Going on 37 years, the ColoradoBiz Top Company Awards are older than some of the founders whose businesses are now vying for the award.

It’s a distinction that hasn’t gotten any easier to win since the Top Company program was introduced in 1987 – nor any easier to judge.

In the end, 45 companies hailing from 18 Colorado cities were honored as either winners or finalists in 14 industries, plus the Startup category for companies five years old or less.

All the companies that put themselves out there and entered the competitive arena deserve credit for helping to keep Top Company the coveted honor it’s been for decades.

WINNER

E2 Optics LLC | Englewood

E2 Optics is a woman-owned, low-voltage IT solutions integrator specializing in data centers, structured cabling, audio visual and wireless/DAS solutions.

The company has invested heavily in opening four nationally certified BICSI Authorized Training Facilities (ATFs) and Authorized Design Training Providers (ADTPs) across the United States. The facilities are a direct investment in E2 Optics’ employees and their careers and a visible commitment to the communities the company works in.

The company expects to double its revenue to $300 million this year and grow significantly over the next five years. It anticipates future growth will come from new market development and supporting the aggressive growth plans of existing clients, both domestically and abroad. The company has added 325 employees over the past 12 months.

Being a woman-owned business in a predominately male-driven industry has been the biggest challenge E2 Optics has faced. It made everything from securing bank funding to establishing relationships with manufacturers and partners more difficult, but E2 held onto its core values and broke through the barriers to become an industry leader.

The company gives back to the community through its Safely Home initiative that benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital It also conducts an annual food drive to support the Denver Rescue Mission, and it hosts a customer appreciation golf tournament to raise money for charity.

FINALISTS

Epoch Concepts | Littleton

Epoch Concepts supplies IT solutions and services to the U.S. government, businesses and systems integrators. From storage and infrastructure to cybersecurity, cloud and hyperconverged infrastructure solutions, the company designs, sources and integrates solutions that empower its customers to redefine what they do and how they do it.

This year, the company launched a project to upgrade its enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to incorporate its business processes from end to end. The upgrade is expected to streamline Epoch Concepts’ processes, give management greater visibility into a variety of key performance indicators and lay the foundation for business-to-business integration with its key partners.

Epoch Concepts strives to understand its customers’ objectives and ensure they are successful. It’s investing back into the company to ensure it can provide the same level of service to all of its customers and partners.

The veteran-owned company is committed to giving back to the community. Last year, it partnered with the Mountain Post Toy Drive at Fort Carson, a program that benefits the children of active-duty Army service members stationed in Colorado. It also sponsored the 2023 National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Aspen. The program provides nearly 400 disabled veterans with training and rehabilitation each year.

DigeTekS LLC | Firestone

DigeTekS is a security-focused IT provider serving financial institutions, hospitals and local government in cities along Colorado’s Front Range.

The company, which has a team of 19 IT consultants, sets the bar for compliance and helping its clients pass independent audits.

When the world shifted to working from home, DigeTekS was equipped to support its clients even before closing its physical office, making the transition smooth for both the company’s team and its customers. The challenge has been maintaining team camaraderie and preserving company culture. As the company continues to grow, the DigeTekS team is hyper-focused on collaboration and commitment to providing superior service to clients regardless of where they are working from.

DigeTekS plans to expand into new regions and states while strengthening its presence where it currently operates. Its commitment to cybersecurity extends beyond its clients to include friends, neighbors and local businesses. It achieves this through focused education initiatives. As the company grows, it will create career opportunities for many tech-savvy people, fostering the next generation of IT professionals.

The company culture is rooted in community involvement and support. DigeTekS sponsors the arts in Denver and participates in 5Ks along the Front Range, including the Rocky Mountain Adventure Series. It also supports local schools and youth groups and is a member of various chambers of commerce.