The list honors the businesses that have not only found a way to be resilient in the past year, but also turned those challenges into impact-making processes. These companies did more than survive, they thrived—making an impact on their industries and culture as a whole. This year’s MIC list features 463 businesses from 29 countries.

“It’s gratifying to see Encantos recognized for inspiring kids to learn the 21st century learning, literacy, and life skills that they need to reach their full potential,” said Steven Wolfe Pereira, CEO of Encantos. “Our proprietary Storyteaching methodology combines the best of entertainment, education, and technology to teach children the skills they need in the ways they learn best – through digital and physical play. We’re driven to help prepare kids for a future that is more diverse and connected than ever before.”

In Spring 2020, the pandemic forced schools to go virtual, and parents everywhere witnessed the gaps in education. Without the benefits of in-person school, including multimodal learning and socialization, families struggled to keep kids learning and growing at home. Despite attempts to make Zoom learning productive, children had trouble staying engaged and parents sought out trusted brands that were digitally-savvy and that combined the best of entertainment and education to extend learning from the classroom into the living room.

Encantos immediately came to the aid of parents with engaging learning materials designed by early education experts and brought to life with world-class storytellers, designers, and animators. The Encantos Learning Hub was launched within a few weeks of the nation-wide lockdown with free digital content to help kids learn early preschool concepts in English and Spanish, as well as content for kids 5-8 to learn about the world around them through geography, history, and the social sciences. In addition, Encantos made their entire digital library of animated videos available for free on YouTube. Within a few months, the company launched a subscription-based learning app that extends the learning opportunities beyond its extensive line of physical learning products including books, games, plush, and more.

Not only did this strategy help parents during one of the toughest times, it also proved the market opportunity for engaging digital learning products, accelerating the company’s growth and establishing Encantos as a clear leader. As a Public Benefit Corporation, Encantos believes in the power of doing well by doing good. Anchored by its subscription-based learning app, Encantos extends the experience with its physical learning products including books, games and toys. Encantos has quickly become one of the world’s top publishers of diverse authors, bringing to life authentic stories that may not otherwise have the opportunity to be told. Their flagship brand, the Emmy-nominated, Kidscreen award-winning Canticos, brings Latinx culture and the benefits of bilingualism to young children. Tiny Travelers teaches global citizenship and seeks to introduce children to the magic of every country in the world. Skeletitos teaches resilience, helping children face their fears and anxieties. This honor from Fast Company reinforces the urgency of Encantos’ purpose as we begin to imagine a post-pandemic world.

Fast Company’s editors and writers sought out the most groundbreaking businesses across the globe and industries. They also judged nominations received through their application process.

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