135% Three-Year Revenue Growth Places Rochester Firm Among Nation’s Fastest-Growing Companies and #7 in the Rochester Area
Rochester, NY, August 11, 2026 – Cause + Effect Strategy today announced it has been ranked No. 2,450 on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list, the annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The company was named No. 7 of Rochester-based companies, No. 90 in the “AI + Data” category, and No. 186 in New York State. The list is the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s most successful independent and entrepreneurial businesses, recognizing companies that have achieved remarkable growth while driving innovation, creating jobs, and shaping the future of the economy. Past honorees include companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Chobani, Oracle, and Patagonia.
“When we started CES, the goal was to build a company that could help organizations make better decisions with their data, not simply give them more of it. To now be ranked among the fastest-growing companies in the country, seventh here in Rochester and in the top 100 nationally for AI and Data, is something our entire team can be proud of. It tells me that the problems we set out to solve are becoming even more important to the organizations we serve.” John Loury – President Cause + Effect Strategy
This year’s Inc. 5000 recognizes a new class of companies redefining what growth looks like. From AI and advanced manufacturing to healthcare, consumer products, and professional services, these businesses are expanding their impact, creating jobs and proving that entrepreneurial ambition continues to fuel the U.S. economy. Among the 5,000 companies on the list, the median three-year revenue growth rate was 130%, and those companies have collectively added more than 627,208 jobs to the U.S. economy over the past three years.
For the full Inc. 5000 list, honoree company profiles, and a searchable database by industry and location, please visit: www.inc.com/inc5000.
“Every company on the Inc. 5000 has a story of perseverance, smart decision making, and a refusal to sit still,” says Mike Hofman, editor-in-chief of Inc. “Their growth reflects more than strong financial performance–it reflects creativity, resilience, and the customer focus required to build companies that make a lasting impact. We congratulate all honorees on this significant achievement.”
Inc. will celebrate the honorees at the 2026 Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala, taking place October 14–16 in Dallas, Texas and the top 500 will be listed in the Fall issue of Inc. Magazine. Tickets are on sale now.
Inc. 5000 List Methodology
Companies on the 2026 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2022 to 2025. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2022. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2025. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2022 is $100,000; the minimum for 2025 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons.
About Cause + Effect Strategy
Cause + Effect Strategy (CES) is a strategic integrator and services firm that helps organizations bridge the gap between data, AI technology, and real business outcomes. CES focuses on the critical layers that make AI effective inside organizations: data readiness, analytics infrastructure, governance, and adoption. The firm designs and implements data ecosystems that ensure the quality, accessibility, and context of information, all elements essential for AI tools to deliver reliable insights. Learn more at https://causeandeffectstrategy.com/.
About Inc.
Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com.