The Philadelphia 100® is an annual award presented by the Entrepreneurs' Forum of Greater Philadelphia.

 By tracking the fastest growing, privately held companies in the Greater Philadelphia, we:

1. - Help to spread the word about the economic vitality of the Greater Philadelphia region to spawn, support and grow a diverse group of businesses 
2. - Place a spotlight on the 100 fastest growing, privately held companies which form the backbone of the region's economy 
3. - Develop the business acumen of the region by sharing success stories
4. - Measure the economic impact these companies have on the economy

History of the Philadelphia 100® Mission

In 1988, a group of entrepreneurial supporters and professional-service providers gathered at the Entrepreneurs" Forum of Greater Philadelphia to brainstorm about how to highlight the contribution of entrepreneurial companies to the region.  The result of this brainstorm was the birth of Philadelphia 100®, an annual award to celebrate the success of our regions fastest growing, privately held companies. The Philadelphia 100® has been an inspiration to other cities and regions throughout the United States.  Approximately ten other cities/regions have consulted with the Philadelphia 100® about how they would start their own 100 list. 

In 1998, the Philadelphia 100® compiled a list of the top 25 companies' all time performers for the first ten years (based on revenues). At that time, that list of performers was contributing $4.4 billion and employing 35,000 people including industry icons such as Urban Outfitters, Kremer Laser Eye Center, Froman Mills, Mother's Work, and Primavera Systems. 

In 2004, the Philadelphia 100® Hall of Fame was created as a way of honoring those winners who repeatedly made the list.  The criteria for this honor is: any company that make the Philadelphia 100® list  of fastest growing privately held companies five times or more or any person who holds the position of CEO for two or more Philadelphia 100® companies at the time they appeared on the Philadelphia 100® list of fastest growing, privately held companies five times or more.

About Philadelphia 100® Award Requirements

What we started as an idea to bring recognition to our region has emerged as a new standard – a standard of excellence.

The Philadelphia 100® is a merit-based program. Only companies that are among the fastest growing, privately held companies are awarded the Philadelphia 100® designation. The integrity of the process and the resulting list makes the Philadelphia 100® one of the most sought after awards in the region.

     The Base Requirements:

• Companies located in the Greater Philadelphia Region. 
• Positive 3-year average revenue growth. 
• Companies earning more than $125,000.00 in the earliest reported year. 
• The company legally reported and filed tax returns.