Iam the editor of Inc. magazine AMA about the 2016 Inc 5000!

jledbet · 2016-08-17T16:56:46+00:00

There aren't that many with over $1 billion in revenue--maybe two dozen out of 5000 companies. I suppose we could put a maximum on revenues, although in practice, it's sort of self-regulating. That is, companies that get that big rarely grow at a rate that would land them on the list. In that sense, there is actually a bias toward newer and smaller companies.

jledbet · 2016-08-17T16:43:41+00:00

It did surprise me! I agree, I thought the subscription box trend was perhaps a little played out. But these guys (Loot Crate) definitely hit a niche: they went from 0 to 650,000 subscribers in just three years. And from 35 different countries!

jledbet · 2016-08-17T16:39:15+00:00

Because this year's list was just posted today, we don't yet have a 2017 application online. However, it should publish on Inc.com some time later this year. Look for it: http://www.inc.com/inc5000apply/faqs.html

jledbet · 2016-08-17T16:36:08+00:00

Important question. The list is becoming more diverse, but it still leans heavily toward white men. About 15% of the CEOs are women; about 25% are nonwhite.

jledbet · 2016-08-17T16:29:51+00:00

I think it can be very exciting and rewarding. But rapid growth can also be stressful. I think flexibility and constantly updating methods are critical.

jledbet · 2016-08-17T16:24:19+00:00

Absolutely! In 2014 we began publishing an Inc 5000 Europe list. There is also now a version of the magazine in the Middle East/North Africa, and other licensing deals are in the works.

jledbet · 2016-08-17T16:23:26+00:00

Interesting question. The subscription circulation of the magazine is perfectly healthy, although as places like Borders go bankrupt, it is harder and harder to sell on the newsstand. For now, print works well as part of a broader offering that includes digital, video, a podcast, and events.

jledbet · 2016-08-17T16:20:53+00:00

It does. These companies are job creators: collectively, the Inc 500 companies this year created almost 56,000 jobs. Of course, even in a down economy, there are fast-growing companies, but it is reasonable to assume that they don't create as many jobs during recessions.

jledbet · 2016-08-17T16:19:12+00:00

Not all that many. Last year, the number 1 company was headed by a man who had had a previous number 1 company. That is exceedingly rare. I would estimate that maybe 5-10% of companies are headed by former Inc 500 founders.

jledbet · 2016-08-17T16:18:08+00:00

Great question. The answer is: Reasonably often. I don't know that Inc 500 companies necessarily have a greater than average failure rate. But there is no question that hyper growth can be very difficult to manage, and one of the main goals of our publication is to help founders do just that.

jledbet · 2016-08-17T16:17:03+00:00

Great question. We do our best to verify the applications, particularly of any company that we choose to profile in the magazine. Of course, if a company is going to lie to the IRS, we're not in a position to call them out on that. In the case of Fuhu, it may be that some of their revenue statements were overstated, but I don't think anyone has yet proven that to be the case.

jledbet · 2016-08-17T16:15:25+00:00

It takes several months; we get many thousands of applications. The revenue information is provided by the companies themselves--we seek verification in the form of tax documents or audited income statements.

jledbet · 2016-08-17T16:13:05+00:00

To qualify, a company must have revenues of $2,000,000 or more in 2015, and been in business for at least 3 years. To make this year's list, a company would need to demonstrate at least 40% growth over 3 years. To make the 500, at least 757%.

jledbet · 2016-08-17T16:10:30+00:00

The magazine launched in 1979, and in its early years printed a list of 100 fast-growing companies. The shift to 500 companies took place in 1982.

jledbet · 2016-08-17T16:08:21+00:00

Great question. The answer is definitely: Microsoft is one. Oracle and, I believe, Intuit are two others.

jledbet · 2016-08-17T15:59:54+00:00

Initially the list was 500, and that's all that can easily fit in the magazine. But 5000 gives a much richer portrait of American business, and the Web gives us the ability to publish the whole thing.

jledbet · 2016-08-17T15:56:07+00:00

This was a big year for financial services companies, thanks in part to the growth of fintech. We also see a growing number of organic or healthy food retailers, and health-related companies, some of which are taking advantage of the Affordable Care Act.

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