Key Takeaways
- Ridge IT Cyber secured No. 1,901 on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list, marking its fourth consecutive appearance and reflecting 181% three‑year revenue growth.
- The company also earned a spot on the Inc. Regionals: Southeast list for the third year in a row, based on 93% two‑year growth.
- CEO and co‑founder Chad Koslow was named a 2026 finalist in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year® Awards (Florida region).
- Ridge IT Cyber remains privately held, profitable, and free of venture‑capital or private‑equity funding, having grown organically one client at a time.
- Headquartered in Tampa, Florida since 2023, the firm expanded from a three‑person office to nearly 40 employees and plans to add ~20 more positions in 2026.
- The company protects over 2.5 million users across 700+ organizations in 160 countries and has completed more than 1,500 Zero Trust implementations.
Announcement of Inc. 5000 Recognition
Ridge IT Cyber is pleased to announce that it has been named to the 2026 Inc. 5000, the annual ranking of America’s fastest‑growing private companies. The firm placed at No. 1,901, a result of three‑year revenue growth of 181% from 2022 through 2025. This marks the fourth consecutive year Ridge IT Cyber has appeared on the list, underscoring a pattern of sustained expansion. The achievement follows earlier placements of No. 281 in 2023, No. 452 in 2024, and No. 1,354 in 2025, and highlights the company’s standing as the highest‑ranked managed security service provider on the Inc. 5000 in both 2023 and 2024.
Leadership Perspective on Growth Discipline
CEO and co‑founder Chad Koslow commented on the recognition, stating, “Four years in a row on the Inc. 5000 says something about how we’ve chosen to build this company. We’ve grown without outside capital, one client relationship at a time, and that discipline is exactly what lets us keep investing in the technology and people our clients depend on.” Koslow’s remarks emphasize the firm’s commitment to organic growth, prudent reinvestment, and a client‑centric approach that has enabled steady scaling while maintaining financial independence.
Historical Roots and Relocation to Tampa
Founded in Washington, D.C., in 2014, Ridge IT Cyber relocated its headquarters to the Tampa Bay area in 2023. The move was strategic, positioning the company nearer to a expanding talent pool of cybersecurity professionals and establishing a foundation for local hiring initiatives. What began as a modest three‑person office in Tampa has blossomed into a workforce of nearly 40 employees within just two years, demonstrating the effectiveness of the relocation in attracting and retaining skilled staff.
Employee Expansion and Future Hiring Plans
The Tampa‑based team’s rapid growth reflects Ridge IT Cyber’s broader expansion trajectory. The company currently employs close to 40 professionals in the region and anticipates adding approximately 20 more positions throughout 2026. This planned increase aligns with the firm’s goal to deepen its service capabilities, support new client engagements, and continue its reputation for delivering high‑quality managed detection and response, Zero Trust architecture, and compliance‑as‑a‑service solutions.
Financial Independence and Prior Inc. 5000 Performance
Throughout its growth, Ridge IT Cyber has remained profitable and independently owned, having never accepted venture‑capital or private‑equity investment. This financial autonomy has allowed the firm to maintain control over its strategic direction and reinvest earnings directly into technology upgrades and talent development. The company’s consistent Inc. 5000 placements—No. 281 (2023), No. 452 (2024), No. 1,354 (2025), and now No. 1,901 (2026)—illustrate a steady upward trajectory despite shifting market conditions.
Recognition on the Inc. Regionals: Southeast List
In addition to the national Inc. 5000 honor, Ridge IT Cyber secured a place on the Inc. Regionals: Southeast list for the third consecutive year. The firm ranked No. 90 in 2026, based on two‑year revenue growth of 93%, following prior placements of No. 30 in 2024 and No. 49 in 2025. This regional accolade highlights the company’s strong performance within the Southeastern United States, reinforcing its relevance to local businesses and government entities seeking robust cybersecurity partnerships.
EY Entrepreneur of the Year® Awards Finalist
Chad Koslow’s leadership was further acknowledged when he was selected as a 2026 finalist in the Florida region of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year® Awards. The regional program, which encompasses Florida and Puerto Rico, identifies business leaders who demonstrate innovation, financial performance, and a commitment to community impact. Koslow’s selection reflects the strategic vision and operational excellence that have driven Ridge IT Cyber’s rapid growth and industry reputation.
Inc. 5000 Methodology and Broader Context
Companies on the 2026 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2022 through 2025. This year’s honorees recorded a median three‑year growth rate of 130% and collectively contributed more than 627,000 jobs to the U.S. economy. The firms will be celebrated at the Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala, scheduled for October 14–16, 2026, in Dallas. Ridge IT Cyber’s inclusion places it among a distinguished cohort of high‑growth private enterprises that are shaping the nation’s economic landscape.
Company Overview and Service Portfolio
Ridge IT Cyber is an Inc. 5000‑listed cybersecurity firm that provides managed detection and response, Zero Trust architecture, and compliance‑as‑a‑service to both commercial and government clients. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, with origins in Washington, D.C., the company reports protecting more than 2.5 million users across over 700 organizations spanning 160 countries. To date, Ridge IT Cyber has completed more than 1,500 Zero Trust implementations, underscoring its expertise in delivering modern, resilient security frameworks. The firm continues to operate without venture‑capital or private‑equity backing, relying instead on organic revenue growth and client‑driven reinvestment.
Conclusion and Forward Outlook
Ridge IT Cyber’s fourth straight appearance on the Inc. 5000, combined with regional recognitions and leadership accolades, signals a period of robust, sustainable expansion. The company’s focus on organic growth, strategic talent acquisition in Tampa, and continuous investment in cutting‑edge cybersecurity technologies positions it well to meet evolving client demands. As it prepares to add roughly 20 new positions in 2026 and anticipates further participation in industry events such as the Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala, Ridge IT Cyber appears poised to maintain its trajectory as a trusted, high‑performing partner in the cybersecurity arena.