Charleston Software Firm SPARC High on Inc.'s List of High-Growth Businesses

Charleston-based technology firm SPARC has been ranked No. 15 on Inc. magazine's annual ranking of the 5,000 fastest-growing private U.S. companies.

The software firm reported three-year revenue growth of nearly 13,000 percent, to $21 million in 2012 from $163,000 in 2009.

The company has 160 employees, up from five staffers three years ago.

SPARC develops software and mobile applications for the government and commercial customers. It specialties include health and benefits systems, intelligence security, employee recognition and green energy management.

"To have SPARC earn the 15th position on the Inc 500 is a major accomplishment for our team, and reinforces our model of people-focused innovation," CEO Eric Bowman said in statement. "To be recognized in the top tier of the Inc. 500 in our first year of eligibility reflects the effort, value, and energy the SPARC team brings to our customers every day."

Late last year the firm announced plans to grow its workforce to 500 employees by the end of 2016. It's also adding more office space on its 14-acre campus on Clements Ferry Road, near Wando.

Other Charleston-area tech firms on the newly released Inc. 5,000 list include:

• Omatic Software, which works closely with Daniel Island software giant Blackbaud, is No, 190
• BoomTown, a real estate software businessm is No. 433; and
• Blue Acorn, which helps retailers and brands grow their online commerce sales by using data, is No. 476.

Several other local companies are further down the Inc. list.