20 Dallas-Fort Worth Companies Score Spots on Texas A&M's Aggie 100

Twenty Dallas-Fort Worth companies founded or led by Texas A&M graduates scored spots on this year's Aggie 100, the college's annual ranking of fastest-growing businesses.Topping the list from North Texas is Dallas-based Modern Message, a technology company co-founded by 2004 A&M graduate Michael Ivey. The software firm, which developed a digital rewards platform for apartment residents, reported a three-year growth rate of 79 percent.Modern Message, which ranked 738th on this year's Inc. 5000 list with 2016 revenue of $2.7 million, works with about 2,500 apartment communities in the U.S. and Canada. Residents earn points that can be redeemed for prizes by creating social media content about their apartment community, taking online polls or surveys, paying rent or renewing their lease.The company picked up $2 million in growth capital in June from venture capital fund AXA Strategic Ventures. It said it expects revenue to grow to $4 million to $5 million this year.The McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship, part of the college's Mays Business School, announced its 13th annual ranking at a ceremony Friday night at Texas A&M's Kyle Field. To be considered for the Aggie 100, companies must meet specific revenue criteria and operate "in a manner consistent with the Aggie Code of Honor," according to the university.The top-ranked company this year is Lonquist Field Service Canada ULC, an oil and gas industry services firm with offices in Calgary, Austin, Houston, Denver and Wichita. Founded by 1987 graduate Richard R. Lonquist, the company posted a three-year growth rate of 223 percent.Here is this year's full ranking. Companies are located in Texas unless otherwise noted.  Continue reading...