50 Colo Companies to Watch 2013
Transcription
50 Colo Companies to Watch 2013
// COLORADO’S TOP 100 PUBLIC COMPANIES, P. 16 // cobizmag.com JUNE 2013 Volume 40, No. 06 A WiesnerMedia Publication | $3.95 5TH ANNUAL BREAKING DOWN THE BANKING BIZ WITH JOHN IKARD P. 8 WHAT’S MISSING FROM THE HIGHLANDS P. 13 PROS AND CONS OF STATE-FUNDED FILM PRODUCTION P. 54 SECOND-STAGE BUSINESSES PORTEND BRIGHT FUTURE FOR STATE Five years strong, Colorado Companies to Watch continues to enhance the state’s economy M aybe you know them, and maybe you don’t. But if you don’t – you definitely should. In the last five years, Colorado Companies to Watch has showcased 250 of the state’s business movers and shakers, the up-and-comers, the growers, the builders, the job-creators. From the program’s inception in 2009 through today, these best and brightest second-stage companies have fanned the flames of Colorado’s economic fire in every industry and every corner of the state. “Colorado Companies to Watch represents a unique partnership between government, private sector and communities to recognize and support the game-changers in Colorado,” says Ken Lund, executive director of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), which picks the winners with judges from both the public and private sectors. “These second-stage businesses – with more than $410 million in total annual revenue last year – continue to create jobs and grow the state’s economy and are vital to the state’s continued growth,” Lund says. It’s easy to see. From 2009 through 2012, this year’s 50 winners alone generated $1.1 billion in revenue and added 815 employees, reflecting a 149 percent increase in revenue and 135 percent increase in jobs for the four-year period. That translates into a 36 percent annual revenue growth and 33 percent annual growth in employees. And there’s no stopping them. If projections for 2013 hold, this year’s class will have generated $1.7 billion in revenue and added 1,275 employees over the last five years – a 279 percent increase in revenue and 212 percent increase in jobs. Colorado’s first class of winners stepped out in June 2009, a time when the economy [ 22] JUNE 2013 | COLORADOBIZ | COBIZMAG.COM was suffocating under a crippling recession. But it’s not all about the bottom line. “Right when we needed good news stories Company culture and community impact more than ever, we had them – 50 amazcount, too. ing successes to talk about when bad news One World Labs, a Denver-based team was dominating the media,” says founding of IT security experts, belongs to Hackers Program Director Stephanie Steffens. for Charity, which solves technology chalThe Companies to Watch program was lenges for various nonprofits and provides developed by the Edward Lowe Foundation, food, equipment, job training and computer which was started by the late Edward Lowe, education to people in poverty. creator of Kitty Litter, and his wife, Darlene, Cycla LLC, a family-run professional thrift to promote entreprerecycling company in neurship. Federal Heights, pro2013 Colorado To be considered, vided the seed money Companies to Watch companies must be in 2011 to start Recycle Economic Impact of 50 Colorado-based, priThat LLC, which partvately held, employ six ners with nonprofits to Second-Stage Companies to 99 full-time equivahelp them raise funds lent employees and through textile recycling. $410 million in total annual have $750,000 to $50 Combined efforts of both revenue in 2012 million in sales or a companies nationwide 51.9 percent increase in total similar range of workhas diverted more than annual revenue compared to ing capital. And per230 million pounds of the previous year haps most importantly, textile waste from landthey must be more than fills nationwide. 1,417 full-time equivalent On the following surviving, but thriving. employees in 2012 pages, you’ll find proThis year’s winners’ 1,255 in Colorado files of a star from each circle includes Adaptive 162 out of state Colorado Companies Innovations Corp., a to Watch class of the Lakewood engineering 460 net new jobs past, plus snapshots of firm specializing in cusprojected for 2013 the 50 stellar winners tom machine automa364 in Colorado from 2013. tion, robotics and test 96 out of state “These companies equipment that has quaare the change agents drupled its work force in Colorado,” says Sam Bailey, OEDIT’s and seen an eightfold increase in revenue in current Colorado Companies to Watch prothe last five years, including a nearly 300 pergram director. “When I look at what has cent revenue increase in 2012 alone. Another been built over the past five years, Colorado 2013 winner, MM Local, has increased revtruly shows how government, local commuenue by nearly 3,000 percent since 2009 nities and businesses can come together in and expects another 30 percent growth this an amazing way.” year through produce-preserving partnerships — Lisa Ryckman with local family farmers. Enabling the Entrepreneurial Spirit Success happens here. Helping Colorado businesses one relationship at a time. At CapitalValue Advisors, we recognize the significant financial and personal risks you’ve taken as a business owner to pursue your passions and dreams. Your commitment serves as the cornerstone for our collective economic and social success, which is why we are dedicated to helping you. Valuation Mergers & Acquisitions We leverage the depth of our business experience and our disciplined process to bring more than just money to the table. Let us know if we can help you – we all need you to win. Board Advisory Capital Raises Congratulations to the 2013 Class of Colorado Companies to Watch! 2013 P RESENTING S PONSOR 188 Inverness Drive West, Suite 110 | Englewood, CO 80112 | 720.733.0400 | www.capitalvalue.net [ 24] JUNE 2013 | COLORADOBIZ | COBIZMAG.COM FIRST FOUR REFLECTIONS A Review of Colorado Compaines to Watch from 2009-2012 By Lisa Ryckman COCTW Class of 2009: Colorado Yurt Co. Dan and Emma Kigar’s first home evolved to become their first business. A tipi set up at 11,000 feet in Breckenridge in 1976 grew into Earthworks Tipis, which morphed into Colorado Yurt Co. What started as a home-grown, two-person venture has grown into a 30-person operation with production facilities in Montrose that create everything from 12-foot diameter tipis, tents up to 700 square feet and yurts 30 feet in diameter, all of which meet stringent structural parameters. Since its inclusion in the inaugural Colorado Companies to Watch class in 2009, Colorado Yurt Co. has posted 10 percent per annum growth and increased its payroll by 23 percent, founder Dan Kigar says. And that’s not all. “Our company culture has become more transparent and responsive to the creativity inherent in the people who make our organization run,” he says. “Our efforts in sustainability have become more comprehensive and measurable, and we’ve burnished our reputation for innovation, quality and professionalism.” This year Colorado Yurt’s production department came up with a plan to increase output by 25 percent, and its marketing department developed a corresponding plan to increase sales. “This potential growth challenged all phases of our company to develop more efficient and sophisticated systems and planning tools,” Kigar says. “Sustaining this growth means hiring more employees and making capital improvements.” Kigar says being selected as a Colorado Company to Watch was a national marketing opportunity that the company used to lasting advantage. Colorado Yurt’s products were recently featured in a 1,000-item list on the Science Channel’s “How It’s Made,” which took viewers from the company’s design and construction process to the formation of structures on Mount Sneffels. Kigar says product innovation based on customers’ needs and suggestions plays an important role in helping the company maintain its edge in the marketplace. “To survive in a locally based manufacturing business, you have to be able to react quickly and intelligently to external pressures,” he says. The key: People. “Talented, dedicated individuals make this operation run. And while talent is never in short supply, assembling a team that is willing to pull together has made all the difference,” Kigar says. “Everyone counts.” COCTW Class of 2010: Funovation Erick Mueller measures his company’s growth in grins: 16 million and counting, a 350 percent increase since Funovation was named a Colorado Company to Watch in 2010. One play of its patented Laser Maze Challenge equals one smile, Mueller explains. A smile counter on the company website tracks its global happiness impact – which is, of course, directly related to its bottom line. “We’re successful when our customers are successful,” says Mueller, who founded the Longmont-based company in 2007 and now serves as chairman and vice president of 2013 COLORADO COMPANIES TO WATCH GALA DINNER AND AWARDS CEREMONY PRESENTED BY CAPITALVALUE ADVISORS Friday, June 28 5 p.m. Registration and Welcome Reception 6:30 p.m. Dinner and Awards Denver Marriott City Center; 1701 California St. Cocktail attire Individual tickets: $135 • Corporate table of 10: $1,200 Register Today www.coloradocompaniestowatch.org The Marriott is offering a special room rate (see link in event registration on website) COBIZMAG.COM | COLORADOBIZ | JUNE 2013 [ 25] sales and marketing. “Our team is available to make sure our customer’s maze is up and running, creating smiles and making money at all times. We’ll even help our customers hire staff.” Speaking of hiring: Funovation’s work force has increased by 60 percent since 2010 to keep up with a 245 percent increase in installations of its patented Laser Maze Challenge around the world. “Our biggest challenge has been scaling our business in the best way,” Mueller says. “We’ve overcome this by always focusing on delighting our customers and growing our business around that. Specifically, we’ve stayed focused on building our team of Funovators with exceptional talent who buy into our vision of reminding the world to play.” Being named a Colorado Company to Watch has helped attract that talent, Mueller says, along with increasing the company’s profile and credibility with customers. “It was a great win for us to celebrate the value that we had created from just three guys sitting around a table with an idea to generate millions in revenue and locations around the world,” he says. One key to the company’s success: Taking fun – but not themselves – very seriously. So product development becomes “our Fungineering team playing in the sandbox.” And Friday afternoon might find the [ 26] JUNE 2013 | COLORADOBIZ | COBIZMAG.COM Funovators pelting each other with Nerf balls or opening the office Laser Maze to school kids or youth groups. As for the future: more mazes, more countries, more profit – and tons more fun. “In 2010, we created