AUSTIN, September 8, 2026 — Fast Company today announced its eighth annual Best Workplaces for Innovators list, recognizing businesses that are creating cultures where innovation can thrive at every level. Red Oak earned its spot at No. 47.
The 2026 Best Workplaces for Innovators list recognizes 100 companies across industries such as entertainment, biotech, consumer packaged goods, marketing, education, and healthcare. To be considered, applicants detailed their investment in innovation, internal programs, and company culture. Fast Company’s editors evaluated each application and conducted extensive research to develop a score for each company. A distinguished panel of judges then reviewed the top-rated companies to determine the final honorees.
“This recognition reflects something we care about as much as our product roadmap: a culture where a good idea can start anywhere in the company and turn into real change,” said Romir Bosu, CEO of Red Oak. “Some of what’s shaped our platform started outside engineering, and we built from there. We’re proud to foster an environment where innovation thrives.”
That culture is backed by sustained investment. Over the past year, the single biggest item in Red Oak’s operating budget is research and development. While creating a single platform that connects every stage of the compliance lifecycle, every employee is exposed to collaborative programs across departments, from hackathons to AI sprints, starting with onboarding and continuing throughout the year, that give them room to test ideas outside their usual roles. That investment only accelerates today, as Red Oak and MirrorWeb have merged creating a full connected compliance platform.
“The most innovative workplaces don’t simply ask their employees to come up with great ideas; they create the conditions that make great ideas possible,” says Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company. “This year’s honorees understand that innovation is ultimately a cultural commitment that requires empowering people to think differently, take risks, and turn ideas into actions. We’re proud to recognize the companies and executives who are leading by example.”
The full list of honorees is available at https://www.fastcompany.com/best-workplaces-for-innovators/list.
About Red Oak
Red Oak and MirrorWeb have combined to deliver end-to-end compliance connectivity, governing the full regulated communication lifecycle: content creation, review, distribution, supervision, and analytics, on one connected platform. The platform is powered by Mira, purpose-built AI that’s agentic, auditable, and built for regulated reality. It serves the financial services industry, including 17 of the top 20 global asset managers, delivering faster approvals, broader distribution, and compliant AUM growth. Founded in 2010 and based in Austin, Texas, Red Oak has been named to the Inc. 5000 for eight consecutive years. To learn more, visit redoak.com or follow Red Oak on LinkedIn.
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 fellow business publication Inc. For more information, please visit fastcompany.com.
