Text Request, a Chattanooga-based software company, has been named to the Inc. 2021 Best in Business list in the Telecom category. Inc.’s Best in Business Awards honor companies that have "gone above and beyond to make a positive impact."
The list, which includes only two Tennessee businesses, can be found in the Winter issue of Inc. magazine (on newsstands Dec. 14), recognizes small- and medium-size privately held American businesses that have had an outstanding influence on their communities, their industries, the environment or society as a whole.
“Wrapping up 2021 with this award is the perfect way to conclude a year in which Text Request has earned many distinctions,” said Text Request CEO Brian Elrod.
“So far, we’ve been recognized for business growth and as a great place to work, and being named to this list shines a light on the real reason we’ve been able to receive those honors: The fact that we truly put an emphasis on purpose before profit. Because of that focus, we’ve been able to achieve so much, and I’m proud to have a team that shares that worldview. Because of it, we’re winning together.”
Officials said, "Rather than relying on quantitative criteria tied to sales or funding, Inc.’s editors reviewed the companies’ achievements over the past year and noted how they made a positive difference in the world. They then selected honorees in more than 49 different industries – from finance to software to engineering to fashion and more – and in age-based and revenue-based categories. The applicant pool was extremely competitive, with around 2,700 entries and an acceptance rate in the low single digits – a huge success for these honors in the list’s second year. Honorees for gold, silver, bronze, and general excellence across industries and categories are featured online at inc.com/best-in-business."
Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc., says, “What began for us during the pandemic as an effort to showcase companies that were helping the community has grown into a recognition of social, environmental and economic impact. The companies on this year’s list are changemakers with heart – and they’re pouring the best of their business into the people and communities around them.”
Landing on the Inc. Best in Business list is the latest 2021 recognition for Text Request. Earlier this year, the business was locally recognized as a back-to-back Best Place to Work, it debuted on the Inc. 5000 list at #335, and landed at #108 on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500, among other distinctions.