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Inc 500’s five N.C. top 200 members - tech leaders

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Note: The Skinny blog is written by Rick Smith, editor and co-founder of Local Tech Wire and business editor of WRAL.com.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Inc magazine’s annual 500/5000 list is one of the most closely watched barometers for success in business, and the latest list includes five North Carolina firms in the top 200. Interestingly, all have a high-tech connection.

A closer look at the Inc 500 list reveals that they are an interesting mix of technology delivery platform, e-commerce and marketing firms focused on driving e-business.

Looking for advice on how to grow your business? You might want to talk with these five CEOs.

Topping the five at No. 84 is Cary-based Connexion Technologies, which brings fiber to the home.

At No. 106 is Concord-based FireFold, which sells audio and visual equipment online.

Third is Rockett Interactive at 116. The Cary-based company is all about online marketing.

Next at No. 162 is TowerCo. Another Cary-based firm, TowerCo is one of the nation’s fastest developer of wireless towers.

And fifth at No. 189 is Durham-based iContact, a fast-growing provider of e-mail marketing services and technology.

Growth, growth, growth is the perquisite to crack the Inc 500 – and these five are hot.

Connexion reported to Inc that it had $12.4 million in revenue in 2008, a three-year growth rate of 1,785 percent. Among telecommunications companies in the overall Inc list, Connexion came in fourth.

FireFold reported revenues of $7.6 million, up 1,490 percent in three years. It took home fourth place in the Inc rank of retailers.

Rockett said it billed $5.9 million last year, up 1,430 percent over three years. The company ranked 13th among advertising and marketing firms overall.

TowerCo, meanwhile, said its revenue climbed to $33.3 million, an increase of 1,156 percent across three years. TowerCo came right after Connexion among telecommunications firms.

And iContact recorted $15.1 million, up 1,049 percent in the three-year time span. It ranked 23rd in advertising and marketing.

Not to be overlooked, two other Triangle-area firms cracked the top 300. USfalcon came in at No. 250 with $93.7 million in revenue, up 881 percent over three years. It is based in Morrisville. And MediaTwo Interactive, which is located in Clayton, billed $13.2 million, up 866 percent across three years.

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The Skinny

WRAL Local Tech Wire Publisher and Editor Rick Smith dishes out tidbits from the local technology sector. Read more articles…