Stratus Financial is proudly recognized as the Stratus Financial fastest growing private company in Orange County, with an incredible 506% growth over two years. By offering vital financing for student pilots pursuing commercial flight training, Stratus is fueling the future of aviation while driving significant economic growth in the region.
Source: Orange County Business Journal
Fastest Growing Private Companies Boost Sales 40%
The Business Journal’s annual list of fast-growing locally based private companies shows a variety of industries that companies say are helping drive sales.
Rancho Santa Margarita-based US Alliance Group, a developer of payment technology, says it has gained strong momentum in the region’s competitive landscape.
“The mix of industries, from food and beverage, hospitality, and retail, to healthcare and technology, creates a steady demand for innovative, secure, and adaptable payment processing solutions,” the company said. “Our B2B solutions are designed to be attainable for businesses of every size, ensuring they can process payments reliably without sacrificing profitability.”
Revenue at US Alliance, ranked No. 7 in the large firm category, jumped 32% over the last two years to $151 million as of June 30.
Large firms have revenues of over $90 million annually.
Santa Ana-based Foss General Contractors, ranked No. 6 in the small firm category, generated $6.6 million in revenue for the 12 months ended June 30, marking a 33% increase in the last two years. Small firms have annual revenue below $10.1 million.
The general contractor said its growth stems from doing business in Orange County, which offers a unique balance of opportunity and stability.
“Its diverse economy spanning technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and real estate creates a steady demand for construction and development,” President Kyle Andersen said.
Foss is looking to scale and surpass $10 million in revenue, joining the midsize classification, in the next two to three years.
The Phillips Group, based in Anaheim with 12-month revenue of $2.1 million, said that the region’s private sector continues to evolve, driven by industries such as healthcare and technology. The accounting and advisory firm is seeing a lot of recent demand from healthcare professionals.
“Many providers are expanding, relocating, or planning for succession, which creates a growing need for strategic financial guidance,” the company said.
This year’s fastest-growing private company in the large category, CBC Bancorp, is currently looking to recreate a client base in the Bay Area similar to the one the firm has established here in Southern California.
“It’s home to a diverse mix of industries, which creates a dynamic business environment with opportunities for growth at every level,” Chairman and CEO Ash Patel said.
CBC, parent company of Irvine’s Commercial Bank of California, reported 12-month revenue of $202 million ended June 30—a 79% jump from $113 million generated in 2023.
The bank acquired Community Bank of the Bay in late 2024, which led the company to “significantly expand our footprint in Northern California and deepen our relationships in key markets,” Patel said.
Movers and Newcomers
In total, the list of 44 private companies in Orange County generated $13.2 billion in 12-month revenue ended June 30, up 40% from two years ago.
The firms experiencing the largest two-year growth—Stratus Financial LLC, Kahana & Feld LLP and Open Gym Premier—are all in the midsize category. Midsize firms have annual revenue between $10.1 million and $90 million.
Stratus, a Newport Beach-based provider of financing for student pilots seeking commercial flight training, grew 506% over the two-year period, ranking it No. 1 in the midsize category—the same ranking it had last year but in the small firm category. It reported 12-month revenue as of June 30 of $14 million—sixfold growth compared to 2023.
Irvine-based law firm Kahana & Feld more than tripled 12-month revenue to nearly $47 million. Open Gym Premier captured a 108% increase in revenue to $25 million compared to two years ago.
IT firm Method Technologies Inc. in Cypress also made its way to the midsize category by generating more than $10 million in revenue, growing 14% in the last two years.
A notable newcomer to the list this year includes R&D Medical Products in the midsize category. One of its hydrogel-based skin care products called a chest seal dressing caught the attention of the military in the last two years.
“We developed a product to treat torso injuries for the military,” said CEO David Sheraton, adding that it has been “the most significant factor” in R&D Medical’s growth due to the immediate demand from recent international conflicts.
Costa Mesa-based Avanti Restaurant Solutions, ranked No. 2 in the largest firm category, with almost $100 million in revenue for 12-months ended June 30. That 73% two-year growth pushed them into the largest group for the first time, along with Trace3 Inc., which reported $2.4 billion in revenue.
Research Director Desmond Celo contributed to this report.