New York, NY, Aug. 20, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inc., the only major business media brand aimed solely at CEOs of private companies, has unveiled its annual exclusive lists of the fastest-growing companies in America, the Inc. 500 and Inc. 5000. The lists are a comprehensive celebration of the most dynamic and innovative players in today's economy--America's independent entrepreneurs.
Despite a tough economic environment, the median three-year growth of 2012 Inc. 500 companies was a remarkable 1,436 percent, the highest rate in the list's 31-year history. Payment processor Unified Payments tops this year's list with an astounding three-year growth rate of 23,646 percent. Other prominent brands on the list include Facebook, Yelp, yogurt maker Chobani, Giftcards.com, KIND and convenience retailer Kum & Go.
Together the companies of the Inc. 500 and its expanded online version, the Inc. 5000, made enormous contributions to the US. economy. The 2012 honorees, in aggregate, generated $299 billion in 2011 revenue and, over the past three years, created 389,000 jobs.
"To be honored this year is a particularly notable achievement. To rank among the 2012 Inc. 5000--let alone, the Inc. 500--a company had to thrive through three of the toughest years this economy has seen in living memory. Their success in such times is eloquent testimony to their team's creativity, resilience, and tenacity" says Inc. Editor Eric Schurenberg
The complete listing of the Inc. 500 appears in the September issue of Inc. magazine (available on newsstands August 21 to November 15 and on Inc.com), and the complete Inc. 5000 appear in Inc.com and in Inc.'s Apple Newsstand edition, starting on August 21.
The list made its debut in 1981 as a ranking of the 100 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. The following year, it expanded to 500 companies and, in 2007, the Inc. 5000 was inaugurated. Companies such as Microsoft, Zappos, Clif Bar, Intuit, Jamba Juice, Zipcar, Oracle, and many other well-known names gained early exposure as members of the Inc. 500. Through each evolution, Inc. has sought to recognize and to celebrate the creativity, dedication, and hard work that entrepreneurs put into building their companies.
Complete results, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found on Inc.com/5000.
Methodology
The 2012 Inc. 500 and Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2008 to 2011. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2008. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independent--not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies--as of December 31, 2011. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2008 is $100,000; the minimum for 2011 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.'s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found in its entirety at www.inc.com/5000 or in the Apple Newsstand's edition of Inc.'s September issue.
About Inc. and the Inc. 500|5000
Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today's innovative company builders. Total monthly audience reach for the brand has grown significantly from 2,000,000 in 2010 to over 6,000,000 today. For more information, visit www.inc.com.
The Inc. 500|5000 is a list of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. Started in 1982, this prestigious list of the nation's most successful private companies has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success. The Inc. 500|5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony is an annual event that celebrates their remarkable achievements. The event also offers informative workshops, celebrated keynote speakers, and evening functions.
For more information on Inc. and the Inc. 500|5000 Conference, visit www.inc.com.