50 Colorado companies to watch 2010
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OPX BIOTECHNOLOGIES INC.
SNAPSHOT: OPXBIO is using biotechnology to convert renewable raw materials into biochemicals and biofuels.
LEADERSHIP: Charles Eggert is president and CEO of the Boulder-based company.
WORK FORCE: 35 full-time equivalent employees in 2009, projected to grow in 2010.
ALL ABOUT SCIENCE: OPXBIO was founded in 2007 by Dr. Michael Lynch and Dr. Ryan Gill from the University of Colorado for the development of bio-based chemicals and fuels. From the beginning, the goal of the company was to create a sustainable enterprise. This meant not only being environmentally sustainable in its operations and creating environmentally sustainable products, but also creating sustainable profits with substantial employment growth.
MARKET NICHE: The company uses its proprietary EDGE (Efficiency Directed Genome Engineering) technology to rapidly develop microbes that can produce biochemicals and biofuels from renewable feedstock such as sugar or biomass. OPXBIO's first product will be bioacrylic, followed by biodiesel.
GREEN SCENE: For bioacrylic, OPXBIO's process will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent over the standard petroleum-based process.
GIVING BACK: Most employees of the company are either scientists or engineers with advanced degrees. As a result, the company has a strong commitment to the development of the sciences.
PAGE 1 SOLUTIONS LLC
SNAPSHOT: Page 1 Solutions provides website marketing services to attorneys, plastic surgeons, cosmetic dentists and ophthalmologists throughout the United States and Canada. The company writes, designs and programs websites for clients and then markets them through search-engine optimization, pay-per-click management and social media.
LEADERSHIP: Daniel N. Goldstein is president of the Golden-based company, which was founded in 2001.
WORK FORCE: The company employed 56 full-time equivalent employees in 2009 and expects to grow to 67 this year.
COMPETITIVE EDGE: A recurring revenue model system is based on monthly fees to clients for guaranteed first-page search engine results. "This created the environment for consistent growth that contrasts with website marketing competitors that only get paid once for each new website they build," the company says. The company also requires clients to add new pages and blogs to their websites to improve search-engine results.
INNOVATION: Page 1 Solutions switched from a Microsoft Access-based MIS system to SalesForce.com and created a custom application called TaskForce, which help the company manage all its projects. "TaskForce allows employees and management to determine the status of each project at any time and eliminates delays and mistakes."
PLAYTIME LLC
SNAPSHOT: PLAYTIME designs and manufactures innovative play areas that positively impact businesses by enhancing the family experience.
LEADERSHIP: Mike Evans is president and CEO of the Englewoodcompany, which was founded in 2001.
WORK FORCE: 55 full-time equivalent employees in 2009, projected to grow in 2010.
MARKET NICHE: Each PLAYTIME play area is designed to drive traffic and enhance a brand. Whether the company is enhancing a local McDonald's PlayPlace or installing a breakfast set for a mall, the emphasis is on creating unique destinations.
PLAY TIME: Company features two play areas for customers to see and for employees to show off. The vault is the finance and accounting department; the ballpark is the sales department; the creation chamber is the design department; and area 51½ is the production studio, complete with a simulated eye scanner required for entry.
GIVING BACK: PLAYTIME has financially supported Brent's Place with company-sponsored teams running in their annual Kids Cure For Cancer event. In 2009, the company installed a playground in the new Brent's Place at the Fitzsimons Medical Center. PLAYTIME also works with various Ronald McDonald Houses, installing anti-bacterial play areas, which are so important to children with life-threatening illnesses.
PRODUCT ARCHITECTS INC.
SNAPSHOT: Product Architects Inc. innovated the sport bottle industry in 1994 with the first insulated plastic bottle, Polar Bottle. Product Architects has a commitment to producing an American-made product using environmentally safe materials and practices with high standards of quality control, inventory and waste management.
LEADERSHIP: President Judy Amabile co-founded the Bouldercompany in 1994.