one smile every 8.7 seconds. Today, we create a smile somewhere in 20 countries around the world every 4.9 seconds,” Mueller says. “We’re really excited to progress in our goal of creating one smile per second.” COCTW Class of 2011: Moots Cycles For the serious cyclist, sweet dreams are made of Moots: light-as-air, tough-as-nails, titanium beauties, lovingly designed, mitered, welded, finished and machined by Butch, Nate, Bryce, Willy, Caleb, Amy and the rest of the gang up in Steamboat Springs. They’re not cheap – a Moots can easily set you back $5,000 – but for those in the know who have got the dough, nothing less will do. “Even during the tough economic times, consumers were willing to ‘pay up’ for high-end products, but they demanded more value in those products,” says Moots President/CEO Rob Mitchell, who joined the 32-year-old company in 2007. “So it dovetailed nicely into the value we offer cyclists in our Moots bikes and components – lifetime bikes, handcrafted in the U.S.” In 2009, Moots wowed the cycling community with its leading-edge road bike, the Vamoots RSL, a testament to the possibilities of aerospace-grade titanium. Since then, the rapidly rising price of high-end carbon steel bikes has helped Moots thrive, Mitchell says. “That pricing trend, along with carbon’s continuing challenge with durability, allowed people to more immediately and clearly see the exceptional value in titanium versus carbon, at like-ranged prices,” he says. Mitchell says Moots has continued growing since it was named a Colorado Company to Watch two years ago and expects to remain on that upward trajectory, despite a somewhat sluggish overall bike market. To help offset that, Moots has supported its independent dealers through personal territory visits, Moots education and clinics and other helpful floor display tools, he says. The company also started a Moots In-House Dealer Camp program. “We host one to three dealer partners for two to three days at Moots,” Mitchell says. “We immerse them in the Moots culture, our build philosophies, our build process and craftsmanship focus while, of course, having a lot of fun riding or skiing and getting to know the Moots crew over dinners.” He credits that increased support, along with a clear plan and innovative design and performance, for driving Moots’ success. Ultimately, though, Mitchell says, it’s about focusing on “what we do best: handcrafting the finest titanium bikes for cycling enthusiasts around the world – and consistently telling that story to the cycling community.” COCTW Class of 2012: Rocky Mountain Popcorn Co. For Karen Bradley, it’s all about the popcorn: The flavor. The quality. And especially – the location, location, location. When she bought the 20-year-old Rocky Mountain Popcorn Co. (RMPC) in 2007, s e s d s Able Planet www.ableplanet.com Snapshot: Able Planet designs and manufactures audio and communication devices for individuals with all levels of hearing. The products range from consumer headphones to devices for hearing health. The company was founded in 2005 and is based in Wheat Ridge. Leadership: Kevin Semcken has been CEO since 2005. Work Force: Able Planet had 21 full-time employees and eight part-time in 2012, and expects to have 25 full-time and two parttime employees this year. Pivotal Moment: At the International Consumer Electronics Show in 2006, Able Planet won an Innovations Design and Engineering Award in the Embedded Technology Category for its LINX AUDIO technology. This led to the development of the company’s first consumer headphone, Clear Harmony. Tech Edge: Able Planet LINX AUDIO alters audio signals creating high frequency harmonics off every fundamental sound. Most hearing loss occurs in the high frequency, so Able Planet’s products create high frequency sounds that are untainted. Community Involvement: Able Planet donates assistive listening products to schools, and sends its “I Am Able” sponsored athletes such as Ashley Fiolek – who is deaf and a Women’s Super X Motocross World Champion – to schools to motivate kids to overcome auditory challenges. Adaptive Innovations Corp. www.a-i-corp.com Snapshot: Adaptive is an engineering firm specializing in design, build and programming of custom machine automation, robotics, test equipment and fixtures. The company was founded in 2002 and is based in Lakewood. Leadership: Michael Abdella and Scott Robinson are co-owners. Robinson founded the company in 2002. Revenues increased 296 percent in 2012 and are projected to increase 49 percent this year. Work Force: The company had 15 fulltime equivalent (FTE) employees in 2012 and expects to have 19 this year. Big Break: In 2008 the leadership made a decision to shift primary offerings from custom test equipment and tooling to custom machine automation. Adaptive changed its messaging and marketing and won its first automation project in 2011. A year later the company landed a second, much larger project. Tech Edge: Customers include companies in aerospace and defense, medical device, automotive, electronics and other sectors. Adaptive integrates the latest technologies, such as advanced robotics and progressive software and controls, to reduce costs and improve reliability for its clients. Community Involvement: Adaptive supports Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation, which helps sick or injured hockey players. Adaptive also supports events and fundraisers led by the Boulder Rugby Club, including volunteering time, coaching kids and raising money. Agility Solutions www.agility-solutions.com Snapshot: Agility Solutions is a consultancy that works with telecom, energy, hospitality and technology companies in Denver. Revenue increased 41 percent in 2012 and is projected to increase 21 percent this year. Leadership: Sami Ibrahim and Cody Sudmeier are principals and co-founded Agility. Work Force: Agility does not disclose how many employees it has, but says the company uses behavioral interviewing plus speed recruiting, or short, structured interviews, in the hiring process. Pivotal Moment: Companies decreased their spending during the Great Recession, so Agility began offering clients a successbased fee model, in which clients only pay for direct, measurable improvements to their bottom line. Tech Edge: In 2012, Agility launched a new brand identity, creating a service suite called Profit Assurance. Today the company is serving new customers outside the U.S. Community Involvement: In 2012 all Agility team members participated in at least one of the firm’s community service engagements, contributing more than $6,000 to nonprofits such as the American Cancer Society and Adopt a Family holiday gifts for families of fallen troops. AGPROfessionals LLC www.agpros.com Snapshot:AGPROfessionals LLC offers research and feasibility, location and site selection, property acquisition and due diligence, federal, state and local land use, environmental permits and entitlements and other services to agricultural entities. The Longmont-based company was founded in 2000. Leadership: Thomas Haren is owner and CEO. Revenues increased 75 percent in 2012 and are projected to increase 10 percent this year. Work Force: The company had 16 FTE employees in 2012 and expects to increase by two in 2013. Pivotal Moment: The company divested non-agricultural activities in 2005 to focus exclusively on agriculture with its one-stopshop and services. In 2009 AGPROfessionals was approached for a merger, and although it did not sell, the company implemented new efficiency improvements. Tech Edge: AGPROfessionals uses biotechnology, computerization, remote sensing, engineering, business, public policy and natural resource convergence to help solve some of the challenges the industry faces. Community Involvement: The com- COBIZMAG.COM | COLORADOBIZ | JUNE 2013 [ 29] pany donates and sponsors calves in the annual livestock auction, and supports the Boys & Girls Clubs of Weld County, FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America) and 4-H. In a 2012 survey employees chose world food production as the company’s philanthropy and identified the Weld County Food Bank and Heifer International as a part of that mission. Audioair, Airborne Media Group Inc. www.audioair.com Snapshot: In 2011 Airborne Media Group created Audioair, a technology that permits smartphone and tablet users to selectively listen to muted televisions in private and public venues, such as airports, sports bars, universities, casinos, fitness clubs and hospitals. Revenues grew 59 percent in 2012, and are projected to increase 1,015 percent this year. Leadership: Cordell Brown is CEO of the Durango-based company. Work Force : The company had 18 fulltime employees in 2012 and expects to have 32 by end of this year. Pivotal Moment: In 2012 Airborne Media Group debuted Audioair at South By Southwest Interactive, the tech conference of the SXSW festivals in Austin, Texas. The technology was also noticed at TechCrunch Disrupt San Francisco 2012. Tech Edge: The dedicated platform provides the opportunity to develop ad content that can be distributed to Audioair locations in real time. The venues and advertisers can use the digital channel to reach a targeted segment in specific locations with unique content. Community Involvement: Airborne Media Group provides digital signage on its ad platform to local charities free of charge. BEW Global www.bewglobal.com [ 30] JUNE 2013 | COLORADOBIZ | COBIZMAG.COM Snapshot: BEW Global is a data protection company with customers in more than 23 countries. The company was founded in 2002 and is based in Greenwood Village. Revenues increased 48 percent in 2012 and are projected to increase 30 percent this year. Leadership: Robert Eggebrecht is cofounder, president and CEO. His counterpart, Chuck Bloomquist is vice president and CTO. Work Force: The company had 33 fulltime employees in 2012 and expects to have 60 this year. Big Break: Leadership decided BEW Global would specialize in Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and spent the first five years in business educating the market on the risks of data loss and the need for DLP. Software vendors let BEW talk to their prospects and clients about the need for a strategic DLP system. Tech Edge: BEW Global offers consulting services and 24/7 Intelisecure Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) solutions. BEW Global also offers a cloudbased DLP delivery portfolio that integrates leading DLP solutions with best-inclass email and Web security platforms. Company Culture: BEW Global’s culture balances professionalism and comfort. No suits except when meeting with a client, so employees wear jeans, shorts and T-shirts and often have mountain bikes and skis ready to go, just in case. Blue Moon Works Inc. www.bluemoonworks.com Snapshot: Blue Moon Works is a digital marketing