CORALVILLE, IA—May 22, 2012—The Entrepreneurial Development Center (EDC), a Cedar Rapids-based business accelerator, is pleased to announce that six of its clients were recognized at the Corridor Business Journal’s (CBJ) Fastest Growing Companies breakfast. The event, held Tuesday, May 22 at the Coralville Marriott, attracted a sold-out crowd of over 424 attendees. This notable list includes Bruce Lehrman, CEO of Cedar Rapids-based Involta, named Entrepreneur of the Year. The #1 fastest growing company was Midwest Microwave Solutions Inc. with 516.1% growth from 2009 to 2011. The CBJ expanded the list from 20 last year to recognize 25 companies at this year’s event.
EDC clients recognized as 2012 Fastest Growing Companies (and the growth they posted from 2009 to 2011):
#2 MobileDemand (421.4%)
#3 Clickstop (199.3%)
#6 Genova Technologies (146.4%)
#7 Ovation Networks (146.2%)
#22 Involta (45.8%)
#25 Geonetric (44%)
“I am proud of Involta’s growth and it is an honor to be recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year,” said Bruce Lehrman, CEO of Involta, provider of highly secure physical data center facilities and a leader in data protection and disaster recovery. “This growth and recognition could not have come without the efforts of our entire team. Also crucial to our growth and success is a community that supports scaling businesses like Involta, providing resources and assistance to help us successfully navigate our growth.”
EDC was the presenting sponsor of the fifth-annual event that recognizes companies with the highest growth rates in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor.
“The Fastest Growing Companies has grown as an event in its own right and is a great opportunity to recognize the contribution these area fast growing, scalable businesses have on our economy,” said Curt Nelson, President and CEO of the EDC. “The growth of these businesses and more like them are the largest net job creators year after year and are absolutely vital to Iowa’s future.”
Companies had to earn at least $350,000 annually and were ranked based on the percentage increase in revenue experienced from 2009 to 2011.
2012 Fastest Growing Companies
#1 Midwest Microwave Solutions Inc.
#2 MobileDemand
#3 Clickstop Inc.
#4 Compass Commercial Services LLC
#5 Lattice Communications Inc.
#6 Genova Technologies Inc.
#7 Ovation Networks
#8 Crystal Group Inc.
#9 Health Solutions LLC
#10 Tri-County Enterprises
#11 TMone
#12 MindFire Communications
#13 Raining Rose
#14 World Trend Financial
#15 Circle Computer Resources Inc.
#16 BHFO Inc.
#17 Skywalk Group
#18 Fiberutilities Group LLC
#19 Hybrid Transit Systems Inc.
#20 Innovative Software Engineering LLC
#21 Iowa Fluid Power
#22 Involta LLC
#23 Berthel Fisher & Company
#24 Oasis Falafel
#25 Geonetric Inc.
Other sponsors of the event included Kirkwood Training & Outreach Services, Honkamp Krueger & Co. and Nyemaster Goode.
About the EDC
The Entrepreneurial Development Center was incorporated in 2003 as a community-sponsored, non-profit business accelerator. The company provides economic growth through the development and expansion of entrepreneurial enterprises and has successfully assisted over 500 Iowa-headquartered businesses. Its focus is on creating local wealth for area re-investment by growing and cultivating regional, national, and international businesses. Visit www.edcinc.org for details.
