Photo by Richard Hurd
The Creative Company Named a 2025 IC100 Award Winner
MADISON, Wisc. (November 19, 2025) — In recognition of The Creative Company’s drive and commitment to helping mission-based organizations, The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City awarded Madison, WI-based The Creative Company one of its 2025 Inner City 100 awards.
This prestigious national honor recognizes the 100 fastest-growing businesses across the United States. All 2025 IC100 winners will be formally recognized and receive their awards at the 2026 ICIC Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 27–28, 2026.
As part of this achievement, The Creative Company joins an elite group of businesses: fewer than 2% of all companies that participate in ICIC programs go on to become IC100 winners. Gallagher previously completed ICIC’s Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) program as part of the Milwaukee cohort in 2016, making this recognition a full-circle milestone nearly a decade in the making.
“Being named an IC100 award winner is a meaningful milestone for our team,” said Laura Gallagher, Founder and President of The Creative Company. “For more than 35 years, we’ve been committed to helping mission-driven organizations tell their stories, strengthen their brands, and uplift the communities they serve. This recognition underscores the power of purpose-driven work and the importance of investing in small businesses.”
Celebrating Inclusive Economic Growth
ICIC CEO Steve Grossman highlighted the significance of this year’s awardees:
“IC100 honorees are more than leaders; they are changemakers who uplift their neighborhoods while driving sustainable growth. These businesses are proof that investing in under-resourced communities generates exceptional results.”
The Creative Company is part of a network of more than 9,000 alumni businesses, only 400 of whom have been recognized as an IC100 Business—including well-known brands such as Printfresh, Angie’s List, Brooklyn Brewery, and Terracycle—that exemplify resilience, innovation, and inclusive economic impact.
A Record of Growth and Community Impact
Founded in 1989, The Creative Company provides public relations, digital marketing, branding, video production, and strategic communications services to organizations throughout Wisconsin and beyond. The firm’s client portfolio includes leaders in education, housing, economic development, healthcare, food systems, and community impact.
The Creative Company’s mission-driven approach, commitment to collaborative storytelling, and longstanding presence on Madison’s west side have contributed to both its growth and its deep involvement in the local community. The firm frequently supports nonprofit initiatives, champions small business development, and invests in next-generation talent.
About the IC100 Awards
Since 1999, the Inner City 100 (IC100) awards have celebrated the fastest-growing businesses in under-resourced communities across the U.S. To qualify, companies must be independently operated, privately held, for-profit businesses with revenues of at least $50,000 in 2019 and $500,000 in 2024, and headquartered in a designated under-resourced urban or suburban area.
These honorees serve as powerful examples of how inclusive economic growth strengthens neighborhoods and expands opportunity.
About ICIC
The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) is the nation’s leading authority on accelerating small business growth in under-resourced communities. Founded in 1994 by Harvard Business School professor Michael Porter, ICIC advances inclusive economic prosperity through research and programs designed to create jobs, income, and wealth for local residents.
About The Creative Company
The Creative Company is a woman-owned public relations and marketing firm based in Madison, Wisconsin. Since 1989, the company has helped mission-driven organizations shape narratives, elevate brands, and create meaningful impact in the communities they serve. Guided by a belief that stories can transform people and places, The Creative Company blends strategy, creativity, and purpose to help clients grow with clarity and confidence.
Visit www.thecreativecompany.com to learn more or reach out to Laura Gallagher, President and Founder at laura@thecreativecompany.com.