15 companies that will change the world

These game-changing startups are likely to upend existing industries - and spawn new entrepreneurial opportunities.

Vanu
Vanu Bose wants to break down communications barriers.
Vanu
CEO: Vanu Bose
Disruption: Software that allows mobile networks to accommodate devices with different standards
Disrupted: Wireless network providers and equipment makers

As any frustrated U.S. cell phone switcher knows, one carrier's phones often won't work on another carrier's network. That's because some use different wireless standards - the two dominant ones are GSM and CDMA. Vanu Bose, son of the audio equipment inventor, is selling equipment that could change all that. Vanu's software-defined radio uses Linux servers to help tear down the communication barriers.

Wireless Web's future

Blinkx

Raydiance

Expensr

Zipcar

MFG.com

Virgin Charter

PatientsLikeMe

Bloom Energy

Vanu

Zink

A123 Systems

Renewable Energy Group

Desktop Factory

Cree

One laptop per child
The New Disruptors video series Editor-at-Large Erick Schonfeld discovers startups with the potential to overturn existing industries or open up entirely new markets. (more)
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Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.