Company News & Events
Apr 25
2018 Winners of the 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies Announced by Women Presidents’ Organization
Claudia Mirza of Akorbi Recognized at 11th Annual Awards Ceremony Held in Los Angeles
Plano, Texas – May 30, 2018 – The Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO) has announced the 11th annual ranking of the 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies during the WPO Annual Conference held this year in Los Angeles. The companies featured on this year’s 50 Fastest list include a variety of industries — such as technology, finance, retail and entrepreneurial ventures. With aggregate revenues of $8.3 billion, this number is up $1 billion from last year’s ranking.
Claudia Mirza, CEO and Co-founder of Akorbi based in Plano, Texas has been ranked 13th among this year’s WPO 50 Fastest-Growing list.
Mrs. Mirza has grown Akorbi since 2003 to now be the 3rd fastest-growing language service provider in the world. What started as a small document translation business has now become a group of six companies providing solutions for the global economy including telephonic and video interpretation technologies, multilingual and technical staffing, multilingual contact centers, in-person interpretation, learning services and localization. Claudia’s vision and leadership has driven Akorbi to substantial growth, earning a spot on WPO’s 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies for the past 3 consecutive years.
“I am honored by this award and to be a member of this amazing organization that works hard to empower female leaders. I am blessed to be surrounded by passionate, industry experts in my Akorbi family and I know without them, Akorbi would not be the company it is today” said Claudia.
“Since 2007, the WPO launched the listing of the 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies to focus much-needed attention on the vital role that women-owned/led companies have in boosting the economy and enhancing overall job growth,” notes WPO President and Founder Dr. Marsha Firestone. “We are proud that Claudia is among the unique women business leaders facing challenges yet rising to accelerate the growth of her business in today’s consistently growing economic landscape.”
All eligible companies were ranked according to a sales growth formula, combining percentage and absolute growth. To qualify for the ranking, businesses are required to be privately-held, woman-owned/led companies and have reached annual revenue of at least $500,000 as of January 1, 2013. Applicants are not required to be WPO members.
Additional facts about the 2018 WPO 50 Fastest:
- Average age of women-owner/leader is 51; with half of the winners in their 30’s and 40’s
- Aggregate revenue is $8.3 billion, up $1 billion from last year
- Average 2017 revenue was $165.3 million
- Average number of employees on first day: 13; projected average for 2018: 799
- Funding sources at company start:
- 70% with their own funds
- 12% with funds from friends and family
- 4% with a bank loan
- 8% with a line of credit
- 4% with a credit card
- 4% with private investors/angels
About the Women Presidents’ Organization
The WPO is the premier peer advisory organization connecting women who own multi-million dollar companies. In monthly meetings across six continents, chapters of 20 women presidents from diverse industries invest time and energy in themselves and their businesses to drive their corporations to the next level. Local WPO chapters are coordinated by a professional facilitator and meet monthly to share business expertise and experience in a confidential setting. For more information, contact 212-688-4114 or visit www.womenpresidentsorg.com. Follow the WPO on Twitter @womenpresidents and Facebook @TheWPO.
About Akorbi
Akorbi is a U.S.-based company that provides enterprise solutions that empower companies to achieve success in the global economy. We help companies connect with employees, vendors and customers in over 170 languages 24×7, in any modality, from any location. Our customizable, enterprise solutions include: technical and multilingual staffing, learning services, multilingual contact centers, video remote solutions, translation/localization and in-person interpreting services. The company holds several certifications including ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485:2016, and M/WBE Certification. Akorbi was recently named the 12th largest language service provider (LSP) in the US by global market research and international consulting company, Nimdzi Insights LLC. For more information, visit www.akorbi.com or call 1.877.4.AKORBI.