agency in Denver that helps clients sort through large amounts of data to improve performance. Leadership: Cynthia Brown founded the company in 2003 and serves as CEO. Revenues increased 39 percent in 2012 and are projected to increase 43 percent this year. Work Force: The company expects to have 42 full-time and two part-time employees this year. Big Break: Blue Moon Works started as an email marketing business. Early on a major business supply company asked Blue Moon Works to bid on providing pay-perclick (PPC) advertising and manage a $3 million ad budget. Today PPC advertising is the firm’s largest service. Tech Edge: The IT company filed a utility patent for Visual Intelligence Cubes. This technology enables quick assessment of up to eight different data sources and the identification of the true driver of traffic, revenue and conversion rates. Company Culture: The company focuses on six core values: Achievement, Growth, Innovation, Respect, Teamwork and Integrity. In weekly stand-up meetings, peers shout out recognition of teammates’ accomplishments, and quarterly teambuilding projects are based on each of the six core values. Botanical Interests Inc. www.botanicalinterests.com Snapshot: Botanical Interests manufactures and sells garden seed packets to independent retail garden centers and health-centric grocery stores nationwide. The company was founded in 1995 and is based in Broomfield. Revenue increased 10 percent in 2012 and is expected to get another 18 percent boost this year. Leadership: Curtis Jones and Judith Seaborn are co-presidents. Work Force: The company had 40 fulltime employees in 2012 and expects to grow by two more in 2013. Pivotal Moment: Consumers have become interested in growing their own food, and they are concerned about food safety and the presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Organic also became an important health trend, so about seven years ago Botanical Interests added a line of certified organic varieties. Company Culture: Every spring, the company takes orders from employees. For example, someone might want to grow Brandywine tomatoes, so Botanical Interests grows them for that staff member. This helps employees understand the company’s purpose and sometimes motivates non-gardeners to learn to enjoy gardening. Community Involvement: The company donates outdated but viable seeds to organizations that grow food for school and community gardens and food banks. Boulder Creek Builders www.livebouldercreek.com Snapshot: Boulder Creek Builders calls Louisville home and has built green homes since 2006. Leadership: David Sinkey is owner and president. Revenues increased 204 percent in 2012 and are projected to increase another 92 percent this year. Work Force: The company expects to nearly double its full-time employees in 2013, getting up to 45. Big Break: The economic downturn ultimately benefitted Boulder Creek Builders, as the company hired workers who were laid off by competitors, bought land below market value and boosted their marketing and advertising efforts. Tech Edge: The company implemented an enterprise management system that gives it access to real-time construction, buyer, cost, pricing and warranty data. This reporting power allows the company to detect trends and stay ahead of changes in the market. BCB homes are low maintenance designs that often appeal to empty nesters. Company Culture: Boulder Creek enjoys a small company feel in a small town. The company offers family outings to the ice rink across the street and hosts weekly barbecues during the Louisville Downtown Street Faire, on Friday evenings in the summer. AmCheck congratulates two clients for being 2012 COCTW Winners! AmCheck is a proud sponsor of Colorado Companies to Watch. Expertise Matters. 1573 Market Street, Denver, CO 80202 • 303-335-1401 Wealth & Investment Management | Trust & Estate Services Private Banking | Family Office Services northerntrust.com 4641Q30848_COBiz_4.75x2.25.indd 1 4/30/13 8:49 AM GHP Horwath, P.C. Member Crowe Horwath International is proud to be a 2013 sponsor of Colorado Companies to Watch Audit Tax Advisory Risk www.ghphorwath.com COBIZMAG.COM | COLORADOBIZ | JUNE 2013 [ 31] Boulder Electric Vehicle Inc. www.boulderev.com Snapshot: Boulder Electric Vehicle builds and sells 100 percent electric trucks. The company was founded in 2008 and is based in Lafayette. Leadership: Carter Brown is president and CEO. Work Force: The company had 26 fulltime employees in 2012 and expects to have 35 by this year’s end. Big Break: In a series of successes, the Colorado Energy Office provided the company with a $1.3 million loan, two major shipping/logistics companies ordered trucks from Boulder Electric Vehicle, and a corporate and fleet sales group partnered with BEV to sell trucks under a GSA Schedule Contract. Tech Edge: The company has two utility patents pending. One is for the battery management system, and the other for a special honeycomb design that increases the strength of the body platform while significantly lowering weight. Company Culture: The common thread between each of the BEV team members is their shared enthusiasm for electric vehicles. The car crew works in an integrated, collaborative fashion to build a community atmosphere, increase productivity and morale. BSC Signs www.bscsigns.com Snapshot: Since 1999 Broomfield-based BSC Signs has designed, manufactured, installed and serviced signs for commercial, corporate and government agencies. Leadership: John Dobie is owner, founder and president of the company originally known as Broomfield Sign Co. Revenues increased by 70 percent in 2012 and are [ 32] JUNE 2013 | COLORADOBIZ | COBIZMAG.COM projected to increase 28 percent this year. Work Force: BSC expects to have 26 fulltimers this year. Pivotal Moment: About three years ago Dobie hired a business coach who guided him to become a better leader and manager. The company started hiring new team members so Dobie could better delegate tasks, including the company’s first Certified Professional Salesperson. Tech Edge: The company has implemented some semi-automatic machinery and also hired people with industrial art degrees who know how to do 3-D presentations. That has helped BSC get attention from architects and real estate developers. The company also uses Cloud Sign Estimating Software to streamline business. Community Involvement: BSC Signs has donated signs and made financial pledges to local schools and sporting organizations and to Habitat for Humanity, Broomfield Community Foundation, Broomfield Fish and Higher Ground Youth Challenge. Chinook Medical Gear Inc. www.chinookmed.com Snapshot: Chinook provides medical containers, supplies, modules and kits for military, government, law enforcement and corporate clients. The company was founded in 1990 and is based in Durango. Revenues increased 21 percent in 2012 and are projected to increase 36 percent this year. Leadership: Carl Darnell has been president and CEO since 1992. Big Break: Before the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Chinook served adventure companies, travelers and travel clinics. After 9/11 a contact at an international medical clinic helped Chinook enter the private military contractor market. Tech Edge: Chinook introduced Medical Modules with vacuum sealed, single use, injury specific treatment packages that stand alone or can be added to complete a larger medical kit. The company specializes in manufacturing medical kits for use in the harshest environments and introduced seven new products over the last 18 months for its largest segment, the military. Community Involvement: Chinook supports organizations financially and with in-kind donations. The charities include military groups such as Blue Star Mothers of Durango, Navy Seal Foundation, as well as local groups such as Durango Nature Studies and Durango Food Bank. Circle Fresh Farms LLC www.circlefreshfarms.com Snapshot: Denver’s own Circle Fresh Farms is a marketing group that assists a network of local farms to distribute fresh organic produce across the Front Range. Leadership: Richard Naha is CEO. Revenues increased 194 percent in 2012 and are projected to increase 286 this year. Work Force: After its founding in 2011, the company had 16 full-time employees in 2012 and expects to have 20 this year. Pivotal Moment: Since the demand for organic produce is high, Circle Fresh opted to retrofit abandoned greenhouses instead of building new roofs, fixing up interiors and planting new seeds within two months. Tech Edge: The farms maintain proprietary growing methods and hydroponic technology that use less water than conventional agriculture. Circle Fresh developed a Track and Trace System that allows the retailer and the consumer to know where and when the food was harvested and where it traveled before reaching them. Community Involvement: The company has a farm called Growhaus, a nonprofit in the Elyria Swansea neighborhood, which sells lettuce. Citron WorkSpaces LLC www.citronworkspaces.com Snapshot: Louisville’s Citron Workspaces plans office interiors, sources and supplies new and used office furniture and helps liquidate excess furniture for commercial clients. Leadership: Kathey Pear founded Citron in 2004 and serves as president. Revenues increased 24 percent in 2012 and are projected to increase 9 percent this year. Work Force: The company expects to reach 20 full-time workers this year. Pivotal Moment: Citron recognized the need for a “blended furniture solutions” program that uses a combination of existing furniture, used furniture, and new furniture to provide options for environmental and budget-conscious clients. Community Involvement: Citron sponsors and attends events such as Taste of Louisville, Louisville Parade of Lights, Bonfils Blood Drive and Relay for Life East Boulder County. The company offers a Volunteer Time Off (VTO) program, which grants each employee two days off annually, in addition to their vacation time, to volunteer for a nonprofit of their choice. Company Culture: The company offers team building activities such as mountain ski weekends, happy hour get-togethers and pot-luck lunches. Other group activi- ties include wine/painting sessions and museum tours. Cycla LLC www.cyclallc.com Snapshot: Cycla is a family-run professional thrift recycling company servicing local and national thrift stores, commercial laundries and penitentiary textile recycling. The company was founded in 2007 and is based in Federal Heights. Leadership: Patricia McCully is company president. Pivotal Moment: Leadership recognized there was a large untapped volume of landfill 303.839.1300 Some things never change. Like our commitment to integrity, stability and our core beliefs. Doing what’s right, not what’s popular. Mariner Kemper, CEO, on the bank’s 100th anniversary That’s why we’re proud