Build a Target List of Companies

When building a target list of companies, we recommend first approaching the databases with company size in mind as each database has its strengths and weaknesses. For example, the strength of CB Insights is its coverage of the VC/startup space, whereas Mergent Intellect covers larger and public companies. The Public and Private Company tabs to the left will guide you to the appropriate databases and offer best practices for layering additional parameters to your search (industry, location, and so forth).

However, there are alternative ways to build target lists! For those of you who are location-specific, the Location-Driven tab will offer a particularly helpful way to browse lists of companies in your location of interest. For those of you who prefer generating ideas based on company growth rate, innovation, or industry, for example, our Company Rankings tab will offer lists curated by publications or companies such as Inc., BCG, Forbes, and Crain's.