Fast-growing Houston tech firm leads dozens of local companies on Inc. 5000

growth report

Houston-based Action1 landed at No. 29 nationally and No. 1 in the software category in this year's Inc. 5000 ranking. Photo via Getty Images.

Dozens of Houston-area businesses appear in this year’s Inc. 5000 ranking of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S., with a security software provider capturing the region’s No. 1 spot on the list.

Landing at No. 29 nationally and No. 1 in the software category, the top-ranked Houston-area private company is Houston-based Action1. The company recorded median revenue growth of 7,188 percent from 2021 to 2024, according to the Inc. 5000.

It’s the first appearance on the Inc. 5000 list for Action1, founded in 2018.

Action1 produces patch management software. A patch, or fix, quickly repairs software to resolve functionality problems, improve security or add features, according to TechTarget.

“Modern organizations understand that proactive patch management is essential to staying ahead of today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape,” Mike Walters, co-founder and president of Action1, said in a news release. “Our continued hypergrowth reflects the increased demand for enterprise cybersecurity innovation. You can’t be just powerful and secure — you must also be simple to deploy and scale and cost-effective.”

Below are the Houston-area businesses that earned a ranking among the top 1,000 companies, including their industries and their three-year growth rate. To see the other Houston-area companies in the Inc. 5000, visit inc.com/inc5000/2025.

  • No. 29 Houston-based Action1, software (7,188 percent)
  • No. 49 Spring-based Bogey Bros Golf, retail (5,540 percent)
  • No. 84 Houston-based Turtlebox Audio, consumer products (3,818 percent)
  • No. 87 The Woodlands-based Allied Wealth, financial services (3,796 percent)
  • No. 319 Houston-based Strategic Office Support, business products and services (1,228 percent)
  • No. 324 Houston-based Novo Communications, security (1,212 percent)
  • No. 363 Houston-based OptiSigns, software (1,101 percent)
  • No. 385 Houston-based Cart.com, business products and services (1,053 percent)
  • No. 421 Houston-based Sydecar, financial services (962 percent)
  • No. 471 The Woodlands-based Acuity Technology Partners, IT services (869 percent)
  • No. 577 Stafford-based Dahnani Private Equity Group, real estate (718 percent)
  • No. 706 Houston-based Why Not Natural, consumer products (585 percent)
  • No. 709 Stafford-based Signarama Sugar Land, manufacturing (584 percent)
  • No. 744 Houston-based FINBOA, software (557 percent)
  • No. 747 Houston-based Amundson Group, human resources (557 percent)
  • No. 793 Houston-based Field Industries, manufacturing (533 percent)
  • No. 957 Friendswood-based Good Ranchers, food and beverage (448 percent)
  • No. 999 Houston-based ARIA Signs & Design, business products and services (428 percent)
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Here's what Houston company scored the No. 2 spot among the fastest-growing private companies in the Southwest. Photo via Getty Images

Houston companies snag spots on regional Inc. 5000 list

by the numbers

Revenue growth is on fire at Houston-based Simple Solar.

Revenue at Simple Solar, a provider of residential solar installations, soared 8,007 percent from 2019 to 2021, putting it at No. 2 among the fastest-growing private companies in the Southwest. It leads the list of 25 Houston-area companies appearing in the new Inc. 5000 Regional rankings for the Southwest.

Between 2019 and 2021, the 165 private companies on the Southwest list posted an average growth rate of 557 percent. In 2021 alone, they added 16,116 jobs and nearly $5.5 billion to the Southwest’s economy.

“This year’s Inc. 5000 Regional winners represent one of the most exceptional and exciting lists of America’s off-the-charts growth companies,” says Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. magazine. “They’re disruptors and job creators, and all delivered an outsized impact on the economy. Remember their names and follow their lead. These are the companies you’ll be hearing about for years to come.”

Here are the 25 Houston-area companies that made the Inc. 5000 Regional list for the Southwest, including their regional rankings.

