2008 CRN Fast Growth 100: Speed Demons

New Faces Stoke The List
Newcomers made up more than half of the 100 companies (see "Adapt—And Grow Like Gangbusters"). However, as was mentioned earlier, 2007 alumni outshine the newcomers in profitability, averaging 19 percent profit compared with newcomers' 5 percent.

Newcomers also generally tended to grow at a slower pace than alumni. The average growth rate of newcomers was 131 percent, which is 15 percent below the list's average. However, among those that were also on the list in 2007, the average growth rate was 184 percent, which is 20 percent higher than the 2008 list's average.

Where They're From
Does geography play a role in success? Fast Growth companies come from all over the United States. Using the U.S. Census' definitions of geographic regions, CRN found that the most companies, 29 of them, come from the Northeast (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont), and accounted for $3.78 billion in revenue, or 35.5 percent of the entire FG100's revenue.

The South (Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia) has the second-highest number of FG solution providers—26. They account for $3.84 billion in revenue; that's 36 percent of the entire FG100's revenue.

Twenty-one companies hail from the Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin). Those 21 account for $949.82 million in total revenue, or 8.9 percent of the FG100 list.

The West (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming) is home to 23 companies. They came in with total revenue of $1.24 billion, equal to 11.7 percent of the list's total revenue.

In addition, another company, Genpact Global (FG 2008 #81), which hails from Puerto Rico, reported revenue of $821 million, or 7.8 percent of the total list. Fast-growing companies are spread throughout the United States and its territories.

The companies that have made our list have shown perseverance and a commitment to growth despite a stormy economic climate. They have found a niche to thrive in, whether that's a vertical or a particular family of technologies. They are focused and driven to succeed, and that is what propels their growth. Growth for the sake of growth is unhealthy; the key is to grow wisely, within a business plan, to outline and achieve concrete, measurable goals. In its totality, the growth of the exclusive club of IT solution providers can't be slowed by economic forces, but, instead, is adaptable, innovative and indomitable.

New Faces Stoke The List
Newcomers made up more than half of the 100 companies (see "Adapt—And Grow Like Gangbusters"). However, as was mentioned earlier, 2007 alumni outshine the newcomers in profitability, averaging 19 percent profit compared with newcomers' 5 percent.

Newcomers also generally tended to grow at a slower pace than alumni. The average growth rate of newcomers was 131 percent, which is 15 percent below the list's average. However, among those that were also on the list in 2007, the average growth rate was 184 percent, which is 20 percent higher than the 2008 list's average.

Where They're From
Does geography play a role in success? Fast Growth companies come from all over the United States. Using the U.S. Census' definitions of geographic regions, CRN found that the most companies, 29 of them, come from the Northeast (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont), and accounted for $3.78 billion in revenue, or 35.5 percent of the entire FG100's revenue.

The South (Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia) has the second-highest number of FG solution providers—26. They account for $3.84 billion in revenue; that's 36 percent of the entire FG100's revenue.

Twenty-one companies hail from the Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin). Those 21 account for $949.82 million in total revenue, or 8.9 percent of the FG100 list.

The West (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming) is home to 23 companies. They came in with total revenue of $1.24 billion, equal to 11.7 percent of the list's total revenue.

In addition, another company, Genpact Global (FG 2008 #81), which hails from Puerto Rico, reported revenue of $821 million, or 7.8 percent of the total list. Fast-growing companies are spread throughout the United States and its territories.

The companies that have made our list have shown perseverance and a commitment to growth despite a stormy economic climate. They have found a niche to thrive in, whether that's a vertical or a particular family of technologies. They are focused and driven to succeed, and that is what propels their growth. Growth for the sake of growth is unhealthy; the key is to grow wisely, within a business plan, to outline and achieve concrete, measurable goals. In its totality, the growth of the exclusive club of IT solution providers can't be slowed by economic forces, but, instead, is adaptable, innovative and indomitable.

Research editor Jeanette Boyne contributed to this story.