Every year, entrepreneurs take their best shot at creating a brand that will break into the tight-knit corporate market and this year is no different, with several emerging start-ups that could turn into the fastest growing businesses in 2015. While the target client base is vast and diverse in today’s business world, many of the most promising companies today stand out by pinpointing a niche group or problem, and delivering high-quality products and services for it.
In a previous article, we established the 7 most profitable businesses you could start, and some of the fastest growing companies in 2015 are in those fields. From tech start-ups and mobile apps to consulting services and food chains, this year’s newest CEO’s have shown some serious creativity and entrepreneurial skill.
Now, the market is always difficult to predict and with easily fluctuating consumer behaviour, some companies may rise and fall in the blink of an eye. However, these companies gained a solid customer base as well as investors’ trust throughout the year, thereby establishing their position as the fastest growing businesses in 2015. So, let’s see what we’ll be raving about in the forthcoming year.
10. Collective Bias
This firm made a name for itself by coordinating and hiring freelance bloggers to publish content for marketing campaigns. With the help of angel investors and Updata Partner’s funding, Collective Bias was able to raise $10.5 million to further build out its network. Clients include Starbucks, Sears, Walgreens, and Nestlé.
Nine more companies poised for a major breakout can be found on the next pages as our list of the fastest growing businesses in 2015 continues.
9. Thrillist
In a time where classic media consumption is declining, this digital media enterprise has managed to grow exponentially. After a decade of searching for investors, the firm now holds capital of $15 million and a fan base of over 1.2 million followers. The main attraction is the company’s city guides, as well as restaurant, event, and product recommendations, which are sent via free emails.
8. iSend
Founded in 2007 by QuickPay’s CEO, Steven LaBella, this business offers a money transaction service across international borders targeting immigrants and expats alike. The possible money transfers range from mortgage payments to cellphone bills, and although iSend has only 15 employees it still managed to raise $5 million in venture capital.
7. HireVue
Created by CEO Mark Newman while an undergraduate at Westminster College, this now 30-year-old’s vision hit the jackpot over time. The online platform screens, recruits, and interviews potential job candidates for market giants like Nike and JPMorgan. Last year, Sequoia Capital was so impressed with the firm’s service that it invested $25 million, which should help take HireVue to the next level in 2015.
6. Work Market
When the workforce started migrating towards the internet for job opportunities, several firms appeared on the market hoping to grasp a spot as coordinators. Work Market is one of the latest rising stars in this firmament. The company connects freelancers with the appropriate contractors, facilitating the hiring process for corporations. Clients include Walmart, Microsoft, and FedEx.
5. Smashburger
When McDonald’s ex-chief marketing officer, Tom Ryan, left the fast food giant to create his own burger-flipping company, he probably didn’t expect to grow so quickly. But with 250 restaurants spread across the world, Smashburger is one of the firms that will soon take over the fast-casual dining world. Its trademark: “smashing” a ball of ground beef on the grill to form a hamburger.
4. Yodle
With revenue of $163 million and a little over 1,100 employees, Yodle is one of the fastest growing businesses to keep an eye on in 2015. The IT service firm provides local businesses with software to improve their online advertising reach and optimize their search engine rankings. After several years, founders Nathaniel Stevens, John Berkowitz, and Ben Rubinstein managed to raise $40 million in venture funding from several large investors.
3. Suja
What started out as a home-delivery service that sold store-bought produce repurposed in coconut water bottles, quickly grew into a million dollar business. Since 2012, founders Annie Lawless and Eric Ethans managed to raise $30 million in funding from investors like Boulder Brands and Alliance Consumer Growth. Today, the company produces organic, cold-pressed juice, selling at the high-end price of $8.99 per bottle in stores like Wholefoods. Now that’s what I call a success story.
2. Fuhu
With investors like DreamWorks and Acer, this Android-based tablet manufacturer raised $55 million by focusing on the children’s education market. Its most popular product is the Nabi tablet, which includes educational games and parental controls. CEO Jim Mitchell announced this year that the next step will be launching the DreamTab, which the firm created in collaboration with DreamWorks.
1. Lyft
Founded in 2012 by John Zimmer and Logan Green, this privately held company’s mobile application offers a safe platform for peer-to-peer ridesharing by linking passengers with available drivers. Thanks to the tagline “your friend with a car” and the astonishing $332.5 million from investors like Mayfield Fund and Floodgate, Lyft now has over 73,000 Twitter followers and tops our list of the fastest growing businesses in 2015.
