WORLD AND WANTS : MASTER NEWS

Most Influential Companies : Which businesses and corporate leaders are shaping our future? Here, the listed below, six businesses making an extraordinary impact around the world.

1.- GOTO GROUP : AN INDONESIAN GIANT

GOTO Group, an Indonesian ''super-app'' with 100 million users offering everything from ride hailing, shopping, and entertainment to payments and financial services, is said to expand even more this year.

That's thanks to a planned $1.26 billion IPO this April that's expected to value the company at nearly $29 billion.

Formed last year in a blockbuster merger, GoTo Group previously raised more than $1.3 billion in November from investors looking to ride the wave of Southeast Asia's rapidly growing digital economy, which is expected to double to $360 billion by 2025. [ Juliette Pearse ].

2.- GOODRX : MAKING MEDICINE AFFORDABLE

Doug Hirsch's realization that his $500 prescription cost only $250 elsewhere led him to create GoodRx, which offers digital coupons for prescription drugs.

''We've tried to inject market forces into a business that traditionally hasn't had them,'' says co-founder and co-CEO Hirsch.

GoodRx, which makes money via online advertising, says it has saved its users $35 billion since 2011, while revenue topped $200 million for the first time in the most recent quarter - success that underscores Americans' struggle to get affordable medicine. [ Don Steinberg ]

3.- THE PINKFONG COMPANY : THE EARWORM MACHINE

''BABY SHARK,'' which this January became the first YouTube video to be viewed more than 10 billion times, is more than just a catchy song - it's a big business for its creator, South Korea's Pinkfong Company.

Paramount announced in February that a feature-length Baby Shark movie is in the works, and an animated series for preschoolers that launched on Nickelodeon last spring is headed into Season 2.

The company has also started selling Baby Shark NFTs, expanding its merchandising efforts into the digital realm. [ Chad de Guzman ].

4.- STARRY : Cheaper broadband

The U.S. has made strides in closing the broadband gap, but millions still lack adequate home internet access because of high costs, credit requirements, and more.

A potential solution from home wireless startup Starry and CEO Chet Kanojia : Starry Connect, an affordable offering for low - income city residents.

More than 55,000 public and affordable housing units in Boston, New York City, Denver, and elsewhere have access, no credit checks are required, and federal subsidies can cover the cost [ Alex Fitzpatrick ]

5.- SONDER : READY FOR DEPARTURE

As the travel and hospitality industry seeks to rebound post-Omicron, Sonder, a tech-forward short-term rental provider that leases and manages 18,100 units in 35 cities across 10 countries, stands to take off.

Guests of the uniquely designed, locally inspired spaces manage their entire stay through the company's app, from booking to check-in, fresh towels to dinner reservations.

''Sounder is building the hospitality brand of tomorrow,'' says CEO and co-founder Francis Davidson.

Sonder made its debut on the Nasdaq and secured $400 million in new capital last year, and it increased revenues by more than 150% in each of its last three quarters. [ Jared Lindzon ]

6.- MICROSOFT : GAME ON

Xbox maker Microsoft stunned gamers in January by announcing plans to acquire Activision/Blizzard, publisher of Call of Duty and Overwatch.

The company says that nearly $70 billion deal would help it serve the world's 3 billion gamers. However, the planned tie-up, which sparked a wave of similar moves across the $200 billion gaming industry has invited regulatory scrutiny.

More broadly, CEO Satya Nadella's Microsoft has been on a hot streak, beating expectations with $51.7 billion in revenue in the most recent quarter. [E.B.]

The Publishing continues into the future. The World Students Society thanks Time 100.