  • No. 2 Simple Solar, Houston-based provider of residential solar installations, 8,007 percent growth
  • No. 6 Medical Edge Recruitment, The Woodlands-based health care recruiting and staffing firm, 2,980 percent growth
  • No. 8 Specialty1 Partners, Houston-based provider of surgical support services for dental practices, 2,921 percent growth
  • No. 15 Magnolia-based online women’s clothing retailer Jess Lea, 1,471 percent growth
  • No. 36 Houston-based accounting and advisory firm EFS Group, 458 percent growth
  • No. 39 Blackbuck Resources, Houston-based designer, builder, and operator of water infrastructure for the oil and gas industry, 432 percent growth
  • No. 48 Leveled Concrete, Houston-based provider of concrete and foundation repair services, 298 percent growth
  • No. 52 iCRYO Brands, Houston-based franchisor of cryotherapy centers, 269 percent growth
  • No. 53 TAXA Outdoors, Houston-based retailer of camping trailers, 268 percent growth
  • No. 58 Proxima Clinical Research, Houston-based contract research organization, 243 percent growth
  • No. 64 Ledge, Katy-based seller of in-pool and backyard furniture and accessories, 234 percent growth
  • No. 66 TekRevol, Houston-based software developer, 226 percent growth
  • No. 79 Finish Line Tax Solutions, Houston-based tax relief firm, 194 percent growth
  • No. 82 Incfile, Houston-based provider of services for small businesses, 192 percent growth
  • No. 99 Flocknote, Magnolia-based provider of technology that helps churches boost attendance and foster connections, 152 percent growth
  • No. 125 Onit, Houston-based developer of workflow and AI software, 104 percent
  • No. 137 InterLinc Mortgage, Houston-based mortgage lender, 85 percent growth
  • No. 140 Classy Art, Houston-based supplier of wall décor, 83 percent growth
  • No. 145 Zulie Venture (Cellpay), Sugar Land-based provider of prepaid wireless services, 78 percent growth
  • No. 149 Total Pump Solutions, Houston-based distributor of fire suppression equipment, 75 percent growth
  • No. 155 Construction Concepts, Houston-based commercial construction firm, 67 percent growth
  • No. 157 Energy Ogre, Houston-based service that helps consumers find electricity plans, 63 percent growth
  • No. 164 Garrison Construction Group, Houston-based commercial construction firm, 60 percent growth
  • No. 165 Technocrats Domain, Houston-based provider of IT services, 60 percent growth
  • No. 166, G&A Partners, Houston-based professional employer organization, 60 percent growth
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Amazon's robotaxi service Zoox rolls out in 'sprawling' Houston market

On the Road

Amazon-owned robotaxi ride-hailing service Zoox is zooming into Houston in September, becoming the latest robotaxi operator jockeying for local riders.

Initially, self-driving retrofitted SUVs with safety drivers on board will serve downtown Houston, centrally located tourist hotspots, and certain residential neighborhoods. The SUVs will test Houston roads before Zoox rolls out autonomous robotaxis here, the company says.

Zoox takes Houston for a test drive

At the outset, Zoox says, a limited number of vehicles will be driven by people to gather data about Houston roads.

Zoox test drive Photo courtesy of Zoox

“This helps create a detailed picture of each street, from road geometry to traffic lights,” the company says. “Once we have mapped out an area, we will test autonomous driving capabilities. Safety and operational readiness govern the pace of our rollout.”

Zoox says its robotaxi differs from vehicles operated by other ride-hailing services.

The all-electric robotaxi “is purpose-built for autonomous ride-hailing and designed for riders from day one,” the company says. “It has no traditional driving controls and instead has carriage-style seating, sliding glass doors, and features that let the rider personalize their journey.”

To help manage the fleet, Zoox plans to open a depot in Houston for vehicle charging and maintenance, a representative says via email.

Along with Houston, Zoox is launching this month in San Diego. The ride-hailing service already operates in Austin, Dallas, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix, the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.

Zoox breaks into “sprawling” Houston market

Zoox describes Houston as its “most sprawling market to date.”

“Driving here means navigating complex service-road networks, unique merging scenarios, and challenging environmental conditions, including severe heat, heavy rain, and urban flooding,” the company says. “It’s a rigorous test of our technology across geography and terrain.”

