Dozens of Bay Area companies are about to learn exactly how their growth stacks up against the region's best, as the San Francisco Business Times prepares to crown its 2026 class of fastest-growing private companies at an upcoming countdown gala. The event will reveal official rankings live, culminating in the announcement of the region's single fastest-growing company.
The awards program, organized by San Francisco Business Times, recognizes the Bay Area's fastest-growing private companies, according to the San Francisco Business Times.
A Three-Decade Track Record
This isn't a new tradition. The awards program has run for more than three decades and has previously spotlighted early-stage growth at companies that later went public or scaled globally, including Salesforce.com, Jamba Juice, and Joie de Vivre Hospitality, per a release from IGEL.
Exact rankings will be revealed at the live event, leaving final position comparisons as the open question heading into the gala. What's already public is the list of honorees.
A Sampling of This Year's Honorees
Among the 2026 honorees is ARCO/Murray NorCal, which previously reached No. 8 on the growth list in 2023 after posting over 300% three-year revenue growth, according to the company's own account. Also honored is 802 Secure Inc., doing business as LOCH Technologies.
San Francisco-headquartered A.M. Crawford, Inc., a fundraising consultancy and certified Women-Owned Small Business, is also among this year's honorees. The firm made the growth list for the past two years as of July 2025 while helping nonprofits raise tens of millions, according to the Alachua Chronicle. Also among the honorees are AdMail Express Inc. and 55Geeks.
Beyond the AI Hype Cycle
The honoree pool underscores a broader pattern seen across regional growth rankings this year. Inc. Magazine's 2026 Pacific list found that non-AI businesses — spanning healthcare, security, and software — accounted for 22 of 25 fast-growing private companies in the San Francisco metro area, with a median two-year revenue growth rate of 96%. It's a reminder that while AI startups have grabbed headlines and office towers downtown — as Hoodline has reported on legal-AI firm Harvey — the region's growth story also includes non-AI businesses.
The San Francisco Business Times' awards program recognizes the Bay Area's fastest-growing private companies.
Getting Into the Room
The program runs in three stages: registration and networking from 4:30 to 5:30 pm, the awards program itself from 5:30 to 6:30 pm, and a networking reception from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, all inside the Golden Gate Room on the 32nd floor of the Westin St. Francis at 335 Powell St. Attendees use their name badge from registration as their event ticket — no paper tickets are mailed, and no printed confirmation email is required.
Attendees can register for the event. All paid tickets are non-refundable but transferable. Sponsorship inquiries can be directed to event advertising contact Mike Fernald at 415-288-4942.
Per the business journal, honorees are chosen through an independent editorial review based entirely on merit, achievements, and contributions to their organizations and local communities, with the business journal's editorial leadership holding final say on all selections. Organizers describe the evening as an opportunity for networking, celebration, and inspiration.
