Plano-based StaffDNA—whose staffing platform helps healthcare workers manage their careers by finding temporary and full-time positions—has been named the region’s fastest-growing entrepreneurial company in the annual SMU Cox Dallas 100 ranking.
The SMU Cox School of Business Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship presented StaffDNA with the top award at the Dallas 100 Entrepreneur Awards Gala Thursday at the Dallas Hyatt Regency. Winners were announced in ranked order from 100 to 1 at the annual awards event.
StaffDNA’s job search technology serves a range of professions and settings from RNs to certified nursing assistants, as well as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health settings.
“We’re equalizing the playing field with tech that allows anyone to find and choose the job they want,” StaffDNA founder and CEO Sheldon Arora said in June, when the company launched new integrated platform technology.
The company is part of a big trend in North Texas: Four of this year’s top 10 Dallas 100 winners are in the healthcare staffing field. (And so was last year’s No. 1 winner, Irving-based double unicorn ShiftKey.) Overall, 16 healthcare industry companies are among the 2023 Dallas 100.
‘Healthcare industry is surging across the country’
Simon Mak, executive director of the SMU Cox Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship, said that due to a number of factors—including medical advancements and an aging population—”the healthcare industry is surging across the country.”
“Our ranking of this year’s fastest-growing privately held companies shows that the Dallas area reflects that growth,” Mak added in a statement. “In fact, this is the second consecutive year that our No. 1 company, StaffDNA, is a healthcare staffing company. Last year’s top winner, Shiftkey, was a healthcare facilities finder. It’s clear that healthcare is a critical and growing part of the Dallas-area economy.”
The pandemic had a lot to do with the top Dallas 100 rankings of the past two years, Mak noted.
“This group of winners was chosen based on company statistics they submitted for the three years that the COVID pandemic was at its peak,” he said. “They deserve recognition not only for their contributions to the area economy but also for their innovative spirit and resilience.”
The Dallas 100 generated a collective $11 billion-plus from 2020 to 2022
Collectively, the 2023 Dallas 100-ranked companies generated more than $11 billion from 2020 to 2022, the last year for which complete financial records are available. Over that same time, all 100 companies created nearly 14,000 jobs and grew average sales by 146%. In 2022 alone, all 100 companies together generated sales of over $5.5 billion, the institute said.
To qualify for the Dallas 100 competition, companies must have revenue earnings of $500,000 to $100 million dollars.
Sheldon Arora, founder and CEO of StaffDNA [Photo: StaffDNA]
The Top 10 winners in the 2023 Dallas 100
The top 10 companies were given special recognition at Thursday’s Dallas 100 gala:
- StaffDNA—Founded in 2020, StaffDNA aims to redefine the digital staffing model with next-generation technology. Its app provides nationwide coverage to more than 6,000 hospitals, long term care, and skilled nursing facilities, the company says. StaffDNA has received World Changing Technology recognition from Fast Company and Best Place to Work designation by Modern Healthcare, among other awards.
- Advantis Medical Staffing—Dallas-based Advantis connects travel nurses and allied health professionals to opportunities across the U.S. Co-founded by Silicon Valley staffing executives, it offers an app-based platform where users can find personalized job matches.
- Aligned—The Plano-based data center company provides scale data centers and powered shell/build-to-scale solutions with adaptive infrastructure and industry-leading cooling technology, deployed sustainably at a record-setting pace.
- Big Town Concrete—Irving-based Big Town Concrete launched in 2020 as a small ready-mix operation. Combining more than 20 years of “determination and industry expertise,” it aims to produce better concrete while providing exceptional service for longstanding customers.
- LiquidAgents Healthcare—Founded in 2003, the Plano-based healthcare staffing agency provides clinical staffing solutions to public and private health systems across the U.S. for travel nursing, travel allied health professionals, and permanent placement.
- Front Burner Society—Founded in 2020, Dallas-based FB Society innovates restaurant concepts across the Southwest. Its concepts include Whiskey Cake, The Ranch, Velvet Taco, Mexican Sugar, Ida Claire, Sixty Vines, and more.
- Ironside Human Resources—The Dallas-based healthcare staffing company works with both small and large healthcare facilities, recruiting for any profession that can be found within a medical setting such as nurses, physicians, technologists, and therapists across all specialties.
- o9 Solutions—Founded in 2009, o9 offers an analytics, AI, and knowledge-powered platform for planning and decision-making for global companies. In July, it announced raising $116 million in new funding to boost its valuation to $3.7 billion.
- Focus Staff—Dallas-based Focus is a “traveler-first” nurse and healthcare staffing agency connecting professionals to jobs in all 50 states.
- PayNetWorx LLC—The Van Alstyne-based company offers traditional digital and crypto payment services via a comprehensive set of cloud-based solutions.