to sponsor COBiz Magazine’s Colorado Companies to Watch. In celebration of 100 years, we are proud to support organizations that are working to shape a better tomorrow. We made a promise 100 years ago to do what’s right for our customers. And that promise stands today. And it will for the next century. umb.com/100 [ 34] Member FDIC JUNE 2013 | COLORADOBIZ | COBIZMAG.COM More than a bank. More than a century. waste and associated disposal costs in the thrift store environment. Cycla expanded its recycling services beyond textiles, to books, plastics, metals and electronics. Tech Edge: Instead of offering single source recycling, Cycla made a decision to identify expert third party suppliers to offer a tool box of options to better manage multiple waste categories. Community Involvement: In 2011 Cycla provided the seed money to start a Colorado company, Recycle That LLC, to partner with nonprofits and help raise funds through textile recycling. Today Recycle That supports nonprofits including Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Hospice of Saint John and others. Combined efforts of both companies nationwide have diverted more than 230 million pounds of textile waste from landfills. Discovery Outsourcing LLC discoveryoutsourcing.com Snapshot: Since 2003 Discovery Outsourcing has offered small and midsized businesses a single-source for benefits, payroll, human resources and risk management. Revenues increased 17 percent in 2012 and are projected to grow 12 percent this year. Leadership: Todd Beutel has been CEO of the Greenwood Village-based business since 2009. Pivotal Moment: Leadership decided the company is not a product or sales provider but a service organization. Tech Edge: Discovery Outsourcing runs on ASP systems that are housed at data centers across the country and are fully SAS70 compliant. The company provides full Web-based solutions for clients, so they can hire new employees without wasting paper. Instead clients use a secure Web portal to access personal information including paystubs, W2 forms and benefit packages. Community Involvement: In 2012 Discovery launched its corporate volunteer program. The first event took place at Children’s Hospital Colorado, where Discovery employees participated in arts and crafts with patients and their families. The company also made a holiday gift donation to Children’s Hospital on behalf of clients. 300 ury. At Hein & Associates LLP, we believe success is the result of our people and clients sharing knowledge, working effectively in teams, and sustaining long-term relationships to achieve goals. For more information, visit www.heincpa.com or contact our Partner-in-Charge, Jim Brendel, at [email protected] or 303-298-9600. COBIZMAG.COM | COLORADOBIZ | JUNE 2013 [ 35] Doc Popcorn www.docpopcorn.com Snapshot: Doc Popcorn is a popcorn retailer out of Boulder with more than 80 franchised units in 25 states. Leadership: Husband and wife team Rob and Renée Israel cofounded the company in 2003. Rob is CEO or Big Pop and Renee is Mama Pop. Revenues increased 84 percent in 2012 and are projected to increase 46 percent this year. Work Force: The company expects to have 18 full-time workers in 2013. Big Break: Doc Popcorn needed a hightraffic venue to test the product in time for the 2003 winter holiday season. A property manager from Macerich offered a space for free that a cookie vendor had occupied at Flatiron Crossing. Community Involvement: Doc Popcorn launched the Popping for Pink program, raising more than $15,000 for the Foxy Lady Fund, which provides free breast cancer screenings through Boulder Community Hospital. Company Culture: A Pop-It-Forward program empowers employees to give a free bag of popcorn a week to someone in need as defined by the giver. The team can do impromptu activities such as closing down early to go to a Rockies game or go bowling. Easter-Owens www.easter-owens.com Snapshot: Easter-Owens is a custom metal fabrication shop providing design, manufacturing and custom product solutions for the oil and gas, solar and wind, defense contracting, correctional and mining industries. The company was founded in 1955 and is based in Arvada. Leadership: David Easter has been president and CEO since 1980. Revenues increased 82 percent in 2012 and are set to increase by another 25 percent this year. Work Force: The company expects to employ 98 full-timers this year. Pivotal Moment: When David Easter took leadership of his father’s company, >100 years of building relationships of trust Proudly Supporting Colorado Companies to Watch Risk Management Solutions > Construction & Surety > General Commercial > Professional Liability > Personal Insurance > Employee Benefits > Retirement Plans > 1515 Wynkoop Suite 200 Denver, CO 80202 www.vgic.com [ 36] JUNE 2013 | w w w.a-i-corp.co m 3 03.362.04 0 0 COLORADOBIZ | COBIZMAG.COM David decided the corrections market would be the path to the company’s prosperity. Later Easter-Owens ventured into the world of oil and gas. Tech Edge: Easter-Owens kept up with technological advances in manufacturing by purchasing state-of-the-art machinery such as high-powered lasers and superior material handling equipment. As such the operation went from simple, local fabrication to manufacturer of medium voltage buildings and programmable logic controller panels. Community Involvement: EasterOwens is a regular contributor and supporter of the Arvada Police Departments, fire stations, churches, high schools and the Arvada Food Bank. David Easter is an active member of the Jefferson County Economic Council, offering his assistance by providing leadership and direction to city decision makers. Ecosphere Environmental Services Inc. www.ecosphere-services.com Snapshot: Ecosphere Environmental Services is an environmental consulting firm that has specialized in environmental compliance and permitting, natural resources consulting, public outreach and participation and environmental planning and monitoring since 1982. Revenues increased 40 percent in 2012 and are projected to increase 16 percent this year. Leadership: Mike Fitzgerald has been president of the Durango-based business since 1997. Work Force: The company had 35 fulltime and four part-time employees in 2012. Pivotal Moment: Ecosphere recently hired a professional human resource and organizational management specialist, re-engineered the company’s computer network and adopting process and quality improvement applications. Tech Edge: This year Ecosphere developed a company-wide, all-inclusive training program for project and process management. The company leveraged technology such as SharePoint, which allows the team to effectively track the status of 350 projects annually. Community Involvement: In 2009 the Board of Directors voted to focus on giving to local nonprofit and community development organizations. Ecosphere provides ® Perkins Coie is proud to partner with Colorado Companies to Watch to support entrepreneurship in Colorado. Perkins Coie has been supporting innovative, high-growth companies for over 100 years. With more than 900 lawyers in 19 offices across the United States and Asia, Perkins Coie represents great companies across a wide range of industries and at varying stages of growth—from start-ups to FORTUNE 100 corporations. contact: Tim Fete, Senior Counsel phone: 303.291.2324 email: [email protected] 1900 Sixteenth Street, Suite 1400 Denver, CO 80202 Perkins Coie llp www.perkinscoie.com ATTORNEY ADVERTISING COBIZMAG.COM | COLORADOBIZ | JUNE 2013 [ 37] in-kind environmental services and financial support to the Durango Discovery Museum, public radio stations, La Plata County Economic Development Alliance (Enterprise Zone) and others. EnerHealth Botanicals www.enerfood.com Snapshot: EnerHealth Botanicals manufactures health products such as food, supplements and herbal medicine to help customers achieve optimal health. Leadership: Steve St. Clair and Darren Craddock founded the company in 2005. St. Clair is president and CEO and Proud Sponsor Congratulations to the 2013 Colorado Companies to Watch Building Materials and Services Healthcare Industrials Craddock is vice president of product development. Revenues increased 20 percent in 2012 and are projected to increase 100 percent this year. Work Force: The company had eight full-time equivalent employees in 2012 and expects to have 11 this year. Pivotal Moment: The company recently moved from Internet-based sales to stores, and signed a distribution agreement that will put the products on thousands of store shelves across the country. Community Involvement: EnerHealth supports Evergreen High School’s sporting and philanthropic activities. Also a friend of Sales Manager Ryan St. George climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for cerebral palsy research, and EnerHealth provided him with herbs, supplements and supplies to We applaud you. help him train and complete his climb. Company Culture: Staff members occasionally get together on the weekends and donate time to various projects from diabetes charity walks to planting gardens. Freenotes Harmony Park Inc. freenotesharmonypark.com Snapshot: Since 2010 Freenotes Harmony Park has manufactured durable outdoor musical instruments out of Durango that are permanently installed in the ground for parks, schools and playgrounds. Leadership: Owner Christy Cooke experienced a revenue increase of 36 percent in Customized IT solutions for greater profit and peace of mind. Network Design • Implementation • Support Congratulations to all the winning companies. Key Private Bank wishes you continued success! Congratulations to the For more information go to key.com/kpb or visit your local Key Private Bank office. 