Inc. 5000: See the Fastest Growing Telco Channel Businesses

Telecom companies number among the fastest growing private firms in the U.S.

Inc. recently unveiled its 2020 Inc. 5000, which ranks private-held American companies by growth. Telecom companies on the list grew at a median rate of 175% and added 7,052 jobs in 2019. They also reported $4.4 billion in revenue last year, up from $3.9 billion in 2018.

Our list by no means covers all the channel-focused companies in the Inc. 5000, let alone all the telecom companies. If your company isn’t listed in our gallery below, don’t hesitate to brag in our comments section!

This time around we focused on the companies that listed themselves in the “telecommunications” category and operate with a known channel presence. Most of these fit a traditional channel partner definition, like a VAR or an agent. However, we also included three companies more commonly referred to as a master agent/distributor.

We’ll cover the managed IT service providers in another story.

Scroll through the images below to see 12 of the fastest growing telecom-focused companies in the U.S.

Then check out the channel-friendly companies that made the list in 2019.

Pax8

Rank: 111
3-Year Growth: 3,208%
Founded: 2012
Employees: 201-500

The cloud distributor appeared on the list for the third time. It reported $42 million in revenue last year, and although Inc. 5000 no longer lists revenue, Pax8 continues to grow. We wrote last month about it joining RingCentral's partner program.

Titanium Wireless

Rank: 257
3-Year Growth: 1,729%
Founded: 2015
Employees: 11-50

The Florida firm focuses on a variety of mobility services, including IoT and fleet tracking. Jessica Rhodes founded the company only five years ago, and it has quickly made its mark on the industry. For example, the company finished as a finalist in the Next-Gen Telecom category of the Excellence in Digital Service Awards last year.

In addition, Titanium Wireless holds membership in the AT&T Partner Exchange program as a platinum solution provider.

Sarvicus

Rank: 257
3-Year Growth: 1,729%
Founded: 2015
Employees: 11-50

The Texas-based company provides IT and network services. It partners with a variety of vendors, including HPE, Cisco and RingCentral. In fact, Sarvicus recently earned a certification with RingCentral's SMB-focused Ignite program.

QOS Networks

Rank: 718
3-Year Growth: 657%
Founded: 2012
Employees: 51-200

The Irvine, California-based company provides managed network services with an emphasis on SD-WAN. The newest Inc. 5000 doesn't show the exact number of employees, but last year's edition listed 24 QOS employees. That means the company has at least doubled its staff.

CEO Frank Cittadino spoke to us last year about a huge SD-WAN deal the company scored with a government agency.

NexxtGen Corporation

Rank: 856
3-Year Growth: 552%
Founded: 2012
Employees: 11-50

The Texas-based company provides a variety of telecommunications services, from internet of things to technology consulting to tower building. Its technology partners include Verizon, T-Mobile and AWS.

Broad Sky Networks

Rank: 1,614
3-Year Growth:  237%
Industry: Telecommunications
Founded: 2003
Employees: 18

The Oregon-based company not only appeared for a fourth time on the list but improved its position a third time. The vendor collaborates with multiple master agents, including Intelisys, TBI and PlanetOne.

Telarus

Rank: 2,045
3-Year Growth:  207%
Founded: 2002
Employees: 201-500

The Utah-based master agent continues to grow its headcount and supplier stable in 2020. Telarus is also working hard on international growth, having recently hired a regional vice president for Canada. 

The company reported $119.1 million in revenue in 2018, per the 2019 Inc. 5000.

GeoLinks

Rank: 2,956
3-Year Growth: 133%
Founded: 2011
Employees: 51-200

The competitive local exchange carrier made the list for the fourth time. The company made $14.8 million the previous year, according to the 2019 Inc. 5000. GeoLinks provides a fixed wireless network solution called ClearFiber. GeoLinks CEO Skyler Ditchfield praised his staff for their efforts.

"This is a testament to the efficient work our team at GeoLinks has put into not only maintaining our growth trajectory, but sustainable progress that has allowed us to continue focusing on innovation while delivering industry-leading service to our customers," Ditchfield said.

Bandwave Systems

Rank: 3,191
3-Year Growth: 120%
Founded: 2000
Employees: 11-50

The New Jersey-based broadband aggregator appeared on the leaderboard for a sixth time. Bandwave sources multiple carriers and works with telecom agents and IT consultants.

Innovative Business Solutions

Rank: 3,676
3-Year Growth: 100%
Founded: 2007
Employees: 11-50

It's a fifth appearance for Innovative Business Solutions. The Colorado-based master agency partners with agents, VARs and MSPs, as well as a variety of carriers. Comcast Business praised the company for its "for agility, scale, and strong customer support." Earlier this year Managing Partner Jed Kenzy spoke to us about the company's CableFinder service.

nexVortex

Rank: 4,398
3-Year Growth: 75%
Founded: 2002
Employees: 81

The managed network SIP trunking services provider earned its 10th inclusion on the list. BCM One this spring announced plans to purchase nexVortex. The deal deepened BCM One's geographical footprint and SIP trunking capabilities, while giving nexVortex partners access to "a true UCaaS service."

Sandler Partners

Rank: 4,567
3-Year Growth: 69%
Founded: 2003
Employees:  51-200

Another year, another appearance on this list. Chalk down an 11th time that the California-based master agent has made the Inc. 5000. The company recently signed a new SD-WAN supplier partner and introduced several personnel appointments.

The company reported $90.7 million in revenue in 2018.