Disruptive Innovators Screener
July 16th 2025
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Following a rigorous screening for "Disruptive Innovators," five companies have been identified that meet the demanding criteria of high growth, significant research and development investment, expanding profitability, and a market capitalization under $20 billion. These companies are positioned at the forefront of innovation in their respective fields.
The screening filters applied were:
Annual Revenue Growth: ≥ 20%
R&D Spend Growth: ≥ 10% for the past three consecutive years
Gross Margin: > 40% and expanding
Market Capitalization: < $20 Billion
Here are five companies that meet these disruptive innovator criteria as of July 15, 2025:
GitLab Inc. [GTLB]
Sector/Industry: Technology / Software - Application
GitLab provides a comprehensive DevOps platform, delivered as a single application, that fundamentally changes the way development, security, and operations teams collaborate. This single application approach creates a more efficient and secure software development lifecycle, positioning GitLab as a key player in the future of software creation.
Disruptive Innovator Profile: GitLab's impressive revenue growth of over 30% demonstrates strong market adoption. The company has consistently increased its R&D spending by more than 10% annually for the past three years, fueling its innovative platform. Its gross margin remains high and has shown expansion. As the company is still in a high-growth phase, its operating income (EBIT) is currently negative, resulting in a negative EV/EBIT and ROIC.
Samsara Inc. [IOT]
Sector/Industry: Technology / Scientific & Technical Instruments
Samsara is a pioneer of the Connected Operations Cloud, which allows businesses that depend on physical operations to harness IoT data to develop actionable business insights and improve their operations. By digitizing the world of physical operations, Samsara is driving efficiency, safety, and sustainability for its customers in sectors like transportation, construction, and manufacturing.
Disruptive Innovator Profile: Samsara has exhibited strong annual revenue growth exceeding 35%. The company's commitment to innovation is evident in its consistent and significant year-over-year increases in R&D spending. Its gross margins are healthy and have been expanding. Similar to other high-growth innovators, Samsara is currently investing heavily in its growth, leading to a negative EBIT and ROIC.
Monday.com Ltd. [MNDY]
Sector/Industry: Technology / Software - Application
monday.com provides a flexible cloud-based Work Operating System (Work OS) where organizations of any size can create the tools and processes they need to manage every aspect of their work. Its visual and collaborative platform is disrupting the traditional project management software market by offering a more intuitive and customizable solution.
Disruptive Innovator Profile: monday.com has consistently delivered revenue growth of over 30%. The company has also demonstrated a strong commitment to product development with R&D spending growth surpassing 10% annually for the last three years. Its gross margins are robust and have shown an upward trend. Unlike some earlier-stage innovators, monday.com has recently achieved positive non-GAAP operating income.
Bill.com Holdings, Inc. [BILL]
Sector/Industry: Technology / Software - Infrastructure
Bill.com offers a cloud-based software that simplifies, digitizes, and automates complex back-office financial operations for small and midsize businesses. By providing a unified platform for managing accounts payable and receivable, Bill.com is a leader in the digital transformation of business payments.
Disruptive Innovator Profile: Bill.com has shown strong revenue growth in recent years. The company has a consistent track record of investing in its platform, with R&D expenses growing by more than 10% annually over the past three years. Its high gross margins have also been expanding. The company's focus on growth has resulted in a negative operating income for now.
Toast, Inc. [TOST]
Sector/Industry: Technology / Software - Infrastructure
Toast provides an all-in-one point-of-sale and restaurant management platform for restaurants of all sizes. By integrating point of sale, front of house, back of house, and guest-facing technology, Toast is helping restaurants to streamline operations, improve guest experiences, and grow their businesses in a rapidly changing industry.
Disruptive Innovator Profile: Toast has been experiencing rapid revenue growth as it expands its footprint in the restaurant industry. The company has made substantial and consistent investments in R&D to enhance its platform's capabilities. While its gross margins are above 40%, they are still in the process of expanding as the company scales. The company's current focus on growth and market penetration is reflected in its negative EBIT and ROIC.
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