2023 Dallas 100 winners, ranked
Here’s the complete list of the SMU Cox Dallas 100 companies for 2023, listed from one to 100:
|
1 |
StaffDNA |
Plano |
Digital platform for healthcare staffing |
|
|
2 |
Advantis Medical |
Dallas
|
Travel healthcare staffing |
|
|
3 |
Aligned |
Plano |
Data center provider |
|
|
4 |
Big Town Concrete, LLC |
Irving |
Ready-mixed concrete producer |
|
|
5 |
LiquidAgents Healthcare |
Plano |
Full-service healthcare staffing solutions |
|
|
6 |
Front Burner Society |
Dallas |
Restaurant incubator and operator |
|
|
7 |
Ironside Human Resources |
Dallas |
Healthcare staffing |
|
|
8 |
o9 Solutions |
Dallas |
AI software platform provider |
|
|
9 |
Focus Staff |
Dallas |
Travel healthcare staffing services |
|
|
10 |
Paynetworx, LLC |
Van Alstyne |
Payment processing provider |
|
|
11 |
Newline Interactive |
Allen |
Interactive displays, intuitive software |
|
|
12 |
Alto |
Dallas |
Premium ride-hailing service |
|
|
13 |
Embark |
Dallas |
Business advisory firm |
|
|
14 |
Elevate Windows and Doors |
Grand Prairie |
Vinyl windows and doors manufacturer |
|
|
15 |
Sol-Ark |
Allen |
Solar engineering company |
|
|
16 |
BBG Real Estate Services |
Dallas |
Commercial real estate services |
|
|
17 |
BeauTech Power Systems, LLC |
Dallas |
Aircraft engine leasing |
|
|
18 |
Valor Healthcare, Inc. |
Dallas |
Healthcare services contractor |
|
|
19 |
Precision Global Corporation |
Rockwall |
Venture capital firm |
|
|
20 |
Rudick Construction Group, Inc. |
Dallas |
Full-service commercial general contractor |
|
|
21 |
Curis Functional Health |
Dallas |
Functional health and wellness company |
|
|
22 |
Alwood |
Richardson |
Aluminum extrusion and hardware merchants |
|
|
23 |
Coats Homes |
Dallas |
Luxury custom home builder |
|
|
24 |
Anders Group |
Irving |
Allied health recruiters |
|
|
25 |
Lone Star Analysis |
Addison |
Prescriptive analytics, guided AI |
|
|
26 |
Ameripipe Supply, Inc. |
Dallas |
Pipe, valve and fitting supplier |
|
|
27 |
RiseIT Solutions |
Dallas |
Software and technology services company |
|
|
28 |
Zeal IT Consultants |
Dallas |
Software development consultancy |
|
|
29 |
Qentelli, LLC |
Dallas |
Digital and cloud technology company |
|
|
30 |
Apex Dental Partners |
Dallas |
Administrative support services to dentists |
|
|
31 |
ZINTEX Remodeling Group |
Lewisville |
Bathroom installation and renovation |
|
|
32 |
AmeriPac, Inc. |
Grapevine |
Contract packaging and fulfillment |
|
|
33 |
Linear Roofing & General Contractors, LLC |
Addison |
Commercial and residential insurance re-roofing |
|
|
34 |
Emler Swim School |
Dallas |
Swim instruction for children |
|
|
35 |
Phoneternet, LLC Real Time Feedback |
Dallas |
Customer engagement platform |
|
|
36 |
Blue Hammer Roofing, Inc. |
Dallas |
Commercial roofing |
|
|
37 |
Anserteam Workforce Alliance |
Dallas |
Multiple industry staffing services |
|
|
38 |
SYNERGEN Health |
Dallas |
Technology-driven revenue cycle services |
|
|
39 |
T2D Concepts |
Farmers Branch |
Purpose-driven hospitality group |
|
|
40 |
BP Aero Engine Services, LLC |
Irving |
Commercial aircraft engine repair |
|
|
41 |
Tek Leaders, Inc. |
Frisco |
Digital transformation and strategic consulting |
|
|
42 |
Brainvire Infotech, Inc. |
Plano |
Digital transformation company |
|
|
43 |
M Crowd Restaurant Group |
Irving |
Restaurant group |
|
|
44 |
Hite Digital |
Frisco |
Digital marketing and branding agency |
|
|
45 |
SignaPay |
Irving |
Credit card processing |
|
|
46 |
Zimperium |
Dallas |
Mobile security platform |
|
|
47 |
Compass Datacenters |
Dallas |
Custom, move-in-ready data centers |
|
|
48 |
CityVet, Inc. |
Dallas |
Veterinary medical care and pet services |
|
|
49 |
G Texas Custom Catering, LLC |
Dallas |
Full-service catering and bar company |
|
|
50 |
HealthMark Group |
Dallas |
Healthcare information management technology |
|
|
51 |
FTK Construction Services |
Allen |
General contractor |
|
|
52 |
Take Command |
Dallas |
Tech startup healthcare system |
|
|
53 |
Amino Transport |
Southlake |
Third-party logistics firm |
|
|
54 |
Cloud Communications Group |
Dallas |
Technology expense management and IT advisory |
|
|
55 |
ParkHub |
