Sittercity Ranks No. 287 on the 2008 Inc. 500
Inc. Magazine Reveals 27th Annual List of America’s 500 Fastest-Growing Private Companies
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Chicago, Ill.) - Inc. Magazine today ranked Sittercity.com 287 on its 27th annual Inc. 500 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S with a three-year sales growth of 961.9 percent. The list is the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy – America’s independent-minded entrepreneurs.
Sittercity.com invented an entirely new industry in 2001 when it created the world of online caregiving, and established itself as America’s largest and most trusted online source for child care, pet care, senior care, housekeeping, housesitting and tutoring. As a network of hundreds of thousands of caregivers nationwide, Sittercity helps families and individuals find the perfect in-home care provider quickly, easily and safely by offering comprehensive sitter profiles and a four-step screening process that includes checking references, reading caregiver reviews, conducting interviews and utilizing free access to background checks.
“If you want to find out which companies are going to change the world, look at the Inc. 500,” said Inc. Editor Jane Berentson. “These are the most innovative, dynamic, fast-growing companies in the nation – the ones coming up with solutions to some of our knottiest problems, creating systems that let us conduct business faster and easier, and manufacturing products we soon discover we can’t live without. The Inc. 500 list is Inc. magazine’s tribute to American business ingenuity and ambition.”
Sittercity was also ranked 13th out of the top 100 companies in its region and was ranked 15th out of the top 100 in its category of Consumer Products Companies.
“Being recognized on the Inc. 500 is the largest and most exciting honor we’ve received,” said Genevieve Thiers, founder and CEO of Sittercity. “To be in the company of such dynamic, well-known companies is also very humbling. When starting Sittercity seven years ago, I didn't expect to see such dramatic growth in less than a decade, but it's a true testament to our innovative strategies, commitment to our customers and the dedication of our team. We're extremely honored.”
The 2008 Inc. 500, as revealed in the September issue of Inc. magazine (on newsstands August 26 - September 30), reported aggregate revenue of $13.7 billion and median three-year growth of 1,046%. Total sales for Inc. 500 companies were 14 percent below last year’s combined revenue of $16 billion; still, it was a stellar year for many companies. Not only did sales for this year’s top 50 growers outstrip those of last year’s top 50 by $541 million, but this year’s fastest 50 also boasted a staggering 47 percent jump in average three-year growth from last year’s top of the class. Additionally, the 2008 Inc. 500 companies were engines of job growth, having created more than 51,414 jobs since those companies were founded.
Complete information on this year’s Inc. 500, including company profiles and a list of the fastest-growing companies that can be sorted by industry and region can be found at www.inc5000.com.
The 2008 Inc. 500/5000 list measures revenue growth from 2004 through 2007. To qualify, companies must be U.S.-based and privately held, independent – not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies – as of December 31, 2007, and have had at least $200,000 in revenue in 2004, and $2 million in 2007.
About Inc. Magazine
Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, LLC., Inc. magazine (www.inc.com) is the only major business magazine dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies that delivers real solutions for today’s innovative company builders. With a total paid circulation of 724,110, Inc. provides hands-on tools and market-tested strategies for managing people, finances, sales, marketing, and technology.
