Langbahn Team – Weltmeisterschaft

Inc. (magazine)

Inc.
September 2023 issue of Inc.
EditorMike Hofman[1]
CategoriesBusiness
Frequency4 times per year[2]
Total circulation
(June 2019)
653,189[3]
First issueApril 1979; 45 years ago (1979-04)
CompanyMansueto Ventures, LLC
CountryUnited States
Based inNew York City, New York, U.S.
LanguageEnglish
Websitewww.inc.com Edit this at Wikidata
ISSN0162-8968

Inc. is an American business media company founded in 1979 and based in New York City.[4][5] Inc. publishes several print magazine issues per year, and is anchored by journalistic content online and on social media, focused on entrepreneurship and related news. Inc. also produces several live and virtual events yearly, including the Inc. 5000 conference.[6]

Owned by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is best known for its annual rankings of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States, called the "Inc. 5000" as well as its Best in Business, Female Founders, and Best Workplaces awards.[7]

History

Founding and early years

Inc. launched as an American business magazine in Boston by Bernie Goldhirsh, focusing on growing companies, startups, and entrepreneurship. Its first issue appeared in April 1979. The magazine was headquartered in Boston's waterfront on the India Wharf and relocated to NYC in the early 2000s.[8] Goldhirsh was an MIT-trained mechanical engineer who founded Sail magazine,[7] which he sold for $10 million in 1980.[7] Paul W. Kellam, who had joined Goldhirsh's company as editor of Marine Business, was one of Inc.'s first editors.[9] Goldhirsh kept a low profile, and George Gendron, who served as editor-in-chief from 1980 to 2002, was considered the "public face" of the magazine. He was later succeeded by John Koten and Jane Berentson.[10][11][12]

In 1980, Inc. hired as a columnist MIT director David Birch, who was one of the first to recognize that small and new businesses created the majority of jobs in the U.S.[13][14][15][16][17]

In October 1981, Inc. became the first magazine to feature Steve Jobs on its cover, alongside the proclamation, "This man has changed business forever."[18] The early profile focused on Jobs' impact on the personal computer industry and Apple's rise as a key player. It enhanced the company's public image and recognized Jobs as a significant figure in the business world.[18]

In 1982, the magazine began publishing its Inc. 100 ranking to showcase the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States, which later became Inc. 500 and then the Inc. 5000.[19][20][21]

In 2000, Goldhirsh sold the magazine to German publishing house Gruner + Jahr[22] for a reported price of over $200 million.[9] In 2005, Joe Mansueto, founder of investment research firm Morningstar Ventures, bought Inc. and another business title, Fast Company, for about $35 million, forming publishing company Mansueto Ventures.[5]

2010s–2020s

In December 2013, Eric Schurenberg was appointed president and editor-in-chief of Inc.,[19][5] replacing the long-tenured Jane Berentson. In March 2018, Schurenberg was appointed CEO of Mansueto Ventures, and Jim Ledbetter was promoted to editor-in-chief of Inc.[22] Ledbetter was later succeeded by Scott Omelianuk and Mike Hofman, who currently serves as editor in chief.

Inc. Uncensored podcast won the 2016 and 2017 Best of the Web Awards for Best Podcast, along with a 2018 Folio: Eddie & Ozzie Award honorable mention.[23]

Inc. received multiple Folio awards in 2017 and 2018, including honors for full-print issues, best redesign, use of video, and use of social media.[23] Its 2016 feature, "The Stealthy Sales Kings of Amazon", won a Best in Business award from the Society for Advancing Business Writing and Editing.[24]

In 2023, Inc. won The Society of Publication Designer’s silver medal for Feature Profile, Non-celebrity Story for "Computer Freaks", published in May–June 2023.[25]

Operations

Inc. is a sister publication to Fast Company, both published under Mansueto Ventures, owned by Joe Mansueto.[26] Stephanie Mehta is currently the CEO of Mansueto Ventures,[27][28] which is now headquartered in New York City at 7 World Trade Center.[19]

Inc. focuses on entrepreneurship, startups, small businesses, and business growth. It provides insights, advice, special reports, and resources for business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals building their companies, as well as daily news on money, tech, and management.[29] Inc.'s online platform consists of Inc.com, the Inc. app, and the Inc. 5000 Community.

It publishes books under the imprint An Inc. Original in partnership with Greenleaf Book Group.[30]

Inc. produces a weekly, award-winning podcasts on which Inc. journalists discuss startups, technology, market and industry trends, and more.[23]

The magazine hosts several events, including the annual Inc. 5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony, which celebrates the Inc. 5000 and allows honorees, alumni, and other growth-minded entrepreneurs to learn and network.[31][32]

Editors-in-chief

  • George Gendron – 1980–2002
  • John Koten – 2002–2005[33]
  • Jane Berentson – 2005–2012
  • Eric Schurenberg – 2012–2018
  • James Ledbetter – 2018–2019
  • Scott Omelianuk – 2020–2024[34][35]
  • Mike Hofman – 2024–present[36][37]

Initiatives

As of 2024, Inc. has 5 ongoing recognition programs: Inc. 500 and Inc. 5000, (annual lists ranking the fastest-growing privately held companies in the U.S.), Best Workplaces, Female Founders, and Best in Business.