WORK FORCE: The company had 30 full-time equivalent employees in 2009, projected to reach 34 in 2010.
MARKET NICHE: "Prior to Polar Bottle there was not an effective, affordable insulated sport bottle on the market. The introduction of colored foil liners and patterns increased the options for individual customers and custom programs."
SOLUTIONS: Polar Bottle keeps liquids cold longer. The bottle's longevity is enhanced by the ability to thoroughly clean the bottle, valve and cap, which are covered by three patents.
GROWTH CURVE: When Dick's Sporting Goods placed its first order in 1995, the business went from "nothing to something." Other clients include REI, Sports Authority, LL Bean and the Container Store.
QUALVU INC.
SNAPSHOT: QualVu delivers streamlined Web-based solutions for consumer research, replacing traditional focus groups. By connecting brands and consumers around the globe via Webcam, QualVu delivers more compelling and actionable business intelligence to drive better decision making.
LEADERSHIP: CEO John Williamson founded the Goldencompany in 2007.
WORK FORCE: The company had 22 full-time equivalent employees in 2009, projected to reach 110 in 2010.
MARKET NICHE: "QualVu is the first company in the world to develop a breakthrough solution for conducting Web-based consumer feedback, allowing businesses to take their qualitative research online - without losing the "face-to-face" connections crucial to qualitative research."
SOLUTIONS: QualVu innovation allows any user with an Internet connection to provide Webcam-based feedback at the press of a button, resulting in speed, cost and global reach advantages. Other innovations allow video data to be converted to business intelligence within hours (vs. days and weeks with traditional methods).
GROWTH CURVE: Clients include Proctor & Gamble, Microsoft, Kimberly Clark, Unilever, General Mills, Midas, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Young & Rubicam, DISH Networks, Chrysler, Adidas and Clorox.
RED CANYON ENGINEERING & SOFTWARE
SNAPSHOT: Red Canyon is a NASA contractor and subcontractor to top military and government agency prime contractors that specializes in real-time flight and ground software, hardware and system design.
LEADERSHIP: Barry Hamilton has been president and CEO since 2000.
WORK FORCE: The Denver company had 35 full-time equivalent employees in 2009 and expects to add 15 more in 2010.
MARKET NICHE: "Red Canyon Engineering and Software (RCES) has carved a niche in the heavens by specializing in the design and development of cutting edge software that flies interplanetary spacecraft. Since its inception in 2000, RCES has written, tested and integrated over 300,000 lines of real-time flight and ground software for 13 NASA missions."
SOLUTIONS: In 2001, RCES won the Deep Impact contract with Ball Aerospace during which RCES engineers worked on flight and simulation software for altitude determination and control, inertial reference unit, and Deep Space Simulator. The contract more than doubled its employees and enhanced its reputation in the Colorado aerospace arena.
GROWTH CURVE: RCES has doubled both its revenue and number of employees over the past two years and is projected to grow by another 80 percent to 100 percent in 2009.
REGIS LEARNING SOLUTIONS
SNAPSHOT: Regis Learning Solutions (RLS) develops strategic decision-making simulations for large companies and government agencies.
LEADERSHIP: Founder Michael Vaughan has been president/CEO since 2008.
WORK FORCE: The Goldencompany had 30 full-time equivalent employees in 2009, expected to reach 36 in 2010.
MARKET NICHE: "Its custom simulations are changing the way organizations learn and innovate. UPS, McDonald's, Ernst & Young, Hyatt Hotels and the Air Force, among others, are using RLS simulations to prepare their leaders and staff to pursue new global strategies faster than ever before."
SOLUTIONS: The company's innovations include Cornerstones - an interpersonal skills self-assessment for leaders, provided with customized reports; BRIDGE - a customizable sales simulation that teaches strategic selling in a competitive and teamwork-driven environment; and SimPort - a simulation framework technology that assists in creating cost effective simulations within a short time frame.
