Cengage Named a Finalist for Fast Company’s 2020 World Changing Ideas Awards

Company recognized for its groundbreaking initiative—Cengage Unlimited—to tackle the college affordability crisis

First all-access subscription for college course materials has saved students $200 Million since launching in August 2018

BOSTON— April 28, 2020 — Cengage, an education and technology company, has been named a finalist for Fast Company’s 2020 World Changing Ideas Awards in recognition of the company’s efforts to tackle the college affordability crisis. The company was honored for Cengage Unlimited, the first all-access subscription service for college textbooks and course materials.

Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Awards honor businesses, policies, projects and concepts that are actively engaged and deeply committed to flattening the curve when it comes to the climate crisis, social injustice or economic inequality.

“The cost of obtaining a college degree is an insurmountable obstacle for too many students to overcome,” said Michael E. Hansen, CEO, Cengage. “That’s why we created Cengage Unlimited: to disrupt the traditional college publishing model and offer students affordable access to quality course materials. We are humbled that Fast Company has recognized our contribution to address the college affordability crisis with Cengage Unlimited, which has already helped millions of students.”

Since launching in August 2018, Cengage Unlimited has saved college students over $200 million with more than 2.6 million subscriptions sold. A subscription gives students access to more than 22,000 products, including eBooks, online homework access codes and study guides for one price, no matter how many materials they use. The subscription also includes free access to college success and career support; including activities in resume-building, financial literacy, time management and more. A subscription also includes access to services including Dashlane, Evernote, Kaplan, and Quizlet.

“The unprecedented upheaval caused by COVID-19 has underscored the affordability divide in higher education. Everyone in the higher education ecosystem must take action to innovate and advocate to ensure all learners have equitable opportunity and access to quality learning,” Hansen continued.

Now in its fourth year, the World Changing Ideas Awards showcase 26 winners, more than 200 finalists, and more than 500 honorable mentions. A panel of eminent judges selected winners and finalists from a pool of more than 3,000 entries across transportation, education, food, politics, technology, and more. The 2020 awards feature entries from across the globe, from Vancouver to Singapore to Tel Aviv.

“There seems no better time to recognize organizations that are using their ingenuity, resources, and, in some cases, their scale to tackle society’s biggest problems,” says Stephanie Mehta, editor-in-chief of Fast Company. “Our journalists, under the leadership of senior editor Morgan Clendaniel, have uncovered some of the smartest and most inspiring projects of the year.”

All of the finalists are highlighted in the May/June issue Fast Company’s print magazine, which hits newsstands May 5. To learn more about Cengage Unlimited, visit: https://www.cengage.com/unlimited/

About Cengage

Cengage is the education and technology company built for learners. As the largest US-based provider of teaching and learning materials for higher education, we offer valuable options at affordable price points. Our industry-leading initiatives include Cengage Unlimited, the first-of-its-kind all-access digital subscription service. We embrace innovation to create learning experiences that build confidence and momentum toward the future students want. Headquartered in Boston, Cengage also serves K-12, library and workforce training markets around the world. Visit us at www.cengage.com or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

About the World Changing Ideas Awards

World Changing Ideas is one of Fast Company’s major annual awards programs and is focused on social good, seeking to elevate finished products and brave concepts that make the world better. A panel of judges from across sectors choose winners, finalists, and honorable mentions based on feasibility and the potential for impact. With a goal of awarding ingenuity and fostering innovation, Fast Company draws attention to ideas with great potential and helps them expand their reach to inspire more people to start working on solving the problems that affect us all.

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