  • Inc. 500 and Inc. 5000: Annual lists ranking the fastest-growing privately held companies in the U.S
  • Best Workplaces: This program, started in 2016, is an annual list compiled by Inc. magazine that recognizes US companies with exceptional workplace cultures. These rankings are based on aspects such as company culture, employee benefits, professional development opportunities, work-life balance, and overall employee satisfaction. It highlights organizations that prioritize their employees' well-being and foster a positive work culture.[38][39]
  • Female Founders: Launched in 2018, this annual list recognizes influential female entrepreneurs who have made significant impacts in their industries. Notable recipients include women who have founded groundbreaking companies and initiatives.
  • Best in Business: Launched in 2020, this annual list honors companies that have made extraordinary contributions to their industries and society. Recognized companies demonstrate innovation, growth, and a commitment to positive impact.[40][41]

Past initiatives included:

  • Entrepreneur of the Year: an award, Inc. co-produced in partnership with Ernst & Young, starting in 1986, celebrating ambitious entrepreneurs whose ingenuity and leadership have driven their companies’ success and transformed industries.[42]
  • Inner City 100: highlighted successful businesses in inner cities, launched in collaboration with Michael Porter in 1997, focusing on underserved markets and fostering economic growth.[43][44]
  • Open Book Management: Promoted by John Case through Inc., this concept encouraged companies to share financial information with employees to drive engagement and performance.[45]

Inc. magazine publishes several podcasts, including:

  • From The Ground Up (formerly Inc. Uncensored): A weekly podcast by veteran business journalists from Inc. and Inc.com, covering startups, entrepreneurship, technology, and high-growth businesses. It has been running since 2015.[46][47]
  • For Starters with Alexa von Tobel: Launched in 2019, this podcast features conversations with entrepreneurs about their journeys, challenges, and the strategies they used to build successful companies.[48]
  • Computer Freaks: Hosted by Christine Haughney Dare-Bryan, this podcast covers the stories of pioneers in the computer industry and their impact on technology and business.
  • Founders Project: Began as an editorial initiative led by the magazine staff, it later became a podcast hosted by Alexa von Tobel starting in 2019. The project showcases the stories of entrepreneurs.[49][50]

Inc. 500

In April 1979, the inaugural issue of Inc. featured the 'Inc. 100,' a list of the fastest-growing, publicly held small companies. By 1982, this list had expanded to the 'Inc. 500,' ranking companies based on their overall revenue growth over a three-year period. The top 500 companies are featured in the September issue of Inc. magazine each year, highlighting their significant growth and achievements in the private sector of the United States.[51][52][53]

Inc. 5000

Inc. 5000 was first presented in 2007, expanding the Inc. 500. It lists the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. This list ranks these companies based on their revenue growth rate. It categorizes the fastest-growing companies by industry, metro area, revenue, and number of employees.[19]

To be eligible, privately owned companies must demonstrate three years of revenue growth among other criteria. Once included in the Inc. 5000, these companies are invited to a three-day Inc. conference. While all 5,000 companies are profiled on Inc.com, only the top 500 gain the spotlight in the September issue of Inc. magazine.[19]

Notable articles and writers

  • David Birch: Birch was director at MIT when his research revealed that small businesses were responsible for creating the majority of new jobs in the U.S. This finding challenged the conventional wisdom at the time and influenced economic policy and entrepreneurship research. Birch came to Inc. to write more about small business owners. His work has been widely cited in academic papers and government reports, shaping the understanding of small business dynamics.[14][13][54][55]
  • This Man Has Changed Business Forever (October 1981): The article featured Steve Jobs and Apple, marking the first time Jobs appeared on the cover of a major magazine. It highlighted Apple's innovative approach to technology and Jobs' visionary leadership. It has been referenced in books and articles about Apple and the tech industry.[56][57]

Famous companies and CEOs

Many well-known companies and CEOs received their first significant media exposure in Inc. magazine or on the Inc. 5000 list. Notable examples include:

  • Bill Gates, Microsoft: featured in the early 1980s, Microsoft gained recognition for its rapid growth and contributions to the software industry.[58]
  • Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia: featured in 1988 for its environmental commitment and business practices, gaining recognition for its rapid growth and sustainable practices.[59]
  • Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook: The social media giant was recognized early on for its growth and influence in the tech sector, appearing on the Inc. 500 list in 2008.[60]
  • Hamdi Ulukaya, Chobani: Known for its Greek yogurt, Chobani made its debut on the Inc. 5000 list in 2009, underscoring its rapid ascent in the food industry.[61]
  • Sara Blakely, Spanx: CEO Sara Blakely's story of entrepreneurship and innovation was first popularized by Inc.

