6. BenefitFocus
What it does: Provides employers, insurance carriers, consumers, and brokers with cloud-based software to shop, enroll, manage, and exchange benefits information. Its clients include small, medium, and large employers from all industries, as well as the nation’s top insurance companies.
Factoid: Benefitfocus became a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ Stock Market in September 2013.
Leadership: Shawn Jenkins, co-founder, president, and CEO; and Mason R. Holland Jr., co-founder and executive chairman of the board
Website: www.benefitfocus.com
Location: Daniel Island sEmployees: 1,000-plus
Revenue: $104.8 million (2013)
Years in business: 15
7. Blackbaud
What it does: Provides software and services for nonprofits and education communities, with products focusing on fundraising, prospect research, fund accounting, school administration, ticketing, website management, analytics, and more.
Factoid: In 2014, Blackbaud acquired New Hampshire software firm WhippleHill Communications for $35 million, followed several months later by the acquisition of New York technology business MicroEdge, LLC for $160 million. Since going public in 2004, Blackbaud has made acquisitions totaling more than $455 million.
Leadership: Mike Gianoni, president and CEO
Website: www.blackbaud.com
Location: Headquartered on Daniel Island, with operations throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Ireland, and the United Kingdom
Employees: 2,800
Revenue: $503.8 million (2013)
Years in business: 34
8. Blue Acorn
What it does: A premium e-commerce agency dedicated to helping retailers and brands achieve revenue growth through data-driven design, development, and optimization
Factoid: Blue Acorn delivers innovative e-commerce solutions to clients such as Rebecca Minkoff, Everlast, Ticketmaster, and VIETRI.
Leadership: Kevin Eichelberger, CEO
Website: www.blueacorn.com
Employees: 82 (47 new hires in 2014)
Revenue: $6.5 million (2014)
Years in business: 8
Location: Charleston
9. BoomTown
What it does: A web-based software company that offers an online sales and marketing system for real estate professionals. The system includes a customized real estate website integrated with local MLS data, personalized online advertising and digital marketing services, a dedicated “Client Success Manager,” and a cutting-edge CRM (Customer Relationship Management system) with marketing automation.
Factoid: To date, the company has generated nearly 10 million potential customers for its clients.
Leadership: Grier Allen, founder and CEO
Website: www.boomtownroi.com
Location: Charleston
Employees: 170
Revenue: $8.1 million (2012)
Years in business: 9
10. CodeLynx LLC
What it does: Provides software engineering and electronic security system integration services
Factoid: The company recently debuted its Barco Video Wall, a cost-effective alternative to the traditional white board for use everywhere from conference rooms to command centers.
Leadership: Jeff Heatley, CEO
Website: www.codelynx.com
Location: North Charleston
Employees: 48
Revenue: $4.5 million (2013)
Years in business: 12
11. eGroup
What it does: Provides innovative cloud, application, and end-user computing services to businesses across the Southeast
Factoid: eGroup has been named an inaugural CRN Triple Crown Award winner. The newly introduced award recognizes solution-providing organizations that have demonstrated a rare combination of strength, growth, and technical expertise by earning spots on the 2014 Solution Provider 500, Fast Growth 150, and Tech Elite 250 lists.
Leadership: Mike Carter, founder and principal
Website: www. egroup-us.com
Location: Mount Pleasant
Employees: 47
Revenue: $21.7 million (2013)
Years in business: 18
12. ISHPI Information Technologies
What it does: Provides expertise in information operations, cyber-security, and logistics support services for combat systems and intelligence or surveillance operations
Factoid: In 2014, ISHPI Information Technologies, Inc. (DBA ISHPI) was named the 10th best-performing large company in South Carolina by SC BIZ News and CertusBank at the annual “Roaring Twenties Awards” ceremony—the firm’s third consecutive year making the list that distinguishes the state’s best-performing companies (20 large companies and 20 small), based on monetary and percentage increases in revenue from the prior two years.
Leadership: Earl D. Bowers, president and chief strategy officer
Website: www.ishpi.net
Location: Mount Pleasant
Employees: 175
Revenue: $22.8 million (2013)
Years in business: 9
13. Omatic Software
What it does: A Microsoft-certified partner and a Blackbaud technology partner that helps nonprofit organizations integrate, extend, and optimize their software and processes
Factoid: For the last three years, Omatic has earned a spot on the Inc. 500|5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies—No. 1,349 in 2014.
Leadership: Jeff Montgomery, founder and managing partner
Website: omaticsoftware.com
Location: North Charleston
Employees: 36
Revenue: $4.2 million (2013)
Years in business: 13
14. PeopleMatter
What it does: A cloud-based workforce management system designed to fit the specific needs of service-industry brands
Factoid: PeopleMatter experienced 460-plus percent year-over-year growth in clients from 2013 to 2014 and is up to 3.3 million users.
Leadership: Nate DaPore, president and CEO
Website: www.peoplematter.com
Location: Charleston
Employees: 135
Revenue: N/A
Years in Business: 5
15. PhishLabs
What it does: Provides cyber-crime protection and intelligence services that reduce the risk of phishing, malware, and other cyber attacks. It offers a fixed-price subscription model and partners with businesses to decrease attacks, reduce online fraud, and prevent the loss of customer trust.
Factoid: In 2014, PhishLabs grabbed headlines after it intercepted a malicious e-mail scam targeting high-end executives of medium and large companies demanding payment of outstanding invoices.
Leadership: John LaCour, founder and CEO
Website: www.phishlabs.com
Location: Charleston
Employees: 50
Revenue: N/A
Years in business: 7
16. PureCars
What it does:
A web-based digital marketing company that uses big data to allow automotive dealers to provide more relevant information to consumers and improve the car-buying experience
Factoid: The company recently announced the launch of brand-customized “Value Intelligence” assets for Hyundai certified pre-owned vehicles. Value Intelligence includes PureCars’ Value Reports, SmartComments, and SmartResponse AutoResponder.
Leadership: Jeremy Anspach, CEO and co-founder
Website: www.purecars.com
Location: Charleston
Employees: 82
Revenue: $8.7 million (2013)
Years in business: 8
17. SmartLinx Solutions
What it does: Provides staff scheduling, timekeeping, payroll, and labor-management services for local counties, senior and long-term care facilities, medical centers, hospitals, and others in 48 states. Its suite of software applications, WorkLinx™, helps organizations manage employee schedule optimization, time and attendance, human resources, payroll, training and certification management, and overall workforce management business analytics. The company also offers mobile workforce management solutions and time clocks that enable employees to view workforce information and to punch in and out of work.
Factoid: In its North Charleston facility, SmartLinx Solutions manufactures thousands of robust, highly sophisticated time clocks that are used in organizations and businesses across the U.S.
Leadership: Alex Zeif, vice president of hardware, based in North Charleston; and Marina Aslanyan, CEO, based in New Jersey
Website: www.smartlinxsolutions.com
Location: North Charleston
Employees: 55, 30 of whom are located in North Charleston
Revenue: $6.2 million (2013) sYears in Business: 15
18. SPARC
What it does: Delivers custom software development services for the government and commercial sectors, with a focus on health-care IT systems
Factoid: SPARC’s largest project is a VA initiative to reduce the benefits claims backlog for veterans, and its impact was referenced in President Obama’s 2015 State of the Union Address. This project is going into its fourth year, and the software is used by more than 16,000 people every day.
Leadership: Marc Murphy, CEO
Website: www.sparcedge.com
Location: Charleston
Employees: 180
Revenue: $20.4 million (2013)
Years in business: 6
