Inner City 100

Every year, the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City identifies, ranks, and spotlights the 100 fastest-growing businesses located in America’s inner cities. These companies are experiencing rapid growth—and making a meaningful impact on their cities and communities.

EXPLORE THE LIST METHODOLOGY

The Top Ten

Choozle

NEW

Choozle – Digital Advertising Made Easy® – provides a digital advertising software platform that leverages detailed consumer data to power programmatic advertising campaigns across display, video, mobile, and other mediums – all from a single, intuitive interface. The company combines the sophistication of multiple digital advertising tools, a demand-side platform, data management platform, and smart tag management into a single platform. They support over 400 global marketers and advertisers that have run more than 39,000 self-serve digital advertising campaigns. Choozle is deeply embedded in the entrepreneurial and tech ecosystem in Denver. “We’re proud to be part of Denver’s startup heritage and look forward to seeing where it goes,” says Andrew.

Simple Energy

NEW

Simple Energy, now Uplight, was the industry leading provider of utility-branded marketplaces and instant rebates. Simple Energy reached over 40 million households in North America through partnerships with over 50 of the largest energy companies. Their software products delivered data analytics, API platform, and customer engagement to utilities. Recognized as #890 on the Inc 5000 list in 2018, Simple Energy was a rapidly growing mission-driven company whose mission was to motivate and enable people to take energy-wise actions and help utilities be a part of the clean energy ecosystem. A certified B-Corporation, Simple Energy was headquartered in Boulder, Colo. and became Uplight in 2019 when the company merged with Tendril.

Quesadilla Gorilla

NEW

Quesadilla Gorilla specializes in a wide and unique variety of the comfort food we all grew up craving: Quesadillas. The company’s goal is to keep the menu simple, fresh, affordable and, of course, delicious. Located in the heart of downtown Visalia, California, the restaurant’s customers come from all walks of life. Quesadilla Gorilla’s culture revolves around its employees, who they recognize as being their number one asset. The business takes care of its employees so that, in turn, they take care of the customers.

Cortina Solutions LLC

NEW

Founded in 2012, Cortina is an engineering and professional services company specializing in technical solutions with integrity for federal and industry customers in the defense and aerospace sectors. Cortina provides expertise in Missile Systems Engineering, Modeling & Simulation, Software Development, and Weapons Systems Test & Evaluation. Cortina currently supports the Missile Defense Agency’s Ballistic Missile Defense System, the US Army’s Cruise Missile Defense Systems, US Army PEO Combat Support & Combat Systems Support, the US Naval Health Research Center, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Cortina is a woman-owned small business and an SBA-certified HUBZone, which gives preferential treatment in government contracting and helps them create more jobs for their underserved communities.

THG Companies LLC

NEW

THG Companies is an emerging construction subcontractor specializing in three phases of the construction process; pre-construction set up (construction trailers, fencing,) interior commercial finishes (Drywall, Flooring, Tile), and post construction site breakdown. THG’s urban location has allowed the firm to more readily source talent and provide training opportunities to people from nontraditional backgrounds. Being a Baltimore-based firm creates opportunities to partner with local government, schools, and city-based career programs to build a strong workforce. In addition, their location allows THG to do its part to strengthen the local economy. THG’s company culture is one of hard work, constant growth, learning, and giving back to the communities they serve. THG’s staff is constantly working to encourage each employee to grow and expand their trade and business knowledge.

Scott, Vicknair, Hair & Checki LLC

NEW

Founded just eight years ago by two law school classmates, Scott, Vicknair, Hair & Checki, LLC (SVHC) is a rapidly growing legal firm that prides itself in working smart and fighting fiercely to get results. SVHC prides themselves on crafting a custom-tailored, outside-the-box approach for each of their clients. Cofounders Lauren Checki and Galen Hair started the firm in a one-room office, with only $7,000 and a single client. Through sheer grit and determination, Galen and Lauren, along with their partners, David Vicknair and Brad Scott, have built SVHC into a firm serving clients across the United States as well as in Europe and Asia. They put a high premium on supporting clients from every walk of life and sponsor volunteerism and pro bono efforts throughout the community, including domestic violence work. While they boast the resources of a large firm, SVHC emphasizes the small-firm mentality that gives customers highly attentive legal services.

neMarc Professional Services Inc.

NEW

neMarc Professional Services, Inc. is a woman-owned, minority-owned, small business providing temporary, full-time and direct hire services nationwide from a database of candidates experienced in numerous industries and an array of skillsets. In addition to staffing, neMarc also offers competitive rates for payroll, and other consulting services. neMarc’s urban location has provided it with a robust economic development infrastructure and environment for female entrepreneurship. The diversity and range of skills in the local labor pool are great for a temporary staffing firm, and neMarc utilizes skill assessments to make sure each employee meets the requirements of the job orders requested by clients. neMarc converts many contract and temporary employees to full-time employees for their clients, and this conversion has translated into an excellent reputation—a key reason neMarc has witnessed growth over the last five years.

French Truck Coffee

NEW

French Truck Coffee has doubled revenue year after year since launching in New Orleans six years ago. In doing so, that original shop has activated the surrounding community by bringing in bars, restaurants, and shops. “It has always been my contention that coffee shops change neighborhoods,” says CEO and founder Geoffrey Meeker, who strives to make French Truck an institution for each community it moves into. Geoffrey also works to promote inclusive prosperity through the company’s hiring practices: “We hire anyone, irrespective of education or background, who has the personality and ability to take care of the customers. I’ve seen people change their lives working with us – and change the community in the process.”

Pig & A Jelly Jar

NEW

Pig & A Jelly Jar is a uniquely Southern-inspired diner serving all things breakfast and brunch. It’s made from scratch, using local and organic ingredients whenever possible, and served with a hearty side of fun and just a sprinkling of irreverence. When the first Pig opened for business, it was an urban outpost for all-day brunch with a funky metalwork-bedecked patio and signage assuring visitors it’s okay to have beer with breakfast. Then, the city center neighborhood was sparse in hangouts and hotspots—but today, it has exploded with cool cafes, boutiques, and fitness studios—something that the Pig hopes to have had a little something to do with. Just a few years ago, they started with five employees, a killer chicken and waffles recipe, and the work ethic to get absolutely anything done. As the staff has grown to 70 employees, Pig’s people remain the not-so-secret ingredient to success. The employees come as they are—ready to meet incredibly high expectations, knowing they’ll get the support, training, and mentoring to do it.

Cloudbakers

NEW

Cloudbakers brings the cloud down to Earth. The company believes the future of businesses hinges on adopting and adapting to changing technology – and Cloudbakers is here to help. Being one of only a few Google Cloud Premier Partners, their mix of 50% tech skills and 50% people skills means they bring together custom solutions and side-by-side support, giving customers the confidence to leave their old ways behind and embrace the freedom a better cloud can bring. Cloudbakers’ location in Chicago has afforded them easy access to public transportation as well access to the local talent pool. The company culture encourages employees to be authentic and be themselves! Their employees work hard, and though the cloud technology field can be difficult to navigate and understand, Cloudbakers tries to humanize as much of it as they can.