ASU Alumni Association seeks applications for prestigious business awards program

The ASU Alumni Association now is accepting applications through Nov. 30 for Sun Devil 100, an annual awards program that recognizes the fastest-growing ASU alum-owned or -led businesses and organizations annually. 

Sun Devil 100 honors companies of all sizes, from individual business owners to large corporations, in dozens of industries, including architecture, construction, education, food and beverage, legal services, nonprofit, technology and transportation. Previous honorees include Pocket Your Dollars, Willmeng Construction, Brooks Winery, Catholic Charities Community Services Inc., Freestar and Hint Inc.

Now in its eighth year, the Alumni Association is adapting the program’s recognition model to honor the fastest-growing businesses in three financial tiers.

“We are excited to advance Sun Devil 100 by adding financial tiers and to celebrate businesses at different stages of growth,” said Christine Wilkinson, president and CEO of the ASU Alumni Association. “The addition of tiers gives honorees the ability to be ranked in similar revenue categories, recognizing more alumni entrepreneurs who exemplify success, entrepreneurial spirit and innovation.”

To be considered for Sun Devil 100, companies must be Sun Devil-owned or -led, have been in business for at least three years, have shown revenues of more than $250,000 in a calendar year and operate in a manner consistent with the ASU Charter. Eligible companies will be ranked by their percentage increase in gross sales and revenue for 2018, 2019 and 2020. Companies will be placed into one of three financial tiers based on their revenues from 2020. The tiers are:

• Revenues of $250,000-$1.999 million.
• Revenues of $2 million-$9.999 million.
• Revenues of $10 million-plus.

All qualifying companies will be inducted into the Sun Devil 100 Class of 2022, and the top fastest-growing companies in each of the three tiers will be specially recognized at the awards ceremony. Sun Devil 100 honorees become part of a network for ASU alumni entrepreneurs and business leaders, receive recognition in a special section of the Phoenix Business Journal and serve as an inspiration for future alumni entrepreneurs.   

The Sun Devil 100 Class of 2021 collectively generated $6.67 billion in total revenue, employed more than 8,400 people, had an average of 20.2 years in business and has locations in 11 states. This class had a record-breaking 132 Sun Devil inductees who hold degrees from 16 schools and colleges within ASU. 

Apply today for the Class of 2022. Submissions will be accepted through Nov. 30.