2013 Colorado Companies to Watch 1515 Wynkoop St., Ste. 800, Denver, CO 80202 Member FINRA JUNE 2013 gmbltd.com | COLORADOBIZ T O W s Technology [ 38] C | COBIZMAG.COM Key.com is a federally registered service mark of KeyCorp. ©2013 KeyCorp. KeyBank is Member FDIC. ADL2959 GoWest IT.com (303) 795-2200 L T C 2012 and Freenotes projected to increase 32 percent this year. Work Force: Freenotes expects to have nine full-time and five part-time employees this year. Pivotal Moment: The company switched from direct to wholesale sales through a national network of distributors, which helped it create a national brand for the products and a wider reach among industries in Europe, Canada, Australia, Chile, Israel and Singapore. Tech Edge: Richard Cooke, Christy Cooke’s husband and the company designer, created durable acoustical designs for outdoor environments. Freenotes instruments are tuned, wheelchair accessible and designed for any age, gender, ethnicity and physicality. For architects and site planners, the company’s website has state-of-the-art 3D CAD drawings available in nine formats to facilitate a drag and drop function. Community Involvement: Freenotes strives to be a green manufacture, so it looks for local suppliers first for all goods and services. Green Garage www.greengarage.com Snapshot: Green Garage is a vehicle repair and maintenance provider in Boulder that uses new technologies to save money, time and the planet. Leadership: In 2009 Ryan Ferrero founded Green Garage and has gone on as CEO and chief carhugger. Steve Kirchner is president. Work Force: The company had 25 fulltime and three part-time employees in 2012, and expects to have 75 full-time and three part-timers this year. Pivotal Moment: In 2011, after testing and measuring technological, operational and customer acquisition models, the company converted an existing garage to a Green Garage and customers responded positively. Last year the company built Green Garage V 2.0 with the help of advertising agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky and Oz Architecture. Community Involvement: Green Garage supports academia with internships primarily from the University of Colorado 2013 PLATINUM SPONSOR Congratulations to the 2013 Class of Colorado Companies to Watch TalenTrust is proud to support and celebrate Colorado’s high growth companies. Our mission and our passion are in our name: finding talent you can trust. We provide exceptional talent and solutions to our clients so they can achieve accelerated growth. Learn More: TalenTrust.com • 866.838.3334 [email protected] COBIZMAG.COM | COLORADOBIZ | JUNE 2013 [ 39] Boulder and from high schools as well. The company tries to teach students business strategy, work ethic and sustainability. Company Culture: Green Garage offers innovative employees empowerment, promotions from within and general respect. Rather than refer to a technician as a tech or mechanic, the company has carhuggers, and instead of a service adviser, the garage has greenskeepers. Icelantic Skis www.icelanticskis.com Snapshot: Icelantic Skis manufactures and sells Alpine skis and boots. The company was founded in 2005 and is Denverbased. Revenues increased 69 percent in 2012 and are projected to increase 61 percent this year. Leadership: Benjamin Anderson is CEO and co-founder with Annelise Loevlie, Travis Parr and Travis Cook. Work Force: The company expects to have 10 full-time and 14 part-time employees this year. Pivotal Moment: Icelantic Skis won the Best Brand New Hardgood of the year award in 2006 at ISPO, a sporting goods tradeshow in Munich, Germany. Also, the company partnered with the snowboard manufacturer Never Summer Industries to make Icelantic Skis in Denver. Community Involvement: Employees of Icelantic Skis volunteer with University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business, Rocky Mountain Micro Finance Institute, GALS (Girls Athletic Leadership School), Women’s Economic Leadership Forum, Something Independent, The Business of Fun and other local organizations. Company Culture: There are no set hours or vacation quotas. Some employees work 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and take government holidays; others travel the world and work remotely. The Icelantic crew takes one or two company retreats, a ski or surf trip, every year. This allows the team to connect out of the office and generate new ideas. COLORADO’S WORKFORCE SYSTEM Available at: WORKING FOR COLORADO We can help you meet your workforce needs. Training and Certification Employee Screening SOFT SKILLS THAT PRODUCE HARD SALES RESULTS. CREATE TRUST QUICKLY WITH PROSPECTS. GET MEETINGS WITH THE RIGH DECISION MAKERS. AND MUCH MORE! Hiring Events www.colorado.gov/cdle • [email protected] [ 40] JUNE 2013 | COLORADOBIZ | COBIZMAG.COM SalesLeadership, Inc., 303.708.1128 salesleadershipdevelopment.com Isonas Inc. www.isonas.com Snapshot: ISONAS offers physical access control with a pure Internet protocol (IP) solution that eliminates control panels and specialized wiring while allowing management of the system via a Web interface. The company was founded in 1999 and is based in Boulder. It experienced a 113 percent revenue increase in 2012. Leadership: Rob Mossman became CEO in 2012. Pivotal Moment: In 2004 the founders decided to approach a hardware-based access control market from a software per- spective. They were able to build a product that eliminated control panels and the need for external power, reducing installation time and cost. Patents were issued in August 2010, giving ISONAS broad protection to grow the business. Tech Edge: The patented product uses a pure IP solution that is control panel-free and powered over Ethernet cable, to bring flexibility and scalability up and cost down. The user has the ability to modify the access control system via a Web interface, which allows decentralization of permissions management. Company Culture: ISONAS has an espresso machine and free Italian coffee and beer ready and waiting in the refrigerator. Company culture descriptors are listed on a dry erase board in the office: Proud, Thrifty, Motivated, Energized, Urgency, OK to Make Mistakes, Creative, Innovative, Open Minded, Personally Responsible. Luna Gourmet Coffee and Tea Co. www.lunagourmet.com Coffee & Tea Company EST. 1996 Snapshot: Founded in 1996 and based in Denver, Luna Gourmet Coffee and Tea Co. is a coffee roasting and tea blending company that owns and manages three brands: BocaJava.com, Boulder Organic Coffee and 2013 Colorado Companies to Watch award winner Wetland Delineations Clean Water Act Permitting Flora and Fauna Investigations Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Environmental Assessments (NEPA) Compliance Stormwater Management and Reclamation Planning Private Land, Forest, and Natural Resources Planning Durango, CO: (970) 382-7256 • Farmington, NM: (505) 327-3088 • Cortez, CO: (970) 564-9100 • Pagosa Springs, CO: (970) 264-0309 Profess io n al env i ro n m ental solu tions. Ex per t regu lator y g uid a nce. www.ecosphere-services.com Luna Roasters Coffee & Tea. Leadership: Jason Barrow is president and co-owner. Revenues are expected to increase 117 percent this year. Big Break: In 2008 the company won its first multi-million dollar national account. The new business helped Luna attract new investor financing, which the company used to expand its facility by 15,000 square feet, add a second coffee roaster and install an automated packaging line. Community Involvement: Luna offers socially responsible, roast-to-order coffee to restaurants and online. The company donated 7.9 million cups of coffee to front line soldiers through its Troop Coffee program. Also the company provided a sizable cash donation to local nonprofit partners, through a give-back on every dollar spent with wholesale customers. Company Culture: The management philosophy is Happy Employees create Happy Customers, who in turn create Happy Shareholders. Every employee has several areas of responsibility, which drives accountability, quality and awareness of the processes upstream and downstream. Minute Key Inc. www.minutekey.com ® The premier business association in the Rocky Mountain region that offers access to expert people and essential resources that help drive middle-market growth. acg.org/denver The Daily eNewsletter for Business Decision Makers. Sign up today at cobizmag.com [ 42] JUNE 2013 | COLORADOBIZ | COBIZMAG.COM Snapshot: Founded in 2008, Boulderbased Minute Key Inc. devised the world’s first self-service, automated key-cutting machine. The kiosks can be found in major retailers, including Lowe’s, Walmart and The Home Depot. Revenues grew 681 percent last year and the company projects a 39 percent increase in 2013. Leadership: CEO Randall Fagundo assumed his role in 2010. Work force: As of 2012, Minute Key employs 31 full-time workers and 66 parttimers, experiencing a 68 percent employee growth rate in 2012. It expects to reach 40 full-time workers this year. Big Break: When Minute Key’s founders recognized how challenging key duplication was despite technological leaps and bounds in other industries, their curiosity was piqued. Consequently, they created a simplified and automated prototype from wood and metal in their garage, believing the result would be a win-win for customers and retailers. Tech Edge: With robotics, software engineering and a singular focus, the tedious task of copying keys has gone from inconvenient and labor-intensive to a three-step solution that produces 100 percent accurate keys in a minute or less. Company Culture: Fagundo’s respect for his staff builds an environment with high sociability and solidarity. With shared values, trust and rewards to incentivize hard work, the Minute Key atmosphere is open for creativity and teamwork. created a unique company holiday in March, MM Local Eating Day. Montanya Distillers LLC www.montanyarum.com MM Local www.mmlocalfoods.com Snapshot: MM Local partners with Colorado family farmers to preserve their organic, homegrown produce so hungry customers can chow down on nutrient-rich local food year-round. In 2012, MM Local experienced 73 percent revenue growth. Leadership: Owners Jim Mills and Ben Mustin co-founded the company in 2009. Work Force: The Denver-based business employed 19 full-time-equivalent workers in 2012 and expects to reach 22 this year. Pivotal Moment: Before Mills and Mustin dove into their production process, they jotted down MM Local’s brand beliefs. Three-andhalf years later, the values-driven team vision to craft an authentic, healthy and sustainable food system and inspire community connections has gone unchanged. Community Involvement: By buying produce exclusively from Colorado farmers, hiring Colorado workers and selling solely to Colorado consumers, MM Local has become a trailblazer in the state’s food community. Also, as a primary buyer of local produce from several agricultural partners, the farms are able to plant more acreage and confidently maintain a stable buyer, willing to adapt to ever-changing supplies. Company Culture: MM Local strives to invest in relationships internally and externally by embracing collaboration and manufacturing better food. To recognize employees’ hard work and the long hours required during harvest months, the MM Local crew observes holidays in the late winter-early spring and has Snapshot: From its beginning, Montanya made rum its focal point and the company has yet to falter from that focus. Montanya Distillers is a craft distiller of artisan rum, now distributed across the country and around the world. Its projected revenue growth is 21 percent for 2013. Leadership: Company President Karen Hoskin founded Montanya in 2008. Work Force: Montanya expects to expand its employee base by 5 percent this year. Big Break: In May 2011, Montanya made the move from Silverton to Crested Butte, solving the challenges of growth it had faced for several years. Montanya received “2013 