Each year, Inc. Magazine celebrates companies that aim not just to make profits but to make a positive impact on their communities and the world around them. The 2023 Inc. Best of Business list honors 215 companies that do just that—and eight of them are right here in North Texas.

“From contributing to their local communities, to transforming their industries, to making the world a better place, these inspiring companies prove that business can do well and do good,” Inc. writes. “Covering business-to-business companies along with brands that have disrupted consumer choices, we’ve assembled a diverse collection of influential organizations.”

Here are the North Texas companies that made this year’s list, joining other inspiring brands that Inc. believes “belong on a pedestal”:

Eyeful Media :: Dallas

Eyeful Media is the only Texas company to make Inc.’s list under the category of General Excellence. It also earned the honor in the Advertising category. Founded in 2016, the performance-focused digital marketing agency helps mid-market B2C and B2B companies scale and helps investment firms make buying decisions. Inc. cited Eyeful for making an impact on community development.

Movate :: Plano

Earning the honor in the category of IT Services, Movate is a digital technology and customer-experience services company delivering human-centered, technology-led solutions and niche value propositions to global clients. Founded in 1996, Movate was cited for its impact on economic development. In October, Movate acquired TSD Global, increasing its Philippines imprint and expanding into South Africa.

Astanza Laser :: Dallas

Making the list in the categories of Health Products and Correctional Re-entry Services, Astanza is a leader in lasers for tattoo removal, hair removal, and other aesthetic procedures. Founded in 2010, the company provides a three-business-day service guarantee, lifetime training and clinical support, and business and marketing strategies alongside its advanced aesthetic laser technology, Inc. writes.

FarmHouse Fresh :: McKinney

FarmHouse Fresh and the The Smurfs launched a 6-piece, limited-edition skincare collection. [Photo: FarmHouse Fresh]

Honored in the categories of Consumer Products and Retail, FarmHouse Fresh is a skin care company that does more than just offer “cruelty-free” products. It also uses a portion of its revenue to rescue and rehabilitate abused farm animals. Founded in 2004 with an early boost by Oprah Winfrey, FarmHouse launched a “Smurfs” collaboration in September to help support its animal rescues.

Thrust Flight :: Addison

Honored in the Education category for Career Development, Thrust Flight trains “safe, confident, and skilled” airline pilots in a nurturing and enriching educational space, Inc. writes. Founded in 2006, its pilot school offers a one-stop-shop for flight training, helping students launch their airline pilot careers in just 10 months.

Freeman :: Dallas

Making the list in the Consumer Services category, the nearly 100-year-old event planning company covers every aspect of event planning and management to create trade shows, events, and experiences. Freeman was cited for its impact on sustainability. In August, the company acquired Sparks, a Philadelphia-based global brand experience agency that’s even older than Freeman, having been founded in 1919.

Eden Green Technology :: Cleburne

[Image: Eden Green Technology]

Honored in the Agriculture & Natural Resources category for its impact on food insecurity, Eden Green is an indoor farming tech company that uses its vertical greenhouses to increase crop yields—while using less water, land, and energy than competitors. Founded in 2017, Eden Green recently broke ground on a $40 million expansion. 

UPKEEP :: Dallas

Making the list in the category of Consumer Services, UPKEEP was honored for its impact on at-risk youth. Founded in 2020, the full-service, woman-owned med spa has a company culture centered on service, respect, and benevolence. 

Methodology

Inc. selected the 215 companies on this year’s list after reviewing the list of applicants who were eligible for the honor. Companies were required to be privately held, headquartered in the U.S., and be independent, not a subsidiary. 

 A panel of experienced Inc. editors then divides into three teams to make the final selections. Each team assigns a letter grade to each application based on the evidence of altruistic accomplishments provided in the responses to the two prompts, relative to the size of the company. Inc. looks for initiatives and accomplishments that go beyond simply serving a company’s own clients or bottom line. 

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