The Australian Financial Review has published its Fast 100 and Fast Starters lists for 2024, with several independent agency businesses landing rankings.

The Fast 100, which recognises the 100 fastest growing companies in Australia, was topped overall by air medical assistance start-up Medevac.flights, which posted a 707 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for FY22-24. However, the list was also joined by Brisbane-based digital marketing agency, TFM Digital, in 87th place with a CAGR of 31.95 per cent, and Sydney indie media shop Kaimera, in 99th place with a CAGR of 26.35 per cent.

The Fast Starters list, meanwhile, recognises the top 100 fastest-growing startups in Australia, which have recorded a minimum revenue of $0.5m in the past financial year. Leading the pack was recruitment tech XRecruiter, with a CAGR for FY22-24 of 2384.95 per cent. Further down two indie agencies were recognised, with Newcastle-based independent media and creative consultancy SOLVD ranking in 37th place with a CAGR of 236.70 per cent, and indie creative firm Snack Drawer in 90th place with a CAGR of 85.88 per cent.

Founder and Principal Consultant, Sam Gannon, founded SOLV in 2020, and has built the business organically, increasing annual revenue year-on-year, with growth up by 30% in 2024 alone.

"It is an honour to be included on the AFR’s Fast Starters list,” said Gannon. “The list has long been the authoritative voice on the fastest growing companies in Australia across a range of industries, so to be recognised is an incredible achievement."

"Our marketing and growth strategy has focused on building a core team of strong people managers and industry experts, who are good at embedding consistent internal messaging and strategy and putting processes in place to achieve results. This approach has been critical to our success, enabling us to build a robust, end-to-end marketing service that stands out from the crowd,” he added.