Craft Distillery of the Year” from the American Distilling Institute and “2012 Business of the Year” from the Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce. Community Involvement: The artisanal rum producer lends its facilities cost-free for fundraising event space year-round, most recently hosting a Moulin Rouge Ball to benefit local land preservation organization High Country Citizens’ Alliance (HCCA) in Crested Butte. Company Culture: As self-proclaimed “classic bootstrappers,” and “eternal optimists,” the distillery aims to enhance the lives of its staff. As such, Montanya instigates group activities such as staff retreats at the Chipeta Sun Lodge in Ridgeway or company celebrations with pirate-themed parties and aerial dancers. Mountain Racing Products www.mountainracingproducts.com Snapshot: Mesa County’s Mountain Racing Products manufactures high-end bicycle components and is a global leader in the niche chain guide and guard market. MRP’s brand was the original chain guide in the bicycle market. Leadership: Tim Fry, Mountain Racing’s president, founded the company in February 2000. Work Force: In 2012, MRP had nearly 19 full-time equivalent employees, expecting to ramp up by a couple more this year. Big Break: The expansion of MRP’s bicycle chain guide and guard technology from the downhill market to the broader mountain bike space changed the business dramatically. This year MRP expects a 400 percent increase in revenue due to the addition of this product line. Community Involvement: Not surprisingly, the bike-component makers tend to concentrate community service efforts on projects to support the advancement of outdoor activities, such as the 130-acre acquisition of the Three Sisters property to be developed for recreation and educational purposes. Tech Edge: The company makes and supplies parts that keep chains on mountain bikes in tricky terrain, protecting the bikes from damage. MRP has two main patented areas in its suspension products: a unique patented valve system that employs magnetism to control suspension and an axle resulting in an easy-to-use and substantially stiffer suspension fork than competitors’ offerings. Oliver Manufacturing Co. Inc. www.olivermanufacturing.com Snapshot: For over 80 years, Oliver has broken ground as a leading provider of durable, effective and reliable equipment for separating dry materials by weight. The Otero-based company has served global seed, nut, coffee, recycling, lumber and mining industries since 1930 with its line of COBIZMAG.COM | COLORADOBIZ | JUNE 2013 [ 43] refined gravity separators, de-stoners, precision sizers and bed dryers. Its projected revenue growth for 2013 is set at 31 percent. Leadership: Brian Burney – president, CEO and great grandson of founder Oliver Steele – joined the company in 2004. Work Force: The manufacturing business is set to hit 75 full-time employees in 2013. Pivotal Moment: In Oliver’s first generation, the founder developed equipment, revolutionizing seed and grain processing. With each transition from generation to generation there have been further improvements. Tech Edge: Today’s Voyager and MaxiCap Platinum products are the first fully automated, fully integrated gravity separators on the market. Company Culture: Oliver has been a family business since its establishment. Across three generations, a collaborative team-oriented approach has helped get things done quickly in an ever-changing, globally competitive market. One World Labs LLC Snapshot: One World Labs (OWL) abides by a “safety first” style, specializing in cyber security testing, risk assessment and remediation of physical and digital security for corporations and government agencies. In the growing digital area, the company is forecast to experience 153 percent revenue growth in 2013. Leadership: Jay Weber took over as CEO of OWL in 2011. Work Force: The Denver-based IT experts are projected to experience an 82 percent employee spike, from 11 full time workers to 20 by year’s end. Big Break: Chris Roberts is a world-class security specialist with striking technical skills. However, he was unconvinced that his tech savvy would translate into building a thriving business. Luckily, he had the foresight to call upon Weber’s entrepreneurial [ 44] JUNE 2013 | COLORADOBIZ | COBIZMAG.COM know-how. The two raised the necessary funds to jumpstart OWL and have since doubled their revenue annually. Community Involvement: OWL is a member of Hackers for Charity, a nonprofit that leverages the skills of tech pros to solve challenges nonprofits face. Tech Edge: OWL has developed counterintelligence software, which proactively monitors the Web and other potentially malicious channels to identify and mitigate threats to companies before damage is done. Oogavé www.oogave.com Snapshot: The brainchild of Stephen “Esteban” Anson has evolved into an allnatural, organic soda, sweetened purely with agave nectar. Flavors include mandarin key lime, watermelon cream, strawberry rhubarb and more. The company experienced 28 percent revenue growth in 2012 and is slated to nearly triple that in 2013. Leadership: Gannon Merrell, president and CFO, founded Oogavé in 2009. Pivotal Moment: The idea for Oogavé first came to Anson while overseeing his small, natural foods restaurant, Wholly Tomato in downtown Denver. From his fresh baked breads to his handcrafted dressings, nothing artificial or commercial made it past the culinary wiz. Bothered by the lack of choice and quality in soft drink selections, he turned to agave nectar. After months of mixology and countless taste-tests, Anson began serving Oogavé fizzy drinks in his restaurant on April 13, 2005. Tech Edge: Oogavé bottles its beverages in-house, allowing for more control of the manufacturing process from start to finish. Additionally, beginning in April, Oogavé began distributing LOCA, a full-flavor, low-calorie variety made with all-natural ingredients. Company Culture: With a shorts and T-shirt style and pets with an open RSVP policy around the office, the scene is set for a calm, cool, collected company environment. Oogavé’s laid-back philosophy embraces the individuality, creativity and stress-free lifestyle its employees seek. PEAK Resources Inc. www.peakresources.com Snapshot: By tailoring technology to its end users’ needs, PEAK Resources is able to blend virtualization, server and storage consolidation, business resiliency, cloud and IT optimization for small startups to Fortune 100 clients. The company’s revenue was up by 17 percent in 2012. Leadership: Since 1991, founder Vince DeRose has served as company president. Pivotal Moment: The most recent economic downturn put an undeniable strain on PEAK’s business and coverage models. As a result, the company developed tighter management to maintain profitability. Since recovering, the company has become more flexible, prepared to take on the cloud-computing era. Community Involvement: In an effort to support the educational needs of the Denver community, PEAK is currently in its third year of its Resources Scholarship for Technology with KIPP Colorado program, awarding up to $6,000 for graduating seniors who intend to pursue technologybased degrees. Tech Edge: PEAK’s Technology Center serves as a showcase, housing the latest technology for clients to check out. Populus LLC www.populusllc.com Snapshot: Founded in 2007, the Boulderbased utility company provides energy efficiency implementation for utilities and governments. Noteworthy clients include Xcel Energy, the City and County of Denver, Boudler and Longmont. Populus has achieved more than 3,000 percent revenue growth since 2009. Leadership: Laura Hutchings joined Populus as its CEO in May 2009. Work Force: Populus anticipates 35 fulltime employees to make up its team by the end of 2013. Big Break: After laying the groundwork with a few, small government contracts, Populus was awarded a $3.8 million multi-year contract to administer a community-scale residential energy efficiency program throughout Boulder County in 2009. The contract afforded Populus the opportunity for rapid growth and validated its scalable delivery model. Community Involvement: In 2012, team members jumped on the “Movember” bandwagon, competing to grow the most impressive facial hair. Populus supported the employee-led initiative by matching the fundraising efforts to aid prostate cancer research. Company Culture: Populus has pioneered a new implementation model for residential energy efficiency that puts “People First, Buildings Second.” By taking the role of “Energy Advisor,” Populus endeavors to establish relationships of trust with home owners. Peterson and Craig Reeves, took a leap of faith and mortgaged their homes and assets to form a company in 2004, PreciseCast became more than just talk. Two years thereafter, they realized only a small portion of their customers drove the vast majority of profit. As a result they opted to diversify their audience, capitalizing on the niche prototype development market. Tech Edge: Translating customer designs into manufacturable products requires the expertise of PCPE’s team of full-time electrical and mechanical engineers. These team members develop and implement processes from initial concept to the manufacturing phase. Company Culture: PCPE employees take pride and ownership of each project they complete. Due to a swiftly flowing stream of challenges and commitments, pride, loyalty and camaraderie are natural by-products that define the PreciseCast dynamic. Precision Media Solutions LLC www.precisionav.net Precise Cast Prototypes & Engineering www.precisecast.com Snapshot: PreciseCast is a manufacturing and engineering company out of Adams County that provides prototype and lowvolume castings and machined parts to companies including John Deere, LockheedMartin, Bose and L3 Communication. Revenues for the 9-year-old company are projected to increase by 28 percent in 2013. Leadership: Brett Peak, the president of PreciseCast, assumed the position in 2011. Big Break: When three guys, Peak, Patrick [ 46] JUNE 2013 | COLORADOBIZ | COBIZMAG.COM Snapshot: By combining innovative technology and creative design, Precision Media – founded in 2004 – provides safety, comfort, convenience and entertainment in homes and offices with electronic system solutions. Leadership: Brian Richards has been President and CEO since 2004, when the Jefferson County company was founded. Work force: Employee growth for 2012 reached 29 percent and is set to increase by an additional 22 percent in 2013. Pivotal Moment: The IT business largely relies on client recommendations to pursue new business. For instance, shortly after completing a large-scale residential lighting project, the structure Precision had constructed failed in one of the neighborhood homes, leaving the home owner unable to turn off any lights. In