In the season’s spirit of giving, Inc. magazine has named three Houston companies to its 2022 Best in Business list, recognizing companies that put purpose before profit.

The Houston honorees are:

• Enchanted Rock, a producer of energy microgrids powered by natural gas and renewable natural gas. In a news release, Thomas McAndrew, the company’s founder and CEO, says the Inc. recognition reflects “the dedication and hard work of our employees who work tirelessly to help our customers keep their power on.”
• Proxima Clinical Research, a contract research organization for the biotech and medtech sectors. Earlier this year, Proxima appeared on the Inc. 5000 list of the country’s fastest-growing private companies.
• Smith, a distributor of electronic components and semiconductors. The company has undertaken several humanitarian relief efforts for Ukraine, including the donation of at least $750,000 worth of electronics to Ukrainian citizens.

Inc. says its Best in Business list recognizes “the most dynamic companies of all sizes and industries that have had an outstanding influence on their communities, their industries, the environment, or society as a whole.”

Rather than relying on criteria tied to sales or funding, Inc.’s editors reviewed companies’ achievements over the past year and focused on how they made a positive difference in the world. They then selected honorees in 55 overall categories, and in age-based, revenue-based, size-based, and impact-based categories.

In all, Inc. named 14 Texas companies to this year’s Best in Business list. Aside from the three Houston companies, they are:

• Austin-based AlertMedia, which produces emergency communication software
• Austin-based Halcyon, a provider of security technology
• Austin-based Matterlab, a communications agency
• Austin-based Pushnami, which offers an advertising and engagement platform
• Austin-based ZenBusiness, a provider of business products and services
• Dallas-based Upkeep Aesthetics, a franchiser of medical spas
• Fort Worth-based TimelyMD, which delivers virtual health and well-being services for students
• Frisco-based Lexipol, a provider of policy, training, and wellness services for the public safety sector
• Irving-based Tricolor Holdings, which sells used cars and extends auto loans to underserved Hispanic consumers
• Plano-based Improving, a provider of tech consulting and training
• San Antonio-based AmeriVet Veterinary Partners, an operator of veterinary practices