Verified First Returns to the Inc. 5000 List for 2026

The results are in: Verified First has made the 2026 Inc. 5000 list, ranking No. 3,781 among America's fastest-growing private companies.

This recognition means something a little different to us this year. Verified First earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 for eight consecutive years, from 2017 through 2024. In 2025, we didn't make the list. This year, we're back and stronger than ever: our ranking is a jump of nearly 700 spots from our last appearance on the list, when we ranked No. 4,466 in 2024.

"We show up for our clients and partners every day. This ranking is proof that when you focus on the people you serve, growth takes care of itself." — Jim Miles, CEO

The Inc. 5000 is a big deal to us every single year, and this one feels especially good. Let's dig into what the list is, how it's scored, and what this recognition means for our clients.

Inside the Inc. 5000 List

The Inc. 5000 offers a look inside one of the most competitive corners of American business: independent, privately held companies. Names like Microsoft, Under Armour, and Patagonia all had their first national spotlight on this list before becoming household names.

For the 2026 rankings, Inc. evaluated companies based on revenue growth from 2022 to 2025 to identify the top performers. To qualify, companies must be privately held, for-profit, and fully independent.

We don't take this for granted. Landing back on the list after an eight-year run and climbing nearly 700 spots higher than our last ranking reflects a renewed period of investment in our clients, our partners, and our people.

How Verified First Made the Cut

Verified First earned its spot on the 2026 Inc. 5000 for the same reasons we always have: we put clients first, and we back that up with technology and compliance expertise that actually holds up under scrutiny.

Our team of compliance, legal, and PBSA-certified experts helps clients stay compliant while managing risk, no matter how complex their screening needs get.

But what really sets Verified First apart isn't just what we do — it's how we do it. We integrate with 150+ HR and ATS platforms, so clients never have to leave the systems they already use. Our patented technology cuts turnaround times, eliminates duplicate data entry, and makes background screening feel like a natural part of the hiring process — not a separate step bolted onto it.

To Our Clients

Thank you for choosing Verified First — and for sticking with us long enough to make ten straight years of Inc. 5000 recognition possible. This kind of growth doesn't happen without the clients and partners who trust us with something as important as their hiring process.

We're not slowing down. Here's to the next ten years.

Not a Verified First client yet? Let's change that.