Awards

  • ASME Awards:
    • 2012: General Excellence[62]
    • 2014: Reporting
  • SABEW Awards:
    • 2012 Best in Business Honoree for Turntable.fm[63]
    • 2016 Best in Business Honoree for "The Stealthy Sales Kings of Amazon" [64]

See also

References

  1. ^ Roush, Chris (February 23, 2024). "Hofman named new editor of Inc. magazine". Talking Biz News. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  2. ^ "How many issues does Inc. publish a year?". Inc. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  3. ^ ""Consumer Magazines"--Alliance for Audited Media". June 30, 2019. Archived from the original on September 17, 2019. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  4. ^ "Trends in the Market for Entrepreneurship Faculty, 1989–1998". ResearchGate. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c Haughney, Christine (November 30, 2014). "Long Overshadowed in Realm of Business Magazines, Inc. Grabs the Spotlight". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  6. ^ "How Fast Company and Inc. became more than magazine titles". Media Makers Meet | What's new in media. October 8, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c Delbridge, Emily (November 21, 2019). "The 8 Best Business Magazines of 2020". The Balance Small Business. New York City: Dotdash. Best for Startups: Inc. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  8. ^ "Entrepreneurship Education Chronology – eWeb: Entrepreneurship Education Resources by Jerome Katz". sites.google.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  9. ^ a b "Do the Right Thing – Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. March 13, 2007. Archived from the original on March 13, 2007. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  10. ^ Wilson, Claire (May 13, 2007). "An Open, Sunlit Space at 7 World Trade Center (Published 2007)". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 21, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  11. ^ Sederstrom, Jotham (November 24, 2010). "Lower Manhattan Gains Ground as Publishing Hub (Published 2010)". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  12. ^ Moses, Lucia (April 6, 2012). "Editor Out at 'Inc.'". Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  13. ^ a b "David Birch: Practice What You Teach". Inc.com. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  14. ^ a b Birch, David L. (1979). "THE JOB GENERATION PROCESS" (PDF). Cambridge, Massachusetts: M.I.T. Program on Neighborhood and Regional Change.
  15. ^ Landström, Hans. "David L. Birch's Contributions to Entrepreneurship and Small Business Research" (PDF). Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  16. ^ Case, John (January 1, 1989). "The Disciples of David BirchA new generation of researchers discover the effect of small business on the economy". Inc. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  17. ^ Katz, Jerome A (March 1, 2003). "The chronology and intellectual trajectory of American entrepreneurship education: 1876–1999". Journal of Business Venturing. 18 (2): 283–300. doi:10.1016/S0883-9026(02)00098-8. ISSN 0883-9026.
  18. ^ a b Isaacson, Walter (2011). Steve Jobs. New York: Simon & Schuster. pp. 106. ISBN 978-1451648539.
  19. ^ a b c d e "Inc. Turns 35 Under Editor Jim Ledbetter". Observer. October 2, 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  20. ^ "Fast (growing) company | The Journal Record". August 28, 2007. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  21. ^ Melloan, Jim (2007). "Introducing the Inc. 5,000That's the Inc. 500 plus 4,500 new fast-growing companies". Inc. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  22. ^ a b "Boston Business Forward – August 2001 – Reversal of Misfortune". March 10, 2002. Archived from the original on March 10, 2002. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  23. ^ a b c Vizbarienė, Rūta. ""Inc. 5000 Europe 2017" reitinge – dešimtys Lietuvos įmonių". vz.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  24. ^ "Oto 6 najlepszych europejskich miast dla powstających biznesów. Jest i Kraków [GALERIA]". forsal.pl (in Polish). March 26, 2018. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  25. ^ "Congratulations to the SPD 59 Gold & Silver Medal Winners!". The Society of Publication Designers. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  26. ^ Saphir, Ann (2009). "Morningstar's Mansueto could be BusinessWeek bidder". Chicago Business. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  27. ^ "Fast Company's Stephanie Mehta credits her success to trusting her gut". Vogue India. April 5, 2019. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  28. ^ "From EiC to CEO: Leadership lessons from FastCo's Stephanie Mehta". What’s New in Publishing | Digital Publishing News. March 23, 2022. Archived from the original on May 9, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  29. ^ "The 8 Best Business Magazines". LiveAbout. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  30. ^ "Top 7 Fastest Growing Companies in Europe | The Enterprise World". The Enterprise World. April 28, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  31. ^ "Inc. 5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony". Seneca Women. October 17, 2018. