DC's Fastest-Growing Companies
Companies that grow quickly tend to have at least three things in common: they're disruptive, and they have big customers and loyal employees. Today kicks off DC's Fastest-Growing Companies list, and those are the traits of these first set of high-flying firms. Stay tuned for more in the next few issues of Tech Bisnow and come help us celebrate these entrepreneurial cheetahs at a networking cocktail on Oct. 20 at 1776-Crystal City. Here's how you join us.
Mapbox
Company: Core mapping technology for developers to add maps, directions, search and anything else about location to their app.
Employees: 120 in offices in DC, San Fran, Peru and India.
Growth: Team has quadrupled since 2013.
Reason for growth: Over 680,000 iOS apps this past year relied on location to provide services. Designers and developers increasingly need powerful, flexible mapping tools for their apps and sites.
Top customers: Foursquare, Github and Pinterest.
Latest news: Raised $52.5M in Series B funding this summer; launched a design suite in beta; and built a map to show how sea ice has changed through satellite images.
Most people don’t know: Competitive Jenga is a big thing in the Mapbox offices.
HumanTouch
Company: HumanTouch works for government and commercial clients, developing innovative tech solutions focused primarily on tech infrastructure, big data and analytics, cybersecurity, content management and other cloud-based innovations.
2014 revenue: $33.5M
Employees: 225
Growth: 50% in revenue and 30% more employees over 2013.
Reason for growth: Being more innovative as a way to set itself apart from other “Beltway bandits.” HumanTouch, a 2014 8(a) graduate, developed several new products, including its most recent: CorasCloud, a cloud-based application development platform.
Top customers: Marine Corps, Army, FDA, Pfizer, Verizon and Corning.
Latest news: Release of CorasCloud in August.
Most people don’t know: As a way to build personal relationships with employees, CEO Moe Jafari, who launched the company in ’98, regularly asks employees if they need anything from him. He also sits on the board of “Decorate a Veteran,” which provides home restorations and holiday decorations for the homes of DC-area veterans.
Social Tables
Company: Cloud-based hospitality software for planning meetings and events. Over 60,000 unique users rely on the desktop and mobile products and over 350,000 events have been planned within the company's 320M SF Venue Library.
Employees: 100
Growth in last year: 96% in head count; 150% revenue growth.
Reason for growth: Hiring the right people and giving them the tools, direction and space to do their jobs. Also the product is competitive because it allows users to collaborate. The company also connects its customers with others in the industry, lobbies on their behalf on Capitol Hill and hosts events for customers’ continuing education.
DC area customers: Newseum, Smithsonian, Washington Nationals, Ronald Reagan International Trade Center and Windows Catering.
Latest news: Social Tables announced this month it’s now on six continents, where it has over 1,200 customers in 51 countries. Social Tables also just hired two global directors, representing APAC and EMEA.
Most people don't know: Social Tables is a “deliberately developmental organization,” which means it encourages perpetual personal renewal for every employee both personally and professionally.
WeddingWire
Company: Global online marketplace connecting consumers with event and creative professionals. Site includes over 2.5 million vendor reviews and the ability to search, compare and book from a database of over 400,000 businesses.
2014 revenue: $48.8M
Employees: 724
Growth: 44% in revenue and 48% more employees since 2014.
Reason for growth: First-of-its-kind technology for wedding professionals and consumers, and the company has been able to stay ahead of the curve with that technology. Also recent acquisitions expanded its reach into Europe and Latin America.
Latest news: WeddingWire acquired Wedding Planner and GayWeddings.com this year.
Most people don’t know: WeddingWire launched a company-wide event called WeddingWire Donate so that employees could work with DC area organizations and causes. The company also has its “Giving Tree” program that organizes its work with DC-area and national charitable organizations.
UrbanStems
Company: Delivers fresh, long-lasting flower bouquets in under an hour, starting at $35 with free delivery. Text message is sent from outside the recipient's home or office when delivered.
Employees: 15
Reason for growth: Obsession with making the flower sending experience awesome again. A good experience spreads by word-of-mouth, which contributes to growth.
Top customers: Can’t release names but some of the top customers include a very famous judge, a Fox News host and a French billionaire.
Latest news: UrbanStems expanded into Brooklyn in July and started offering premium bouquets for special occasions.
Most people don’t know: Company has robust corporate discount program where commercial real estate and law firms are sending thousands of bouquets to clients.
