This year, 20 Chattanooga-area companies made the Inc. 5000 list – the highest number of local companies ever featured on Inc. Magazine’s annual list of fastest-growing companies. This is a huge accomplishment, not only for each company represented, but also for Chattanooga.
To qualify, companies have to hit an annual revenue threshold of $100,000 in 2019 and $2 million in 2022. Then, they have to show three consecutive years of revenue growth at high enough rates to beat other companies across the country that also applied. The final rankings represent a culmination of at least four years of great work – usually more.
Chattanooga businesses are getting stronger, and that’s evident through the Inc. 5000 list.
As Chattanoogans, we recognize Gig City as a top place to live. It’s also increasingly a great place to build a business. This combo creates a virtuous cycle where people are drawn here, join our workforce, and more people want to do the same.
It also encourages out-of-town investors who recognize potential in both Chattanooga and its companies.
Kyle Bryant, Managing Partner of Market Street Partners, is ranked on this year’s list and recently merged with Atlanta-based CPA firm Howard + Smith. Bryant explained it this way:
“It has been fun to watch more and more Chattanooga-based businesses land on the Inc. 5000 list every year,” Bryant said. “As our city’s representation on the list grows, it bolsters our credentials as a place where you can start and grow a business, and that in turn encourages more entrepreneurship and investment. I look forward to seeing more on the list next year and the benefits it delivers across the board.”
Chattanooga’s attraction extends to remote workers who come for our top amenities. Local businesses directly benefit from this growing talent pool. As more talented people join local companies the entire community rises together.
Recognitions like Inc. 5000 set our community apart as a great place to live and work. As this cycle gains momentum, our collective stock grows ever higher.
Jason Provonsha, CEO, Steam Logistics – the highest-ranked local company on this year’s list – agreed.
“With every new addition to the Inc. 5000 list from Chattanooga, it makes it that much easier to attract more new businesses and capital to this city,” Provonsha said. “Not only that, but it also helps in recruiting top-tier talent. The highest performing people want to work alongside other high-performing people, and Chattanooga being well-represented on the Inc. 5000 sends a signal that we’re a growing hotbed of talent.”
Chattanooga doesn’t seek to be the next Silicon Valley or Austin, Texas. It prefers to be uniquely Chattanooga – an identity we deeply cherish.
This continued success enables us to support one another and bring essential resources to our local business community. We seek to be a part of something great – and I for one am pretty excited about it.
Kenneth Burke is Vice President of Marketing at Text Request, a national leader in the business messaging space, headquartered in Chattanooga. Text Request has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list for the past three years.