GROWTH CURVE: Regis Learning Solutions has grown 62 percent since 2007 and has been profitable every month for more than two years.
RIVADA NETWORKS LLC
SNAPSHOT: Rivada Networks delivers leading-edge wireless solutions for Public Safety and Rural Broadband users.
LEADERSHIP: Declan Ganley is founder, chairman and CEO.
WORK FORCE: The Colorado Springs company had 28 full-time equivalent employees in 2009 and expects to add 24 more in 2010.
MARKET NICHE: "Rivada Networks has literally changed the face of Public Safety Communications by introducing low cost, open architecture technologies to enhance a traditional industry which was very resistant to change."
SOLUTIONS: Rivada effectively eliminated the need for expensive radio tower-based infrastructures and introduced high speed wireless IP voice, video and data access for first responders regardless of location. This resulted in the nation's first Public Safety private enterprise cellular network. Using the same technology, Rivada won a $30 million federal grant to deliver broadband service to impoverished communities in Alaska.
GROWTH CURVE: Clients include Civil and Federal Public Safety Communications, police departments in New York and Los Angeles, the states of Alaska and Louisiana, U.S. Northern Command, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Guard Bureau.
RTL NETWORKS INC.
SNAPSHOT: RTL Networks Inc. delivers a full range of products and services focused on helping its Department of Defense, Federal Government and commercial customers increase productivity and maximize performance and security of their operational assets.
LEADERSHIP: Richard Lewis is the owner, president and CEO.
WORK FORCE: The Denver company had 54 full-time equivalent employees in 2009, expected to reach 62 in 2010.
MARKET NICHE: "RTL Networks Inc. has significantly differentiated itself by creatively and intelligently utilizing customizable, collaborative technologies like Microsoft SharePoint to provide additional functionality and tools for every customer engagement. One popular implementation of SharePoint is to provide a Customer Engagement Portal, which allows clients to better monitor contract progress, compliance and review areas of concern, including vacancies/hires, problem resolution, training materials and schedules."
SOLUTIONS: A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system has been implemented and configured, better enabling RTL front-line employees and executive staff to track opportunities from the initial "Prospecting Phase," all the way to the "Deal Closing" stage.
GROWTH CURVE: RTL's average annual growth rate from 2003 to 2009 has been more than 100 percent.
SKA BREWING CO.
SNAPSHOT: Ska is a microbrewery and distributorship in Durango that makes beer for local and national distribution.
LEADERSHIP: David Thibodeau is president and co-founder.
WORK FORCE: The company has 27 full-time equivalent employees.
MARKET NICHE: Ska was the first craft brewery on Colorado's Western Slope to bottle its beer, and it bought the nation's second small-scale canning line available to small brewers and one of the first automated small-scale canning lines. Canned beers are now its fastest growing products.
SOLUTIONS: "Filters and a device that helps eliminate beer-spoiling air greatly increased the shelf life of our products and thus enabled us to begin wholesale distribution outside of Colorado."
GROWTH CURVE: After maintaining growth of 10 percent to 20 percent for each of the last 13 years, Ska increased capacity with the construction of a new facility in 2008 and recorded 46 percent wholesale growth with overall 38 percent growth the following year.
INDUSTRY: Ska is the only Colorado craft brewer acting as a wholesaler for more than 150 other brands of beer, which allows the company to offer a wide variety of craft and imported beers to its retailers.
SOURCE OFFICE PRODUCTS
(SOURCE MANAGEMENT INC.)
SNAPSHOT: This Wheat Ridge company provides business consumables, office products, copiers, printers, furniture, complete coffee and break room supplies, specialized business printing, delivery and service.
LEADERSHIP: John Givens is CEO.
WORK FORCE: The company has 88 full-time equivalent employees, expected to hit 100 in 2010.
MARKET NICHE: Source Office Products offers industry-leading online account management and ordering technology, all with the service touch of a local, friendly supplier. A proprietary internal software solution and customer-focused website enables customized solutions for each buyer, ensuring flexibility of information and fast performance.
