Rochester's Fastest-Growing Companies Generate $5.8B in Revenue, Support More Than 24,000 Jobs

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester region's fastest-growing privately held companies generated more than $5.8 billion in combined annual revenue and employed more than 24,000 people, demonstrating the economic impact of businesses driving growth across Upstate New York.

The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 40th annual Top 100 Awards on Nov. 5 at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center, recognizing the region's fastest-growing privately owned businesses.

More than 1,800 business and community leaders attended the celebration, which recognized companies spanning construction, technology, manufacturing, professional services, health care and consumer products.

Of the more than 24,000 employees working for the recognized companies, over 14,000 are based in the Greater Rochester region.

WeTheHobby Leads the 2026 Rankings

Rochester-based WeTheHobby, a sports collectibles business, earned the No. 1 ranking for 2026.

The company operates across sports card retail, resale, live card breaking, entertainment and wholesale distribution, reflecting the growth of businesses serving specialized consumer markets.

Two companies in construction and infrastructure rounded out the top three:

WeTheHobby — Sports collectibles, retail and entertainment.
Stellar Roofing — Residential and commercial roofing services.
O'Connell Electric Company — Electrical contracting and utility infrastructure.

The top three represent different segments of the regional economy, from consumer-driven digital commerce to construction and infrastructure services.

$5.8 Billion in Revenue Highlights Regional Economic Impact

The Chamber's 2026 Top 100 companies collectively reported:

More than $5.8 billion in combined annual revenue.
More than 24,000 employees, including over 14,000 in Greater Rochester.
100 privately held companies recognized for revenue growth.
More than 1,800 attendees at the annual awards celebration.
Nine counties represented in the program's eligible geographic region.

The revenue figure reflects the companies' combined revenue during their most recent fiscal years, not the amount of revenue growth achieved in 2026.

The results highlight the role privately held businesses play in the regional economy. These companies support employment, create demand for suppliers and professional services, and contribute to economic activity across the Finger Lakes and Greater Rochester region.

The diversity of industries represented also demonstrates that regional business growth is not limited to a single sector.

Four Decades of Recognizing Business Growth

The Top 100 program began in 1987 and has become one of Greater Rochester's longstanding business recognition programs.

According to the Chamber, the program has generated more than 5,000 company recognitions throughout its history, with approximately 70% of honorees earning recognition multiple times.

More than 200 minority-, women- or veteran-owned businesses have also been recognized over the program's history.

The awards are presented in partnership with ESL Federal Credit Union, with KPMG LLP serving as the accounting partner.

To qualify, businesses must be privately held, independently owned and headquartered in the nine-county Greater Rochester region. Eligible companies must also have generated at least $1 million in annual revenue during each of their three most recent fiscal years.

Rankings are determined using a combination of percentage revenue growth and absolute dollar revenue growth over three years, allowing companies of different sizes to compete.

Individual company revenues and growth percentages are not publicly disclosed.

Chamber Recognizes ESL's Faheem Masood

The anniversary celebration also included the presentation of the inaugural Golisano Philanthropy Award to Faheem Masood, former president and CEO of ESL Federal Credit Union.

Masood led ESL from 2016 until his retirement in April 2026. During his tenure, the credit union's assets grew from approximately $5 billion to $9.8 billion.

ESL also returned nearly $500 million to the Greater Rochester community during that period, according to the Chamber.

The award recognized Masood's contributions to philanthropy and regional economic development.

What's Next for Rochester's Growing Businesses?

The 2026 rankings offer a snapshot of a regional business community that includes established employers, growing contractors, technology companies and emerging consumer brands.

With more than $5.8 billion in combined revenue and thousands of regional jobs, the Top 100 companies represent an important segment of Greater Rochester's private-sector economy.

Nominations for the 2027 Greater Rochester Chamber Top 100 are expected to open in February, with submissions continuing through June.

Businesses interested in learning more can visit the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Top 100 program.

2026 Greater Rochester Chamber Top 100: Complete Rankings

The following companies were recognized among the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the nine-county Greater Rochester region. Rankings are based on a combination of dollar and percentage revenue growth from 2023 through 2025.

Rochester's Fastest-Growing Companies Generate $5.8B in Revenue, Support More Than 24,000 Jobs

WeTheHobby Leads the 2026 Rankings

$5.8 Billion in Revenue Highlights Regional Economic Impact

Four Decades of Recognizing Business Growth

Chamber Recognizes ESL's Faheem Masood

What's Next for Rochester's Growing Businesses?

2026 Greater Rochester Chamber Top 100: Complete Rankings

Rankings 1–25

Rankings 26–50

Rankings 51–75

Rankings 76–100