Zoox will join two other autonomous ride-hailing services in Houston:

  • Waymo began rolling in Houston in February. Alphabet, the parent company of Google, owns Waymo.
  • Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla began offering robotaxi services earlier this year.

A third Zoox competitor is arriving within the next year. A partnership comprising rideshare provider Uber, EV manufacturer Lucid, and autonomous technology company Nuro plans to launch a robotaxi service in Houston by mid-2027.

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This article originally appeared on CultureMap.com.

Houston energy giant Shell lists local headquarters for sale for $325M

On the Market

Energy giant Shell has put its U.S. headquarters in Houston’s Energy Corridor on the market and is exploring the sale of its U.S. chemical business.

Green Street News reported Shell just listed its longtime Energy Corridor campus at 150 N. Dairy Ashford Road. The asking price is $325 million, The Real Deal reported. Shell plans to lease back half of the nearly 1.5 million-square-foot Woodcreek campus for 15 years.

A sale-leaseback deal could transform the 43.6-acre campus into a multitenant hub, CoStar News reported.

“Houston is a critical hub for Shell globally and the headquarters of our U.S. businesses,” a Shell spokesperson told the Houston Business Journal. “We remain committed to Houston and are evaluating opportunities to optimize our Woodcreek campus as part of our ongoing review of workplace needs while maintaining a strong presence in the city.”

Shell occupied its first building at the West Houston campus in 1980. The company employs more than 6,000 people in Texas.

Shell is one of the highest-profile businesses occupying space in the Energy Corridor. It’s home to 67,000 workers, more than 27 million square feet of office and mixed-use space, and 3.8 million square feet of retail and restaurant space.

Shell considers $8B sale of chemical business
As the company seeks to unload its Woodcreek campus, The Financial Times reported Shell is looking into selling its U.S. chemical business. The price tag: $8 billion.

Potential buyers include Spring-based ExxonMobil and Houston-based LyondellBasell.

Shell operates four chemical plants in Texas, Louisiana and Pennsylvania, producing an array of chemicals for use in plastics, detergents and pharmaceuticals.

Shell CEO Wael Sawan said last year that the company had spent $45 billion in capital “that is underperforming for us,” split between its chemical business and renewable energy arm.

Shell also agreed to sell its solar and wind power business in India this summer. Read more here.

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This article originally appeared on EnergyCapitalHTX.com.

10+ can't-miss Houston business and innovation events for September

where to be

The energy transition and AI will be the talk of this town this month, thanks to a packed calendar of Houston events. September brings the return of Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week and some of its signature anchor events, plus AI conferences and talks exploring how the technology is impacting everything from healthcare to leadership. Here’s what not to miss and how to register. Please note: this article may be updated to add more events.


Sept. 3 — Entrepreneurship Roundtable with Open

Open Houston and the Ion present this roundtable event to bring together founders, builders, and innovators at various stages of venture development. This month's session will feature Faisal Bhutto, president and CEO of Houston-based AI and tech consulting firm Alykas.

This event is Thursday, Sept. 3, from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Ion. An optional lunch ticket is available for purchase. Register here.

Sept. 3 — AI Operator Spotlight: Houston’s Top AI Leaders Open Their Playbooks

The Houston AI Club, Allenix, the Ion District and Collide are bringing together industry leaders to share their expertise and first-hand experiences building AI companies. The event will feature a panel with Chuck Yates, co-founder of Collide, and Charles Jessup, senior manager of AI fluency at Raytheon, plus an open networking session.

This event is Thursday, Sept. 3, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Ion. Register here.

Sept. 8 — The Technology Leadership Advantage Series – For CEOs, VCs and PE Firms

Ram Prasad, CEO of Houston-based IT consulting firm Delence, will explore the role of leadership in turning AI investments into business value during the latest installment of this series at the Ion. The event will explore why AI strategies often fail before the technology does and how companies should approach AI ownership, governance, investment and accountability.

This event is Tuesday, Sept. 8, from noon-1 p.m. at the Ion. Register here.

