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News Briefs

Fifteenth Annual 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned and -Led Companies Announced

The Women Presidents Organization and JPMorgan Chase recognized the 2022 ranking of the 50 fastest growing women-owned/led companies.

The Women Presidents Organization (WPO), in collaboration with JPMorgan Chase, released the 15th annual ranking of the 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies. This year’s 50 Fastest list is led by companies focused on healthcare, government and technology. For the second year in a row, the top three companies are run by women of color.

The 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies of 2022, presented by the Women Presidents' Organization (WPO) and sponsored by JPMorgan Chase.

Celebrating 15 years

The 15th anniversary of the 50 Fastest heralded a number of firsts and notable trends. The WPO received more applications this year than ever before. The ranking reflects the largest number of consumer brands since its inception. According to this year’s applicant survey, the percentage of honorees that reported doing business globally declined 4 percent since 2021. Over 96 percent of honorees report that their businesses have returned to pre-pandemic profitability or were never adversely affected.

“This year’s 50 Fastest winners are raising the bar for today’s entrepreneurs,” said Thelma Ferguson, Vice Chair of JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking. “These incredible business owners, and countless others, are scaling new technologies, advancing purposeful missions and creating new pathways to success that will benefit generations to come.”

From January to December of 2021, the 50 Fastest generated a combined $6.8 billion in revenue and collectively employed more than 30,000 people.

The top three awardees are:

  1. SimpleHealth, Inc. in New York, NY. The telemedicine platform focuses on reproductive health. It returns to the 50 Fastest list this year, moving up from the number two spot in 2021. Helmed by CEO Carrie SiuButt, the company has one of the most accessible platforms for accessing birth control products online. It has more than doubled in size and increased its revenue by 571 percent over the past two years.
  2. Newcomer Highlight Technologies, Inc., based in Fairfax, VA, debuts at number two on the list. Highlight, which is led by Founder and CEO Rebecca Andino, has quadrupled its revenues over the past two years. They provide critical development and modernization and secure IT and mission solutions to more than a dozen U.S. federal government customers.
  3. Fintech start-up Stax also returns at number three on the list, up three spots from 2021 after a whirlwind year of growth. Stax is an all-in-one platform that helps businesses simplify payments with an innovative, flat-fee, subscription-style approach. Based in Orlando, FL the company is led by 34-year-old CEO and Founder Suneera Madhani. Stax has grown from one to 180 employees in seven years and recently attained “unicorn” status, announcing a $1 billion valuation after its latest round of investment.

Words from leaders

“It is an honor to celebrate the talented and innovative leaders of these 50 companies. They have experienced exponential growth in both size and revenue in today’s marketplace,” said Camille Burns, CEO of the Women Presidents Organization. “The WPO and JPMorgan Chase are excited to recognize and elevate these inspiring and diverse women-owned and -led companies, which are not only providing valuable products and services and generating economic growth but changing the public perception of, and conversation around, women-owned businesses.”

More about this year’s 50 Fastest:

  • Average honoree age: 51
  • Average years in business: 18
  • 78 percent started the business
  • 74 percent provide telecommuting
  • 70 percent provide flex time
  • 74 percent do business with Fortune 1,000 companies

The 50 companies were honored during a luncheon and ceremony at the WPO Annual Conference on May 5, 2022. It took place in Montreal, Québec at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth. Immediately following the ceremony, JPMorgan Chase hosted a discussion and audience Q&A. It featured the 50 Fastest honorees, who shared insights and advice for WPO members looking to grow their businesses.

About WPO

The Women Presidents Organization (WPO) is a non-profit membership organization. Dynamic and diverse women business leaders around the world can tap into collective insight. They get exclusive access to entrepreneurial equals, innovative ideas and executive education. WPO members have guided their business to generate at least $2 million USD in gross annual sales. Each WPO chapter serves as a professionally-facilitated peer advisory group. Members can harness the momentum of their successes and cultivate new strategies that will take them even further. Learn more at women-presidents.com.

About JPMorgan Chase

JPMorgan Chase & Co. is a leading financial services firm based in the United States of America (“U.S.”), with operations worldwide. JPMorgan Chase had $4.0 trillion in assets and $285.9 billion in stockholders’ equity as of March 31, 2022. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing and asset management. Under the J.P. Morgan and Chase brands, the Firm serves millions of customers in the U.S., and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients globally. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

To learn about more inspiring women leaders, check out Lioness’s Women in the News.

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