Dallas |
Parking management technology |
|
|
56 |
Tolleson Wealth Management |
Dallas |
Financial services of all kinds |
|
|
57 |
C1S Group, Inc. |
Dallas |
Industrial and commercial renovation |
|
|
58 |
pawTree, LLC |
Southlake |
Customized pet food and supplements |
|
|
59 |
Buchanan Technologies |
Grapevine |
Managed IT services |
|
|
60 |
Synaptic Pediatric Therapies |
Richardson |
Pediatric speech and occupational therapy |
|
|
61 |
SoundPro |
Irving |
Audio, video and lighting equipment |
|
|
62 |
Bridgefarmer & Associates, Inc. |
Dallas |
Civil engineering firm |
|
|
63 |
Maple Distributing |
Irving |
Premium appliances distributor |
|
|
64 |
Pursuit |
Dallas |
Sales and marketing staffing firm |
|
|
65 |
Expo Home Improvement |
Carrollton |
Home improvement company |
|
|
66 |
Warrior Logistics, Inc. |
Coppell |
Long-haul freight transportation provider |
|
|
67 |
Level 5 Retail Construction, Inc. |
Sachse |
High-end retail general contractor |
|
|
68 |
Bython |
Frisco |
Digital publishing and marketing company |
|
|
69 |
ENO8 |
Plano |
Digital product development studio |
|
|
70 |
Octed, LLC DBA Programmers.io |
Coppell |
Experts in AS400/IBMi programming |
|
|
71 |
Imaginuity |
Dallas |
Service marketing and advertising agency |
|
|
72 |
D3V Technology Solutions |
Dallas |
Cloud engineering firm |
|
|
73 |
Lime Media Group |
Rockwall |
Experiential marketing agency |
|
|
74 |
Direct Orthopedic Care |
Addison |
Full-service orthopedic clinic |
|
|
75 |
IMCS Group, Inc. |
Irving |
IT and healthcare staffing company |
|
|
76 |
BuzzClan |
Dallas |
Technology consulting and staffing firm |
|
|
77 |
MMC |
Irving |
Workforce management services provider |
|
|
78 |
Plutus Health, Inc. |
Dallas |
Healthcare revenue cycle management |
|
|
79 |
Care Continuity, Inc. |
Irving |
Patient navigation company |
|
|
80 |
Sirius Building Company |
Dallas |
Finish-out construction |
|
|
81 |
MangoChango |
Dallas |
Software development |
|
|
82 |
Mohr Partners, Inc. |
Dallas |
Real estate advisory and outsourcing services |
|
|
83 |
Valent Partners |
Dallas |
Management and technology consultant |
|
|
84 |
Wheeler Staffing Partners |
Plano |
Staffing firm |
|
|
85 |
United Protective Services |
Dallas |
Security services company |
|
|
86 |
Lightbeam Health Solutions |
Irving |
Health management platform |
|
|
87 |
Summit Endeavors DBA Georgetown Building Solutions, LLC |
Addison |
Importer of finish-out building materials |
|
|
88 |
Vista Bank |
Dallas |
Banking services |
|
|
89 |
Our Data Works, Inc., DBA Our Service Works |
Carrollton |
eCommerce fulfillment and customer care |
|
|
90 |
Value Creed, LLC |
Plano
|
Consulting and managed services firm |
|
|
91 |
ESA, Enterprise Staffing Agency, LLC |
Dallas |
Medical and hospitality staffing firm |
|
|
92 |
Dux Commercial |
Carrollton |
Commercial drywall contractor |
|
|
93 |
Red Elephant |
Lewisville |
Architectural sign manufacturer |
|
|
94 |
Lawson Event Rentals |
Dallas |
Event rental company |
|
|
95 |
Northgate Construction |
Addison |
Commercial general contractor |
|
|
96 |
ID90 Travel, Inc. |
Southlake |
Travel app |
|
|
97 |
Unity Search, LLC |
Dallas |
Staffing firm |
|
|
98 |
Cariloop |
Richardson |
Human-centered caregiver support platform |
|
|
99 |
Allata |
Dallas |
Application development firm |
|
|
100 |
OrderMyGear |
Dallas |
Custom-branded store platform |
How the rankings were compiled
Each year, the Caruth Institute ranks the area’s top 100 entrepreneurial companies based on percentage growth and absolute dollar growth over the previous three years, emphasizing their contributions to the Dallas area economy, with the winners representing “a broad spectrum of businesses” from Dallas and 16 surrounding cities.
Working with the accounting firm FORVIS LLP, the institute examined 2020 to 2022 sales information submitted by hundreds of companies.
This year’s presenting company was Texas Capital Bank. In addition to FORVIS LLP, the 2023 program event sponsors were ActOne Group; Executive Press; MarketScale; and USI Insurance Services. Media sponsors were Dallas Business Journal and KRLD NewsRadio 1080.
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