This article was written by Sindy Yeh, Senior Business Ambassador for Arlington Economic Development.
Inc. Magazine named 34 Arlington companies in its annual list of the nation’s 5,000 fastest-growing companies, the Inc. 5000, while five were part of the exclusive Inc. 500.
Half of the companies are in government services while about a quarter are technology companies in the software, IT and security fields. Last year, Arlington saw the same number of companies on the list, up from 21 companies in 2017.
And which Arlington neighborhoods do the companies choose to grow their thriving businesses? Ballston is in the lead with 10 of the 34 companies, but Crystal City, home of Amazon’s future headquarters, is a close second, with six companies located there. Three of the top five fastest growing companies are located off Columbia Pike or in Shirlington in close proximity to the Pentagon.
Associated Veterans topped the list of Arlington companies at number 67 with an astounding 4,346% growth rate over the past three years. Associated Veterans is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business that provides professional services and consulting to the government.
Higher Logic, number 1,917 on the list, is the recipient of one of Arlington County’s Gazelle Grants, a grant aimed at attracting fast-growing technology companies. Several of the finalists were also featured in the Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s Fantastic 50 program, including Sehlke Consulting, Changeis, U.Group, Metis Solutions, Firebird AST, Enterprise Knowledge and Neostek.
“We are really proud of the innovative companies that call Arlington home and the dynamic entrepreneurs who lead them,” said Marian Marquez, Interim Director of Business Development for Arlington Economic Development. “Arlington’s strong representation in this prestigious list is a testament to the exciting growth happening in our community and we fully expect to see this grow in years to come.”
Arlington companies such as Fila Group and U.Group are also thrilled to be on the list.
“Fila Group’s inclusion on the elite Inc. 5000 list for the second year — and moreover in the top 500 companies — is incredibly meaningful to our company,” said Jonathan Keough, President and Chief Operating Officer. “The recognition reinforces our company’s reputation as a competitive leader in the demanding information technology sector. We will continue to strengthen and diversify our business and deliver the best in service and solutions to our clients.”
“Being included on the Inc. 5000 takes on special meaning this year, as it’s our first as a fully-integrated company. It shows that our team is doing amazing work, our clients are trusting us with their toughest challenges, and we’re creating real impact in the organizations and industries we serve. 2019 was great, but U.Group is truly just getting started,” said Lena Trudeau, Chief Executive Officer.
To qualify for the Inc. 5000, companies must show the past three calendar years of sales to prove their revenue. Additionally, they must be U.S. based, privately held and independent — not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies. Revenue in the initial year must have been at least $100,000, and revenue in the most recent year must have been at least $2 million.
Here is the full list of Arlington companies that made the cut and their ranking:
67. Associated Veterans
91. Capitol Bridge
368. Stealth-ISS Group
373. Strategic Alliance Business Group
484. The Fila Group
586. Green Powered Technology
768. Sehlke Consulting
775. NewsWatch
796. Indev
867. Changeis
949. MJ Seats
1240. U.Group
1324. Mobile Posse
1619. 540.co
1630. Metis Solutions
1740. Science and Medicine Group
1750. Firebird Analytical Solutions and Technologies
1917. Higher Logic
2411. Enterprise Knowledge
2625. ThreatConnect
2762. InterImage
2848. OpenWater Software
2894. Excella Consulting
2922. Fonteva
2923. Fors Marsh Group
3150. TorchLight Hire
3184. EMD Strategies
3350. Man-Machine Systems Assessment
4229. DRT Strategies
4332. Clarendon Partners
4556. IDS International Government Services
4729. NEOSTEK
4818. Barone Consulting
4865. SecureStrux