REI Systems Inc. 2002 Revenue: $9.3 million Growth (1998-2002): 556% No. 324 Founded: 1989 Employees: 106

REI has turned its size into a benefit by getting 8(a) certification as a small, disadvantage business from the Small Business Administration. That helped the company, which develops online systems to replace paper processes, win contracts with federal customers like NASA, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Gorgeous Mosaic: REI's employees come from 22 nations, including India, China, Nigeria, Somalia, and Japan. At Thanksgiving, a banquet is put on featuring the cuisine of every country represented by staff.

Mad About Metrics: REI has developed internal software modules to monitor everybody's performance on an almost day-to-day basis.