Fortune’s Future 50 list—a ranking of the world’s fastest-growing, most promising companies—once again places the spotlight on businesses shaping the next era of innovation. While the list is heavily dominated by software and AI ventures, and still overwhelmingly led by male founders, a few female-founded powerhouses are standing tall—and making a strong case for investors.

The Women Leading the Charge

Canva (No. 32) – Founded and led by Melanie Perkins, Canva has grown far beyond its roots as a graphic design tool. Now valued at $32 billion, it is pivoting into enterprise productivity and AI-powered coding, making it one of the most anticipated IPOs on the horizon. Perkins’ vision has already transformed employees into millionaires through secondary share sales, while positioning Canva as a global design-tech disruptor.

Anthropic (No. 29) – Cofounded by Daniela Amodei, Anthropic is one of the fastest-growing names in the AI industry, valued at $61.5 billion. Unlike many of its rivals, the company distinguishes itself by focusing on the ethical and political implications of AI, balancing innovation with responsibility in an increasingly high-stakes sector.

A Proven Investment Edge

The Future 50 list is more than recognition—it’s a predictor of success. Since its launch, companies featured on the ranking have consistently outperformed the MSCI World stock index by 1.4 percentage points, generating average annual total returns of 12%.

For investors, the takeaway is clear: female-founded companies aren’t just driving innovation, they’re delivering results.

The Bigger Picture

Despite these success stories, the broader narrative remains: women-led companies are still the minority in global growth rankings. Yet the examples of Perkins and Amodei prove that when women do lead, the results are both transformative and profitable.

As the future of business becomes increasingly AI-driven, investors looking for both growth and impact would do well to keep an eye on these trailblazers.