From software to pet boarding to seafood, local startups have been recognized by Inc. Magazine as some of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.

The 2021 Inc. 5000 list includes Catalyst Clinical Research, Nymble Agency, Pawville and Vantaca from Wilmington; Proforma Promographix from Carolina Beach; and Topsail Steamer from Surf City.

Leading the local pack is Nymble Agency ranking as No. 472. The advertising and marketing firm was founded by Dan Hudgins in 2016 and “delivers innovative digital market solutions quickly and cost-efficiently,” according to Inc.

The company, which includes clients such as Corona Extra, Pepsi and Taco Bell, has had a 1,022% growth over three years, according to Inc. Nymble states that it has offices both in Orange County, California, and coastal North Carolina, with its headquarters in Wilmington.

Topsail Steamer is listed at No. 594 on the list with an 808% three-year growth. The pre-made, steam-at-home seafood bucket company was started by Danielle Mahon in 2017. The company was also recognized this month as the Entrepreneur of the Year by the 2021 Coastal Entrepreneur Awards.

The company has six locations, in North Carolina, New Jersey and Delaware, and a seventh opening in Florida. It also delivers seafood buckets nationwide through its partnership with Goldbelly, a food delivery service.

Next on the list is software company Vantaca, which ranked as No. 679. The company has developed a software solution for homeowner association management companies including customized workflows and reports, communication service and a banking portal.

Vantaca was started by Community Association Management Services’ David Sweyer and is led by CEO Ben Currin.

"We are excited and honored to be named to this list of such remarkable and innovative companies. Our growth is the result of closely listening to our customers and delivering a next-generation solution allowing them to fully embrace digital transformation to fuel their own growth," Currin said in a news release. "This award is a reflection of our client's trust in Vantaca's Community Operating System to run their day-to-day operations."

The company has about 100 employees and has 130 organizations on its platform, representing 2 million individual homes.

Catalyst Clinical Research, which was also included in the 2020 Inc. 5000 list, ranked higher this year at No. 934. The clinical research organization was involved in several COVID-19 and oncology studies. Led by Nick Dyer, the company has experienced a 514% growth in the past three years, according to Inc.

At No. 4,530, Pawville is a local provider of pet services including boarding, grooming and more. The company has six locations in North Carolina and one in Florida and was started by the husband-and-wife team Phil and Amanda Miller. Over the past three years, the company has experienced 58% growth.

In Carolina Beach, Proforma PromoGraphix provides commercial printing services, promotional products, business documents and e-commerce solutions. Founded in 1996 by Kevin Dovel, the company was on the 2009 list. This year, the company ranked at No. 4,900 and had a 43% three-year growth.

Overall, North Carolina companies listed in Inc. 5000 amounted to $4.3 billion in total revenue and 12,705 jobs added. There were 12 companies listed that were newly founded and 73 repeat honorees.

Companies selected on the list have to submit an application and are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2017 to 2020.