We combined those scores with a score based on each company's growth rate. They don't teach you in business school how to manage triple-digit revenue growth. That is a huge management challenge. These firms need giant amounts of cash to get off the ground and stay there. All of the firms on our list are involved with the Internet, history's greatest market opportunity.
Rapid growth attracts competition, which tends to impede further growth.
Exceptions occur when companies create barriers to entry, such as established brand names or superior products. These barriers traditionally take years to erect, but not for these firms. That brings up another question about ramp. These 20 companies aren't yet in a position to finance their growth from internal sources, i.e., profits. Until the 20 make money, their growth will depend largely on Wall Street's willingness to finance them.