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  32. ^ "Inc. 500|5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony". Empower Lounge. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  33. ^ "John Koten named editor of Inc magazine". Boston Business Journal. September 9, 2002. Archived from the original on May 22, 2004. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  34. ^ Development, PodBean. "Inc. Editor-in-Chief Scott Omelianuk on how 2020 has changed the magazine | Media Voices Podcast". mediavoices.podbean.com. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  35. ^ "Scott Omelianuk, Editor In Chief, Inc. To Samir "Mr. Magazine™" Husni: "We Have This Audience That Still Sees Value In Print; Still Sees Value In Being On The Cover." The Mr. Magazine™ Interview…". Mr. Magazine. March 30, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  36. ^ "Mike Hofman". Inc. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  37. ^ Roush, Chris (November 12, 2024). "Inc.'s Hofman on focusing on entrepreneurs". Talking Biz News. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  38. ^ Aspan, Maria (February 12, 2019). Startup Money Made Easy: The Inc. Guide to Every Financial Question About Starting, Running, and Growing Your Business. AMACOM. ISBN 978-1-4002-1225-5.
  39. ^ Innovates, Dallas; Seeley, David (May 9, 2023). "16 North Texas Companies Make Inc.'s 2023 Best Workplaces List". Dallas Innovates. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  40. ^ "Inc. Best in Business". incbestinbusiness.secure-platform.com. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  41. ^ Kingsley, Ryan (July 31, 2023). "Inc. Best in Business Awards: Top Companies Honored". Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  42. ^ Finegan, Jay (December 1, 1994). "Entrepreneurs of the Year. Introduction to the 1994 EOY issue that presents the judges and process behind the award". Inc. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  43. ^ "Q&A with Michael Porter in the Inner City 100 report - News - Harvard Business School". www.hbs.edu. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  44. ^ Tribune, Chicago (September 4, 1998). "SEARCH BEGINS FOR INNER-CITY SUCCESS STORIES". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  45. ^ Aggarwal, Raj; Simkins, Betty (2001). "Open book management--optimizing human capital". Business Horizons. 44 (5): 5–13. doi:10.1016/S0007-6813(01)80055-0. ISSN 0007-6813.
  46. ^ "From the Ground Up". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  47. ^ "Inc. From the Ground Up". Inc. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  48. ^ "For Starters with Alexa von Tobel". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  49. ^ "Computer Freaks". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  50. ^ "The untold history of how the internet almost didn't happen". Inc. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  51. ^ Bhasin, Kim. "INFOGRAPHIC: A Day In The Life Of An Inc 500 CEO". Business Insider. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  52. ^ "3 Big Strategies Your Startup Can Steal from Inc. 500 CEOs". Startup Grind. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  53. ^ Reyes, Juliana (October 16, 2012). "Inc. 500 list 1982–2010: Philly lags behind its suburbs in fast-growth companies [Interactive Map]". Technical.ly. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  54. ^ Birch, David L. (1979). The Job Generation Process. M.I.T. Program on Neighborhood and Regional Change.
  55. ^ Landström, Hans (2005), Landström, Hans (ed.), "David Birch", Pioneers in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Research, International Studies in Entrepreneurship, vol. 8, Boston, MA: Springer US, pp. 159–172, doi:10.1007/0-387-23633-3_6, ISBN 978-0-387-23633-9, retrieved January 13, 2025
  56. ^ "Steve Jobs: the man who changed business forever". The Sydney Morning Herald. January 24, 2011. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  57. ^ Burlingham, Bo; Gendron, George (January 25, 2021). "The Entrepreneur of the Decade. An interview with Steven Jobs, Inc.s Entrepreneur of the Decade". Inc. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  58. ^ Lowe, Janet (January 19, 2001). Bill Gates Speaks: Insight from the World's Greatest Entrepreneur. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-471-40169-8.
  59. ^ Harman, Willis (1991). Creative Work: The Constructive Role of Business in a Transforming Society. Knowledge Systems, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0-941705-19-6.
  60. ^ "2008 Inc. 500/Inc. 5000 Top 100 Lists, inc5000 Article - Inc. Article". Inc. August 21, 2008. Archived from the original on August 21, 2008. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  61. ^ Crino, Tim (August 15, 2024). "How Chobani's Founder Leveraged an Immigrant Mindset to Land His Yogurt Company on the Inc. 5000 For Hamdi Ulukaya, being an outsider translated to being an innovator". Inc. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  62. ^ "NATIONAL MAGAZINE AWARDS 2012 WINNERS ANNOUNCED". www.asme.media. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  63. ^ "2012 Best in Business Honorees". SABEW. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  64. ^ "2016 Best in Business Honorees". SABEW. Retrieved January 13, 2025.