The Longhorn 100 identifies and celebrates the success of the 100 fastest growing Longhorn businesses in the world.
2026 Longhorn 100 Criteria
Companies must meet all of the following criteria:
- The company must have been in continuous business for four years or more as of December 31, 2025.
- The company’s revenues must have been $250,000 or more in each of the calendar years from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2025.
- The company must be Longhorn founded, Longhorn owned, or Longhorn led for the program time frame of January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2025.
- Longhorn founded means that a graduate of UT Austin (or a group of graduates from UT Austin) founded the company and is still employed as CEO, chairman, president, managing partner, or other C-Suite position.
- Longhorn owned means a graduate of UT Austin (or a group of graduates from UT Austin) must have owned 50% or more of the company for the time frame being measured.
- Longhorn led means a graduate of UT Austin served as CEO, chairman, president, managing partner, or other C-Suite position in the years being measured (January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2025). - The company and its Longhorn founders, owners, and leaders must act with high integrity and operate in a manner consistent with the values and image of UT Austin and the Texas Exes.
- Companies must meet all of the criteria to apply.
- Companies compete in two different revenue categories: 1) Under 5 million (revenue of 499,000,000 and under) 2) 5 million + (revenue of 501,000,000 and up)
Revenue Verification
- Companies must submit an application and baseline financial data via the Longhorn 100 Revenue Verification Form to be considered for the Longhorn 100.
- The Longhorn 100 rankings are calculated by Whitley Penn, an independent accounting firm. Whitley Penn will calculate each company’s compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) in sales or revenue (net of returns).
- Whitley Penn reviews the financial data submitted and then compares an applicant's CAGR results to all other applicants to determine winners. Whitley Penn also determines the revenue category for each business.
- Whitley Penn reserves the right to request further documentation to verify the revenues reported in the Longhorn 100 Revenue Verification Form.
- To ensure the integrity and credibility of the ranked list, Whitley Penn confidentially manages all applicant financial data. This information will never be shared with a third party, including The University of Texas, Texas Exes or personnel. As such, no parties will enter into a non-disclosure agreement.
How to Apply
- Complete the Longhorn 100 Application.
- Download and complete the Longhorn 100 Revenue Verification Form.
- Email the completed and signed Longhorn 100 Revenue Verification Form to [email protected].
All application materials (application AND Revenue Verification Form) must be received by 11:59 p.m., CT, Nov. 8, 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
The Texas Exes reserves the following rights:
(1) To independently verify that nominees and honorees meet all criteria, (2) Reject any nominee for any reason, (3) Remove an honoree company from the Longhorn 100 list for any reason, and (4) Modify eligibility and requirements as needed without notification.
Key Dates
August 3 2026
Nominations and applications open
November 8, 2026
Applications close at 11:59 pm, CT
January 2027
Winners notified
April 2027
Awards gala
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Longhorn 100 determined?
- All must submit an application to be considered.
- Applicants send their financial information directly to Whitley Penn.
- All financial information is processed by Whitley Penn, the independent accounting firm for the Longhorn 100.
- Whitley Penn places applicants into 2 revenue categories for the period measured: Under 5 million in revenue and 5 million + in revenue.
- Companies are then ranked by percentage of compounded annual growth in sales or revenue (net of returns) for the period measured.
- After all confidential applications are processed, Whitley Penn reviews the financial data and provides the ranked lists to the Texas Exes.
How are the results calculated?
- Whitley Penn will determine which revenue category a company competes in based on the company’s reported revenue.
- Whitley Penn will calculate each company’s compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) in sales or revenue (net of returns). After compiling the calculations, the companies will be ranked by the percentage of growth rate from the highest to the lowest in each revenue category. See the formula used.
- The 100 fastest growing companies will be celebrated at the gala where the rankings will be revealed.
What is Revenue?
- The total amount of income generated by the sale of goods and services related to the primary operations of the company.
- Net sales, or sales less returns and discounts for the prior three calendar or fiscal years being measured.
- For professional service companies, use net revenue (gross revenue less refunds or credits).
- Businesses should provide revenue figures utilizing a consistent method of accounting for all three fiscal years (accrual or cash basis).
- Net revenue should not include expense reimbursements, PPP loan proceeds, provider relief funds, shuttered venue grants, employee retention credit proceeds, and any other proceeds unrelated to normal operations of the company.
- Other items which will not be considered as revenue include: investment income, interest, dividends, gains/losses on sale of assets, etc.
- Additional Info:
- Publicly traded companies and nonprofits are eligible to apply.
- Company executive leadership must meet the requirements stated above for the period being measured.
- For public companies, leadership must be listed on the company’s most recent SEC Form 10-K. This form must be submitted in addition to the Revenue Verification Form.
What is CAGR?
CAGR is the compounded measurement of a company’s year-over-year growth rate over a specified period of time. See the formula used.
How will the Longhorn 100 winners be honored?
- The top 100 companies will be invited to the awards presentation in Spring 2027. The awards gala includes the rankings reveal, dinner, cocktails and keynote remarks from UT leadership and President’s Impact Award winner.
- The top 100 companies will also be honored and highlighted in the Alcalde magazine, press releases, on Texas Exes and UT web properties, in Texas Exes/UT newsletters and social media.
- Winners will also be invited to various alumni & student engagement opportunities.
Will my confidential financial information be released to the Texas Exes or the university?
Financial information will never be shared with The University of Texas, the Texas Exes, or any personnel. Financial information will not be published or made public.
How will the Longhorn 100 winners be honored?
- The top 100 companies will be invited to the awards presentation at the ATT Hotel and Conference Center. T
- he awards event will include dinner, cocktails, music, and of course, the big reveal of the Longhorn 100.
- The top 100 companies will also be honored and highlighted in the Alcalde magazine, press releases, on Texas Exes and UT web properties, in Texas Exes/UT newsletters and social media.
- The Longhorn 100 will also receive an award and winner poster.
What information will be published?
The Longhorn 100 list will be published and can include company name, logo, Longhorn owner or leader names, location, ranking, CAGR growth rate, and self-reported company information. Specific revenue and financial data reported to Whitley Penn will NOT be published.
Who are previous winners of this award?
Learn more about previous Longhorn 100 winners.
Can I nominate a company even if I’m not sure they qualify?
We encourage it! All nominees will be contacted and invited to apply. Companies can determine if they qualify by reviewing requirements listed on this website.
What happens when a company is nominated?
All nominees will be contacted and invited to apply. Companies can determine if they qualify by reviewing requirements listed on this website. However, you should also let the company know you nominated them and encourage them to apply!
Are multiple nominations considered when determining the winners?
No.
Do I need to submit an application and Revenue Verification Form if I've been nominated?
Yes.
Do I need to submit my application and revenue verification form electronically?
Yes. Please complete the online Longhorn 100 Application and Revenue Verification Form electronically. It is critical that information on the Revenue Verification Form be typed and the correct signatures included.
Are there sponsor opportunities?
We offer a variety of opportunities. Visit our sponsor page for details.