NEW YORK, Aug 12 – Inc. magazine today revealed that Clear Ridge Defense is No. 140 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, ranking in the top 500, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. Clear Ridge Defense, a cyber security defense contractor and consulting firm in the Baltimore area, increased their revenue by 2,649% in the last three years. Despite the COVID-19 environment, the business continues to expand its team and clientele to advance the mission and goals of their defense and commercial clients in 2020.
The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Not only have the companies on the 2020 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists as well. The 2020 Inc. 5000 achieved an incredible three-year average growth of over 500 percent, and a median rate of 165 percent.
“We’re honored to receive this ranking from Inc. Magazine,” said Jeffrey Bullock, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Clear Ridge Defense, also noting that the company ranked no. 5 in Maryland. “It’s a written reflection of the commitment, determination and focus of our team and our ability to disrupt the cybersecurity category in an already-crowded market.”
In addition to its financial growth, Clear Ridge has rapidly increased its team in the last three years. The company rose from three full-time employees to 33 full-time team members between 2016 and 2019. Its employee base is comprised of 70% prior military and over 80% with prior military or civil service background. All employees receive generous health care benefits, 401k matching, training allocations, financial advising, cell phone stipends, and employee wellness benefits.
“As a service-based business, our team members are our competitive edge,” said Chris Comstock, CoOwner and Chief Operating Officer. “Our team has a broad range of expertise from software development to C-level cybersecurity strategic advising, which enables us to provide an unparalleled level of service to our defense and commercial clientele. Ensuring that they’re properly supported outside of work has always been a priority, and given the rapidly-evolving pandemic climate, this support has never been more critical.”
Clear Ridge Defense was founded in April 2015 with the mission and vision to support the Joint, Service Cyber Components, Department of Defense, and commercial clients in specialized cyber support. The foundational principle was to establish an organization that provided premier services while minimizing overhead, in order to remain highly competitive in terms of both cost and compensation. Ever since, Clear Ridge Defense has evolved to provide superior cybersecurity support to a range of federal and commercial clients.
The top 500 companies will be featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 12.
“The companies on this year’s Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business,” says Inc. editor-inchief Scott Omelianuk. “From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism.”
ABOUT CLEAR RIDGE DEFENSE
Clear Ridge Defense, no. 140 on the 2020 Inc. 5000, specializes in cyber security and defense and supports Joint, Service Cyber Components, Department of Defense, and commercial clients. The Maryland-based business was founded in April 2015 by Jeffrey Bullock. The company employs just under 40 team members across the nation who specialize in cyberspace operations, planning, software development, forensics, systems engineering, intelligence analysis, and other unique challenges. For more information, please visit https://clridge.com/.
MORE ABOUT INC. AND THE INC. 5000
Methodology
The 2020 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public
or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.’s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.
About Inc. Media
The world’s most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com.