fulfilling its duties, the Precision team fixed the inoperative system at 2 a.m. that very night. Three months following the incident, the client referred Precision for a $300,000 project after telling a friend the story. Community Involvement: By creating easy-to-use electronic environments for schools, city governments, nonprofits and training centers, Precision contributes to learning experiences and information sharing. Company Culture: Many Precision employees have shared their hope to keep their career at the IT company in its entirety. ProLink Solutions www.prolinksolutions.com TM SOLUTIONS Snapshot: A decade ago, the financial services field experienced frequent disconnections, dead-ends and barriers. With the development of the ProLink framework, the Denver-based company has successfully implemented software solutions, serving a variety of enterprise-level companies across the globe, currently processing 25 percent of all U.S. commercial mortgage transactions. Leadership: In 2000, Shawn McKenna founded ProLink and has served as CEO since. Work force: With a substantial spike in employee growth projected for 2013, ProLink anticipates jumping from 30 to 50 employees. Pivotal Moment: After perfecting its platform, in 2007 ProLink refocused on the lowincome housing market, a segment in need of transparency and compliance. With their enterprise-level applications, the computer pros were able to establish themselves in the industry as regulations and reporting was completed with unwavering guidelines. Tech Edge: With the creation of SmartDox, data from Microsoft Word and Excel can be exported into and out of the application, saving customers hours of wasted effort and eliminating redundancies. Company Culture: Boasting a work-hard, play-hard, family-first environment proves that ProLink values its employees, resulting in a less than 2 percent turnover rate. Quick Left Inc. www.quickleft.com Snapshot: Quick Left develops custom Web and mobile applications out of Boulder County for startups and established businesses alike. The company largely attributes growth in the past three years to being one of the only software shops of its kind with engineers skilled in advanced languages. This year Quick Left is projected to increase its revenue by 79 percent. Leadership: CEO Ingrid Alongi co-founded the Web engineering company in 2009. Work Force: Between this and last year, Quick Left is set to grow its work force by 40 percent. Pivotal Moment: Though the decision to move the company to its current Pearl Street location cost a pretty penny, the relocation allowed Quick Left to dramatically boost its employees and put the headquarters on the map as one of the most frequented business sites in the industry. Community Involvement: In addition to sponsoring various education efforts, Quick Left supports the Boulder Nordic Junior Race Team and Colorado’s Women’s Cycling Project. Company Culture: Quick Left – a WorldBlue certified business, reserved for 50 companies worldwide for promoting democracy in the workplace – empowers its employees to be groundbreakers within the organization by offering monthly leadership training from improv classes to hiring consultants. RavenBrick LLC www.ravenbrick.com Snapshot: RavenBrick is a clean technology company out of Denver that manufactures patented window filters, which change tints with temperature, saving up to 30 percent more energy than competitors’ varieties. Revenue growth for 2013 is projected at 129 percent. Leadership: CEO Alex Burney and CTO Wil McCarthy co-founded the company in 2006. Work Force: This year, the manufacturing business is set to experience a 157 percent increase in full-time employees. Big Break: In mid-2007, McCarthy dismantled a standard calculator and put the display in an old coffee cup with boiling water. The display changed color and the company’s patented smart window technology was born. Tech Edge: The “secret sauce” around RavenBrick is McCarthy’s experience as an aerospace engineer. He expects his applications to be faster, smaller, smarter and more efficient. With optimism and know-how, RavenBrick believes it has a winning recipe. Company Culture: Self-described as “Animal House meets Weird Science,” all but three of the high-spirited, confident staff members are engineers, primarily under 30 years old. Rocky Mountain Reagents Inc. www.rmreagents.com Snapshot: Started in 1951 with a simple strategy focused on superior service, Rocky Mountain Reagents (RMR) operates as a manufacturer of laboratory test solutions for industries including food, wastewater treatment, education and aerospace. In 2012, the company experienced 12 percent revenue growth, with additional 16 percent projected for this year. Leadership: President and owner Phyllis Sordelet started with the company in 1988. Work Force: Upon last year’s end, RMR was up 10 full-time and 12 part-time employees, equating to 16 FTE workers on the team. This year that number is set to increase by 28 percent. Pivotal Moment: In 2001, RMR acquired First Service Supply, doubling its sales and opening new project lines, break- ing down industry barriers. Tech Edge: RMR has redesigned lab products and packaging to be user-friendly for fieldwork. The Jefferson County based company has also helped develop experiments that enable college students to perform science labs at home. Company Culture: When on the hunt for new talent, the RMR team seeks likeminded people who appreciate the Colorado lifestyle. SAFEbuilt www.safebuilt.com Snapshot: From the Northern Front Range, SAFEbuilt provides contract building department services such as inspections, plan reviews, code enforcement and administration to local governments nationwide. The company has experienced 36 percent growth in the last year and is slated for an additional 13 percent revenue increase in 2013. Leadership: President and CEO Mike McCurdie got on board at SAFEbuilt in 1999, just seven years after the company was started. Work Force: Last year, the construction business grew its employee base by more than 50 percent, while this year, an additional 26 FTE employees are expected to join the team. Pivotal Moment: In an attempt to appeal to client requests and shifts in the market, SAFEbuilt began providing services outside its original core business, smaller towns and cities. In a substantial departure from the company’s historic focus on single service, projects such as work for the City of Centennial required that SAFEbuilt scale its service model to fit larger communities, allowing the business to remain relevant. Community Involvement: In May 2008, a mile-wide tornado tore through the Town of Windsor, one of SAFEbuilt’s clients. Due to pre-existing professional relationships, the team was able to draw inspectors statewide to perform assessments on the 850 damaged houses and waived $130,000 in permit fees to get residents back in the comfort of COBIZMAG.COM | COLORADOBIZ | JUNE 2013 [ 47] homes expediently. Tech Edge: As mobile technology has become increasingly ubiquitous, SAFEbuilt has pushed devices into the field. Inspectors are provided smartphones and iPads that allow them to stay connected, entering data in real-time from the field, rather than delayed information submission and sharing with contractors. Sky Blue Builders LLC www.skybluebuilders.com Snapshot: The Denver-based general contracting and construction management firm concentrates on commercial tenant finish and infrastructure. Last year, the company increased revenues by 275 percent. Leadership: Mowa Haile, CEO and president, founded the company in 2007. Work Force: After a 300 percent increase in employees last year, Sky Blue is projected to add another nine FTE workers in 2013. Pivotal Moment: Sky Blue Builders (SBB) was originally a general contracting firm specializing in high-end custom home renovations. In 2008, the company transitioned to the public sector, seeing a decline in the private market. The federal market now makes up nearly 50 percent of the company’s revenues. Community Involvement: The SBB team has employed high school and college students from Goodwill and the Bridge Project to teach business etiquette for future job preparation. Company Culture: With a “beyond benefits” attitude, SBB encourages performance-based incentives, continued education, mentoring and creative programs to foster accountability. SpireMedia www.spiremedia.com [ 48] JUNE 2013 | COLORADOBIZ | COBIZMAG.COM Snapshot: Stationed in Denver, SpireMedia develops Web and mobile applications for clients including, Dell, Rent-ACenter, Toys ‘R’ Us and evening talk show host David Letterman. In 2013, Spire is set to experience 25 percent revenue growth. Leadership: CEO and Founder Michael Gellman started the company in 1998. Work Force: Last year, Spire hired roughly 10 new FTE employees. This year the staff is expected to increase by another 35 percent. Big Break: Before the iPhone and Android were universal, Spire predicted mobile apps would blossom in a big way. Thus, the research and development department investigated the potential of the technology, and by the time the public’s collective hand was glued to its smartphone, the information technology organization was ready to jump into the action, leading to lucrative partnerships with AT&T and others. Community Involvement: Spire is a major supporter of the Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute, a nonprofit that provides learning, lending and coaching opportunities to low-income entrepreneurs. Company Culture: Because the media group considers its people the No. 1 asset and operating with a system of checks and balances, Google-esque perks such as nap rooms, dog friendly office space, food, beer and flex time have become the rule, rather than the exception. employees by 35 percent this year, equating to 111 full-time employees. Big Break: Shehan and Swoboda demonstrated their agility, adapting ahead of the curve with SpotXchange and a willingness to take risks to create a real-time online video advertising marketplace. With the launch of SkipIt – a service that allows consumers to control the Web video ad experience with the opportunity to avoid video ads – SpotXchange addressed the issue of high abandonment rates online and made it fair for publishers, consumers and advertisers. Community Involvement: SpotXchange hosts several events annually to promote women in technology. As a founding member of the NCWIT Entreprenerial Alliance, the team works to recruit and retain more women in tech-related industries. Tech Edge: Each year since its onset, SpotXchange has launched industry-first innovations, like real-time bidding for video advertising and ad skipping technology. Most recently, the company made it possible for clients to automatically bid on ad impressions in real-time and drive efficiencies, thereby