Inc. Magazine revealed its 36th annual Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment— its independent small and midsized businesses.
In the most competitive crop of the list’s history, 28 companies in the Charleston region were named – including 13 tech companies spanning across industries: Financial Services, Advertising & Marketing, Media, Security, Software and Telecommunications.
First-time honoree SnapCap, an online lending firm, led the pack ranked #258 with a 3-year growth rate of 1,661% and $7.7M revenue in 2016. They were joined by more newcomers to the list: Q4Launch, Visiture and TargetMarket. Cyber-services firm ISHPI ranked for the 7th consecutive year. Other multi-year honorees included Purecars, Blue Acorn, PhishLabs, Advantage Media Group, Call Experts, Cantey Technology and Stasmayer.
The 2017 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2013 to 2016. To qualify, companies must be privately held and have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2013. The average company on the list achieved a mind-boggling three-year average growth of 481%. The Inc. 5000’s aggregate revenue is $206 billion, and the companies on the list collectively generated 619,500 jobs over the past three years.
Here is the roundup of Charleston tech companies who made the 2017 Inc. 5000 list:
SnapCap – helps small businesses find performance-based financing, which evaluates the health of the business.
2017 Rank: #258
3-Year Growth: 1,661%
2016 Revenue: $7.7 M
Location: Charleston, SC
Industry: Financial Services
Founded: 2012
Top SC Companies: #2
PureCars – digital marketing agency that works with automotive dealers around the United States. Uses big data and analytics tools to offer them more relevant information on customers so they can improve the car buying experience for those who come into their dealerships.
2017 Rank: #644
3-Year Growth: 704%
2016 Revenue: $70.2 M
Location: Charleston, SC
Industry: Advertising & Marketing
Founded: 2007
Top SC Companies: #6
Previous Inc. 5000 Rankings: 2016, 2015, 2014
Q4Launch – digital marketing partner for 100+ hotels, bed and breakfasts, small resorts and vacation rental companies.
2017 Rank: #940
3-Year Growth: 466%
2016 Revenue: $2.7 M
Location: Mount Pleasant, SC
Industry: Advertising & Marketing
Founded: 2008
Top SC Companies: #10
Blue Acorn – digital commerce agency that is geared towards pushing companies so they can maximize their revenue with e-commerce sites and intelligent marketing.
2017 Rank: #1515
3-Year Growth: 266%
2016 Revenue: $12.8 M
Location: Charleston, SC
Industry: IT Services
Founded: 2008
Top SC Companies: #18
Previous Inc. 5000 Rankings: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013
PhishLabs – offers cybercrime protection and intelligence services that limit the risk of phishing, malware and general cyber-attacks.
2017 Rank: #1596
3-Year Growth: 247%
2016 Revenue: $8.3 M
Location: Charleston, SC
Industry: Security
Founded: 2008
Top SC Companies: #19
Previous Inc. 5000 Rankings: 2016, 2015, 2014
Visiture – Internet Marketing Company specializing in helping medium-sized businesses increase their Internet presence with Paid Search, SEO, and Social Media.
2017 Rank: #1665
3-Year Growth: 235%
2016 Revenue: $2 M
Location: Charleston, SC
Industry: Advertising & Marketing
Founded: 2008
Top SC Companies: #22
ISHPI – provides cyber services to the US Armed Forces and other direct defenders, specializing in information operations.
2017 Rank: #2162
3-Year Growth: 168%
2016 Revenue: $61.1 M
Location: Mount Pleasant, SC
Industry: IT Services
Founded: 2006
Previous Inc. 5000 Rankings: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
Ceterus – makes financial reporting and automated accounting software for small businesses.
2017 Rank: #2474
3-Year Growth: 144%
2016 Revenue: $2.9 M
Location: Charleston, SC
Industry: Software
Founded: 2008
Previous Inc. 5000 Rankings: 2016
TargetMarket – Designs and develops websites and offers internet marketing services.
2017 Rank: #2617
3-Year Growth: 134%
2016 Revenue: $2 M
Location: Summerville, SC
Industry: Advertising & Marketing
Founded: 1992
Advantage Media Group – international publisher of business, self-improvement, and professional development books and online learning.
2017 Rank: #2688
3-Year Growth: 129%
2016 Revenue: $6.9 M
Location: Charleston, SC
Industry: Media
Founded: 2005
Previous Inc. 5000 Rankings: 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012
Call Experts – provides a full-service call center, call experts, virtual office services and customer support globally.
2017 Rank: #2695
3-Year Growth: 129%
2015 Revenue: $7.9 M
Location: Charleston, SC
Industry: Telecommunications
Founded: 1982
Previous Inc. 5000 Rankings: 2016, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009
Cantey Technology – 0ffers managed IT services, tech consulting and other related services to businesses around the United States. Works with mid-sized companies, school districts, law firms and medical practices.
2017 Rank: #4173
3-Year Growth: 64%
2016 Revenue: $4.2 M
Location: North Charleston, SC
Industry: IT Services
Founded: 2007
Previous Inc. 5000 Rankings: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013
Stasmayer – offers IT support and management, cloud-based services, support and technology disaster recovery to major businesses.
2017 Rank: #4712
3-Year Growth: 49%
2016 Revenue: $3.8 M
Location: North Charleston, SC
Industry: IT Services
Founded: 2003
Previous Inc. 5000 Rankings: 2015, 2014