Sept. 14–18 — Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week

Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week returns for its third year, with panels, happy hours and pitch days focused on the energy transition. See the schedule of events here. The week will begin with a kickoff block party and open house at the Ion.

This event starts Monday, Sept. 14. The Ion District will host many of the week's events. Find more information here.

Sept. 15 — Meet the Activate Houston Cohort 2026 Fellows

Meet Activate's latest cohort, which was named this summer, and learn more about their hardtech and climate-focused solutions. Also meet founders from the organization’s 2025 cohort during Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week.

This event is Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 5-7 p.m. at the Ion. Register here.

Sept. 15 – Cypher Pilotathon and Startup Showcase

Grab coffee and take in keynotes and panels featuring leaders from Amperon, Aramco Ventures, New Climate Ventures, Syzygy Plasmonics and many others during this signature event, this year under the theme “The NEW Energy Industrial Revolution.” After lunch, hear pitches from 31 ventures during the Pilotathon. This year's event will also feature a startup showcase with interactive booths where attendees can meet founders and see demonstrations, plus an industry hub where corporates and investors can engage with emerging technologies and identify the pilots they want to move forward with.

This event is Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at POST Houston. Get tickets here.

Sept. 15-17 — The AI in Health Conference

Rice University's Ken Kennedy Institute will present this future-focused event, aimed at bridging the gap between artificial intelligence and real-world health outcomes. The event will feature panels with leaders from institutions and companies from around the world, plus technical talks, poster presentations and networking receptions.

This event begins Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 8 a.m. at the BRC at Rice University. Register here.

Sept. 16 — Greentown Labs Climatech Summit

Entrepreneurs, investors, corporate leaders, policymakers and philanthropists will head to Houston this month for the annual Greentown Climatetech Summit. Hear from Greentown CEO Georgina Campbell Flatter and keynote speaker Tim Latimer, CEO and co-founder of Houston geothermal unicorn Fervo Energy, plus numerous other engaging panels at the Ion. Then head to Greentown Labs for an open house and startup showcase, where attendees can meet some of the climatech incubators' members, before taking in the startup pitch competition followed by happy hour over at the Continental Club.

This event is Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 8 a.m.–9 p.m. at multiple locations. Register here.

Sept. 18 — Rice Alliance Energy Tech Venture Forum

Hear from clean energy startups from around the world at the 23rd annual Energy Tech Venture Forum. In addition to the pitches, this event will also host keynotes from Sean Maher, chief economist at Phillips 66, and Ira Ehrenpreis, founder and managing partner of DBL Partner. Panels will focus on technologies, infrastructure and commercialization strategies needed to deploy breakthrough innovations at scale. Following the event, the Rice Alliance will also name its annual “Most Promising” startup.

This event is Thursday, Sept. 17, from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business. Register here.

Sept. 23 – Houston Methodist Innovation Discussion

Houston Methodist presents its latest Innovation Discussion this month for the Houston health IT community. This month's event will feature Dr. Jordan Dale, chief medical information officer and chief health AI officer at Houston Methodist, and Ginny Torno, executive director of innovation and IT clinical, ancillary and research systems for Houston Methodist. The two will share insights into Houston Methodist’s innovation strategy and approach to scaling new ideas, plus real-world lessons on AI adoption and more.

This event is Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Ion. Register here.

Sept. 23 — UH Energy Career Fair

Find your next job or team member at UH's energy-focused career fair. The event will feature companies from the fossil fuels, electrical power, nuclear power and renewables industries; plus nonprofits, governmental agencies and startups. And though the event is geared toward business, engineering, technology and science majors, it is open to students of all majors.

This event is Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the UH Student Center. Find more information here.

Sept. 30 — First Principles Tech Talk: From Orbit to the Lunar Surface

Head to the Ion for the first-ever First Principles Tech Talk. This event will feature short talks and moderated discussions geared toward founders, engineers and operators in the commercial space industry. The inaugural event will feature Megan Ortiz and Zach Paugh from Houston-based Axiom Space.

This event is Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 5-7 p.m. at the Ion. Register here.

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