NEW YORK, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Inc. magazine ranked Gazelle No. 24 overall and No. 2 in terms of Boston-based businesses on its 29th annual Inc. 500, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy—America's independent-minded entrepreneurs. Companies such as Microsoft, Zappos, Intuit, GoDaddy, Zipcar, Oracle, and many other well-known names gained early exposure as members of the Inc. 500.
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Gazelle, the largest and fastest-growing player in the reCommerce industry, was recognized for achieving more than 7,000% growth between 2006 and 2009. In this time, Gazelle also built a leading consumer brand by providing the best experience for trading in or recycling used gadgets. Today the company has grown to serve more than 100,000 customers by enabling the trade in of more than 250,000 gadgets on gazelle.com. Gazelle's aggressive growth also allowed the company to expand its retail partnerships, including relationships with walmart.com, Sears, Kmart, Office Depot, and Costco.
"Our Inc. 500 ranking takes us back three years and gives us an amazing opportunity to reflect on what we've achieved as well as consider the great opportunity that still lies ahead of us," said Israel Ganot, co-founder and CEO of Gazelle. "Achieving the No. 24 rank, and being the second company listed in the Consumer Product & Services industry, serves as a testament to our innovative business model and ambition to create real, global consumption change."
"Fast growth at any time is a big achievement; fast growth during the past few years is just short of miraculous," said Inc. editor Jane Berentson. "The Inc. 500 consists of these just-short-of miraculous companies, the ones that through ingenuity and ambition have increased revenue, hired employees, and grown fast in difficult economic times."
The 2010 Inc. 500, unveiled in the September issue of Inc. magazine (available on newsstands August 24 to November 16 and on Inc.com), is a group of companies that are smaller but much faster-growing than last year's crop. Aggregate revenue is $11.3 billion—down from last year's $18.4 billion—but median three-year growth is 1,231 percent, substantially up from last year's 880.5 percent. The companies on this year's list employ more than 45,000 people. Complete results of the Inc. 500, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at Inc.com/500.
Despite the ongoing recession, the 2010 Inc. 500 offers a glimpse of the future of the U.S. economy. In the health sector, which saw aggregate revenue of $1.1 billion and a 917 percent median growth rate, businesses are moving forward on cancer and stem-cell research, clinical trials, and medication management. More than 25 percent of companies in the energy sector ($2.5 billion aggregate revenue; 942 percent median growth rate) focus on solar and other alternative sources. Fewer than a third of retailers ($356 million aggregate revenue; 914 percent median growth rate) have even a single brick-and-mortar store. And the number of companies providing technical services to the various branches of the federal government continues to rise.
ABOUT GAZELLE
Gazelle (www.gazelle.com), a service of Second Rotation, Inc., is committed to providing an easy, fast, and safe way for consumers to get cash for selling unwanted electronics or to recycle them responsibly. To date, more than 80,000 consumers have used the service as a way to clean out closets, get cash and help out a good cause. In addition, Gazelle empowers consumers to avoid time consuming and risky online experiences associated with peer-to-peer selling. Consumers can rest assured that all personal information is thoroughly removed from their item while benefiting from conveniences like free shipping and packaging. Based in Boston, Gazelle is backed by premier venture capital firms Physic Ventures, Venrock Associates and RockPort Capital Partners.
ABOUT INC. MAGAZINE
Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures LLC, Inc. (www.inc.com) is the only major business magazine dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies that delivers real solutions for today's innovative company builders. With a total paid circulation of 712,647, Inc. provides hands-on tools and market-tested strategies for managing people, finances, sales, marketing, and technology. Visit us online at www.inc.com.
SOURCE Gazelle
For further information: Michael Schneider, RF|Binder Partners, +1-212-994-7546, gazelle@rfbinder.com
