Organ transplants, tech staffing, hydroponic lettuce and ice cream sandwiches. What do they have in common? All four are industries where a Greater Richmond company just landed on the list of the fastest-growing private companies in America, and the stories behind them are better than the rankings.
The 2026 Inc. 5000 list was announced recently which serves as a ranking of the fastest growing companies in America. Of the 248 Virginia companies that made it, 32 are in the Greater Richmond region. Nine are first-timers: Tempo, Greenswell Growers, Brandefy, Defiant Food Group, Contractor Independence Marketing, Sandbox, One Environmental Group, Phlow Corp. and Bumble Roofing.
Here is what we love about this year’s roster: No single industry is carrying this region. Scroll down to the full list and you will find a pharmaceutical developer three spots from a roofing company, a wealth manager next to a commercial tire dealer, cosmetics beside custom software. That balance of businesses points to a thriving and diverse regional economy.
Meet the top three
Tempo landed at No. 268 nationally on 1,260% growth over three years. Founded in 2021, the national staffing agency connects organ procurement organizations and transplant centers with qualified independent contractors. The company provides experienced, travel-ready medical professionals for clinical coordination, surgical recovery, perfusion, family advocacy and remote organ procurement operations, while vetting contractors and managing liability coverage and compliance. Tempo stands apart from general healthcare staffing agencies with its niche focus on organ donation and procurement
“Tempo is incredibly proud to represent the Richmond area with this national recognition”
Andrew Vannatta, COO Tempo
Key Choice Group came in second locally at No. 808 with 427% growth — its second year on the list. Key Choice Group is a boutique recruitment and staffing agency headquartered in Richmond, Va., matching high-performing candidates with scaling companies in technology, sales and engineering. Rather than acting as a transactional resume shop, the company takes a mentorship-driven, consultation-first approach that evaluates technical expertise and cultural fit.
Greenswell Growers debuted at No. 858 with 404% growth. The hydroponic farm expects to turn out more than 900,000 pounds of lettuce this year from an 80,000-square-foot facility in the Greater Richmond MSA. President and CEO Carl Gupton says that the recognition caps five-plus years of hard work and that the hydroponic vertical farming industry is finally hitting its stride.
Why GRP pays attention to this list
We have been part of more than 570+ announced projects since 1995, adding up to 60,000+ jobs and better than $14 billion in investment. This list shows that continued effort alongside the businesses that grew up around those projects and are now growing exponentially themselves.
Lists like the Inc. 5000 make growth look like it happens to just a company but it doesn’t stop there. It happens to a company inside a place, surrounded by customers and suppliers and people who know how to do the work. In that vein we’d like to highlight one more company on the list as an example of an existing company working with economic development partners.
Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches, No. 1,420
We got to be part of this one directly, and it is still a thrill to see them prosper.
Nightingale came to the Greater Richmond Partnership and the City of Richmond in late 2024 with a good problem. Target, Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart all wanted more ice cream sandwiches than the company could make. We sat down with the team and our economic development partners, dug into the numbers and got them the research they needed to make the expansion decision.
Recently, Nightingale announced a new production facility with more than 100 new jobs. This expansion means we hope to continue to see them on the Inc. 5000 in the future. When the expansion happens, The Virginia Economic Development Partnership will be backing the new hires through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
“We’re deeply grateful for the support which will help us accelerate our growth while staying true to our Richmond, Virginia roots. As we expand, our commitment to this community remains stronger than ever.”
Hannah Pollack, Co-Founder, President and CEO Nightingale
A company that started in a restaurant kitchen now ships to more than 5,000 stores. It’s hard not to root for that.
We’re so proud to be a small part of their success story and we hope that our services will come in handy for future operations with them.
Christopher Hollomon is director of marketing at the Greater Richmond Partnership, leading marketing and communications initiatives focused on business recruitment to the Greater Richmond Region. He brings a diverse background in graphic design, marketing, public relations and digital media, including award-winning campaigns. He holds a Bachelors and Masters Degree from Radford University and lives in Henrico County, VA.
