barriers to competition, and potentially generates new revenue streams through future breakthroughs.

How does artificial intelligence relate to this stock collection?

Many companies in this collection are at the forefront of AI development or are positioned to capitalize on AI advancements. AI represents a transformative technology that's enabling new products, services, and business models—exactly the kind of innovation these companies excel at. Some are creating the fundamental infrastructure for AI (like NVIDIA's GPUs), while others are incorporating AI into their existing products to extend their market leadership or create entirely new categories of offerings.

17 handpicked stocks

True Innovators

These aren't just companies—they're the architects of tomorrow's markets. Each stock has been carefully selected by our expert analysts for their ability to create entirely new industries, setting the standards that followers must imitate.

Han Tan | Market Analyst

Updated 2 days ago | Published at juin 17