reeling in the full revenue potential of a video. SpotXchange Snapshot: Denver-based TaxOps drives value through custom tax solutions, fixed-fee pricing and year-round delivery. TaxOps primarily works with software, technology, oil and gas, manufacturing and service industries. Leadership: Founder and CEO Brian Amann began TaxOps in 2003. Work Force: Increasing its work force by 43 percent, the accounting firm plans to grow its employee base by another 25 percent this year. Pivotal Moment: In its beginning, the opportunity to put theory into practice came when a major client demanded an uncommon fixed-fee structure that required a specific scope, efficient engagement and tech www.spotxchange.com Snapshot: SpotXchange connects premium publishers with countless advertisers, agencies, trading desks and ad networks, reaching 110 million unique visitors monthly in more than 40 countries. Leadership: Michael Shehan, president and CEO, along with COO and CFO Steve Swoboda, co-founded the company and assumed their roles in 2007. Work Force: The advertising and public relations company estimates increasing its TaxOps www.taxops.com savvy. Yet, the overwhelming success of the deal led to the value-based philosophy the firm maintains today. Community Involvement: The firm recently launched TaxOps Foundation, focusing on funding soft skill education and development for accounting and tax students to work on their communication, project management, technology and problemsolving skills. Company Culture: TaxOps boasts a casual work environment, retaining the benefits of a big firm, but eliminating the stuffiness that fails to add real value. Without time sheets, office hours or an official dress code, the paperless environment is flexible all the way around. The Fort Collins Brewery www.fortcollinsbrewery.com Snapshot: Riding the wave of statewide success in the brewery business, the Larimer County Fort Collins Brewery creates and sells its wide variety of ales and lagers while operating Gravity 1020 Modern Tavern, a full-service restaurant that combines the art of beer and food. Leadership: The husband-wife and president-VP team of Tom and Jan Peters bought the brew business in 2004. Work Force: With 42 FTE employees at year’s end in 2012, Fort Collins Brewery is projected to increase its staff by 5 percent in 2013. Pivotal Moment: The initial design of the restaurant would have left it to be operated by an outside management group, rather than the brew team itself. But unable to lease the space with doubt surrounding the untested concept of a restaurant within a full-production brewery, Gravity 1020 was ambitiously opened to rave reviews in the spring of 2010. Tech Edge: From the automated brew house and packaging line to the introduction of software created just for the production of craft beer, Fort Collins Brewery has attempted to remain at least one step ahead of the game. Company Culture: The family-owned and operated brewery and restaurant has led to the foundation of a brew team, rather than merely a brew master, to maximize production and engage each individual. Additionally, by hosting the communitysupported agriculture program (CSA) the brewery supports local jobs, healthy eating and an integrated appreciation of community and pride among co-workers. TrackVia www.trackvia.com Snapshot: Founded in 2006, TrackVia provides a fast and simple way for business people lacking tech-savvy to design and build custom applications to track and streamline their work. Leadership: CEO Pete Khanna joined TrackVia in 2011. Work Force: Last year, the IT company jumped from 10 to 32 full-time employees. This year, the hope is to reach roughly 54. Big Break: Before TrackVia was officially established, co-founder Matt McAdams worked as an independent consultant and was tasked by Denver’s RTD to develop a system to manage various lightrail construction projects. After successful completion, he realized that other organizations may need similar tech products to manage complex designs and large amounts of data, and opted to kickstart TrackVia. Tech Edge: TrackVia’s big idea is “the consumerization of IT,” to help ordinary professionals build their businesses without necessarily becoming experts in technical codes and software. With a flexible back-end database and simple front-end user experiences delivered to customers, individuals are able to build robust applications in roughly a week and for 20 percent of the sticker price. Company Culture: Despite humble beginnings, TrackVia provides each employee an annual $500 “passion scholarship,” to pursue a personal hobby, organizational donation, or other interest. Many employees use the financial backing to aid local or national charities at their discretion. Tradavo Inc. www.tradavo.com Snapshot: By redesigning retail stores and programs, Tradavo optimizes the shopping experience. In 2012 the company improved its revenue by 24 percent and is set to increase by an additional 16 percent this year. Leadership: Bobby Martyna is Tradavo’s president and CEO. Work Force: Tradavo ramped up its work force to 17 FTE employees in 2012 and is set to surpass 20 this year. Big Break: During initial conversations with prospective retailers, it became apparent that there was a need in the market for suppliers to service buyers’ purchasing levels. While most were, at the time, using local wholesale clubs, Tradavo developed the first version of its online ordering platform in six weeks. Community Involvement: Because the Tradavo team receives samples of food products, sundries and convenience items from distributors, the surplus of items is paid forward and donated to local food banks and churches. Tech Edge: With sound, highly flexible technology, Tradavo’s “endless warehouse” of unlimited items can be distributed from hundreds of locations, and delivered within days to customers’ product requests. Trueffect www.trueffect.com Snapshot: Since 2002, Broomfield-based TruEffect has provided online advertisers with its patented technology intended to improve the performance of their display ads across the web and various devices. In 2012, the advertisers experienced 122 percent revenue growth and are projecting another 116 percent increase this year. Leadership: Last year Finn Faldi took his role as CEO. Work Force: TruEffect intends to get up COBIZMAG.COM | COLORADOBIZ | JUNE 2013 [ 49] to roughly 86 full-time employees by this year’s end. Pivotal Moment: When TruEffect lost its only customer in 2005, the company took a new direction, developing its First-Party ad technology that has become its main differentiator. Community Involvement: The team participates in Bike to Work Day and was awarded for its involvement the last two years. Company Culture: Boasting a unique international culture, technological expertise is recruited from foreign countries and from coast to coast at TruEffect. Zen Planner www.zenplanner.com [ 50] JUNE 2013 | COLORADOBIZ | COBIZMAG.COM Snapshot: Based out of Douglas County, Zen Planner provides member management software to fitness-based businesses, with end-to-end solutions including: prospect management, website integration, schedule and membership management, billing and reporting. Last year the computer systems design business reported 178 percent revenue growth. Leadership: CEO Jeffrey Gardner joined the company in 2011 after teaming up with founder Ben Pate. Work Force: After a spike of 220 percent full-time employee growth last year, Zen Planner is poised to increase by 81 percent in 2013. Pivotal Moment: Headquarters were officially moved to Colorado in August 2011. Since raising the necessary capital, Zen Planner has grown by 400 percent, revenue per customer has increased by 25 percent, and the number of industries served has more than doubled. Community Involvement: With a philanthropic initiative to promote healthy lifestyles, particularly in children, Zen Planner foregoes profit to provide services cost-free to organizations whose mission is to empower youth with values of hard work, dedication and responsibility through athletic training and fitness education. Tech Edge: By combining financial software, workout tracking tools, belt ranking software, mobile apps, lead management tools and email automation programs, Zen Planner has become a one-stop, customer-centric shop for its fitness business clients. COBIZMAG.COM | COLORADOBIZ | JUNE 2013 [ 51] COLORADO COMPANIES TO WATCH • 2013 FINALISTS It is the innovation and growth of second stage companies that Fuel the Economic Fire for Colorado. In addition to the 50 Winners, we Congratulate these 2013 Finalists! FINALIST CITY AdamWorks Advertising Production Resources Asteris Inc. Atlas Advertising Axion Health Bethel Party Rentals Bison Innovative Products booj Bradsby Group Campus Publishers Cheribundi Cloud Elements Colorado WaterJet Company Commerce Kitchen Continental Sausage Craters & Freighters Franchise Company DBAK dcb Construction Company Inc. Gallagher Transport International Inc. GBprotect Inc. Henry & Mike LLC HomeSphere Homewatch CareGivers International Hope Hummus Hustle Paintball Inc. Ingather Research & Sensory Innovations Integrity Electrical Solutions jumpnrope Just Associates Inc. Metro State Fire Inc. MobileDay Mountain Media New West Technologies LLC Parascript LLC PayReel Inc. PCS Mobile Peach Street Distillers Pie Consulting & Engineering Plink Prescient Redland Rocky Mountain Mechanical Systems Inc. RPC Manufacturing Solutions LLC Safe Systems Inc. Sedulous Foods seOverflow Serpentix Conveyor Corporation Silver Bullet Water Treatment LLC SkyWerx Industries LLC SmarterChaos.com Sounds True SSB Consulting Group LLC Surefire Medical Inc. Sweet Action Ice Cream Swiftpage TapInfluence UrgentRx Volume 9 Inc. Western Aero Services Inc. CentennialArapahoe DenverDenver Monument El Paso DenverDenver DenverDenver Glenwood Springs Garfield DenverDenver LakewoodJefferson DenverDenver BoulderBoulder BoulderBoulder CentennialArapahoe BerthoudWeld DenverDenver DenverAdams GoldenJefferson EnglewoodArapahoe DenverAdams DenverDenver EnglewoodArapahoe Glenwood Springs Garfield LakewoodJefferson Greenwood Village Arapahoe BoulderBoulder BroomfieldBroomfield LakewoodJefferson EnglewoodArapahoe LouisvilleBoulder CentennialArapahoe SheridanJefferson BoulderBoulder BoulderBoulder Englewood Arapahoe LongmontBoulder GoldenJefferson DenverDenver PalisadeMesa ArvadaJefferson DenverDenver DenverDenver LittletonArapahoe DenverDenver DenverAdams LouisvilleBoulder CentennialArapahoe DenverDenver WestminsterJefferson DenverDenver Pagosa Springs Archuleta Castle Rock Douglas LouisvilleBoulder Greenwood Village Arapahoe WestminsterAdams DenverDenver EnglewoodArapahoe BoulderBoulder DenverDenver DenverDenver DenverAdams [ 52] JUNE 2013 | COLORADOBIZ | COBIZMAG.COM COUNTY
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