Inc. Names Begin Health to Its 2025 List of the Fastest-Growing Private Companies in the Midwest

Woodstock, IL April 1, 2025 – Inc., the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future, today revealed that Begin Health is No. 4 on its fifth annual Inc. Regionals: Midwest list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the Midwest, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. An extension of the national Inc. 5000 list, the Regionals offer a unique look at the most successful companies within the Midwest economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses.

“Receiving this award due to our growth over the past few years has been a proud moment. It’s a testament to our incredible team, our trusted products, and—most importantly—our loyal customers. Their stories of relief and restored gut health, especially for kids facing daily challenges, are what drive us every single day” said Madeline Lauf, CEO and Founder of Begin Health.

The companies on this list show a remarkable rate of growth across all industries in the Midwest. Between 2021 and 2023, these 139 private companies had a median growth rate of 86 percent; by 2023, they’d also added 7,977 jobs and $13.2 billion to the region’s economy.

Complete results of the Inc. Regionals: Midwest, including company profiles, can be found at  https://www.inc.com/regionals/midwest starting April 1. You’ll also find an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, metro area, and other criteria.

“The honorees on this year’s Inc. Regionals list are true trailblazers driving economic growth in their respective regions, industries, and beyond. This list celebrates their achievements and tells the stories of remarkable companies that are fueling growth and adding jobs in local economies throughout the country,” said Bonny Ghosh, editorial director at Inc.

About Begin Health

Begin Health is the leading early life nutrition company focused on pediatric gut health. Since its launch, Begin Health has helped thousands of families improve gut health and embrace healthier lifestyles. Rooted in the belief that nutrition should mimic nature, the company is dedicated to creating comprehensive kids' nutrition solutions that support health starting from the microbiome. With a mission to foster stronger, more resilient guts in this generation, Begin Health remains steadfast in their commitment to developing proactive, nature-inspired ingredients that build health from within, helping kids thrive and stay healthy for life.

More about Inc.and the Inc. Regionals 

Methodology 

The 2025 Inc. Regionals are ranked according to percentage revenue growth over two years. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2021. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2023. (Since then, a number of companies on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2021 is $100,000; the minimum for 2023 is $1 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons.   

About Inc.

Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com.