Sierra Bravo on Inc. annual list of America’s fastest growing private companies

Inc. has announced its annual list of America's fastest growing private companies – and Sierra Bravo is #556 on the Inc. 5000. Additionally, Sierra Bravo ranked #7 on Inc.'s Top 50 Businesses in the Minnesota, as well as #77 on Inc.'s Top 100 IT Services Companies.

From 2004 to 2007, Sierra Bravo 's revenue jumped from $599,828 to $4.1 million – an increase of 585.5%, far outpacing the median average of 187% for the other 579 IT Services and Software companies – the Inc. 5000's largest business category.

"This accomplishment underscores the unique opportunity we have at Sierra Bravo to be nation's 'place to go' for web development services," said Luke Bucklin, President of Sierra Bravo . "The passion and enthusiasm for our work is what puts us in a position to do great things." Founded in 2003 by Bucklin and fellow programmers Mike Derheim and Mike Schmidt, Sierra Bravo is now the largest independent web development firm in the Twin Cities.

Sierra Bravo creates practical, business-minded web solutions, including social media and Web 2.0 applications, e-commerce, content management systems, desktop widgets, database and legacy system integration, and customer relationship management tools.

Driving Sierra Bravo 's steady growth is its Partner Program. Sierra Bravo adds sophisticated web development to the end clients of its Partners, which include ad, design and marketing agencies nationwide, particularly in Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Milwaukee and San Francisco.

"Sierra Bravo 's success is powered by nerds," said Bucklin. "With more than 50 programmers on staff, we can handle any web project for any client, anywhere. We consider every option in matching client needs and project scope with the appropriate technology and best-suited brains. We keep our edge by hiring top developers eager to learn – and even teach us a few tricks." Watch a video about Sierra Bravo nerds.

Inc. touts the Inc. 5000 as "the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy – America's independent-minded entrepreneurs.  Taken as a whole, these companies represent the backbone of the U.S. economy."

"The Inc. 5000 gives an unrivalled portrait of young, underreported companies across all industries doing fascinating things with cutting-edge business models," said Inc. 5000 Project Manager Jim Melloan. The 5000 companies that made the list reported aggregate revenue of $185 billion and median three-year growth of 147 percent. As engines of job growth, the 2008 Inc. 5000 companies have created more than 826,033 jobs since they were founded.

Companies apply to Inc. by submitting revenue figures in four consecutive years, so this was the first year Sierra Bravo was eligible for the Inc. 5000. As creators of the F1 Overnight Website Challenge, Sierra Bravo led 88 volunteer web pros to donate 24 hours of their time and talent to build free websites for 11 Minnesota non-profits – collectively valued at $200,000.