SOLUTIONS: "Our customers can log on to a state-of-the-art storefront built by our in-house programming staff which has customizable features that the mega office supply companies can't offer. There is a tiered management approval system for larger organizations. Customers can find their favorite items with a click and many more order system features, adding to a sustainable competitive advantage."
GROWTH CURVE: When most companies were laying off employees in 2009, Source increased work force, acquired an established business and started two new divisions. Through national partnerships and local warehousing, Source continued to grow and services expanded, providing 25,000+ items to clients for next-day free delivery.
SURVEYGIZMO
SNAPSHOT: SurveyGizmo is a sophisticated and cost-effective survey software solution for anyone to build and run online surveys.
LEADERSHIP: Scott McDaniel is co-founder and CEO.
WORK FORCE: The Boulder company had 16 full-time equivalent employees in 2009 and planned to add six more in 2010.
MARKET NICHE: SurveyGizmo provides survey software for organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Clients include Whole Foods, Disney, Hewlett-Packard, Gulfstream Aerospace, Microsoft, Harvard, JPMorgan Chase and FedEx. SurveyGizmo's strengths include fast growth, inventive employee relations, innovative contributions to the survey software industry and a continual effort to put the customer first.
SOLUTIONS: SurveyGizmo is built on an innovative data storage mechanism that allows surveys and responses to be stored as serialized data text files. This allows more simultaneous surveys without issues of max database connections or the need for keeping multiple databases synched. It also makes it easier and more cost effective to add hardware without adding more database servers.
GROWTH CURVE: The company had a 3,153 percent increase in revenue between its first and second years and has maintained triple-digit growth annually - which it expects to maintain through 2010.
VIBRANT SOLAR INC.
SNAPSHOT: Vibrant Solar is a designer-integrator of solar photovoltaic systems for residential and commercial use.
LEADERSHIP: Scott Van Kirk has been president since the Denvercompany's inception in 2006.
MARKET NICHE: "Our LEED Accredited designer provides superior PV system parameters and the ability to install on rooftops other companies decline."
SOLUTIONS: Vibrant Solar is now the sole authorized integrator for the highest efficiency solar module in the world, the 31 percent efficient SunCube CPV module The SunCube produces dramatically more power than standard solar panels, reducing costs of production to compete with polluting forms of energy.
GROWTH CURVE: In April 2008, Vibrant Solar became the sole PV installer for HomeSmart from Xcel Energy, allowing the company to expand operations to most parts of Colorado. Vibrant's sales have exceeded 250 projects in just under four years.
SELLING POINT: "The bottom line for solar is not offering the lowest
price. It is delivering the best return on investment. Expert knowledge of solar incentives and system design is part of the equation. We add energy controllers to most projects to decrease usage and demand costs, supplementing the solar production for a significantly higher ROI."
ZOLO TECHNOLOGIES INC.
SNAPSHOT: Zolo designs, manufactures and installs unique laser-based instruments that enable coal-fired power plants to run cleaner and better.
LEADERSHIP: Henrik Hofvander became CEO in 2004.
MARKET NICHE: Zolo was incorporated in December of 1999 to design and manufacture high-tech products for telecommunication applications. After the bubble burst in the telecommunications industry in 2002-2003, Zolo's remaining management team came up with a new application for their product, focusing on sensors for ultra-harsh environments, specifically within the coal-fired power industry and the jet engine industry.
SOLUTIONS: Using research from Stanford University, Zolo has developed a unique laser-based sensor that, for the first time, directly measures the combustion process in a coal-fired power plant. The ability to directly measure this process enables combustion to be optimized. For coal-fired power plants this means improved efficiency, increased reliability and reduced emissions of NOx and CO2, the leading cause of climate change
GROWTH CURVE: Zolo plans to expand the CO2 reduction via Generation Efficiency and New Technology (or CO2GENT) to as many as 25 plants over the next two years.
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