BusinessWeek yesterday released its annual list of “The World’s Most Innovative Companies”.

The top spot went to Apple, with Google and Toyota rounding out the top three. The list is based on companies who “nurture cultures that value creative people in good economic times and bad, as well as those that develop a diversified stock portfolio, and display independent thought for corporate strategy.”

BusinessWeek works with the Boston Consulting Group to compile these results from recommendations by various executives. Other notables in the Top Ten include: Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, and Nokia.