Optiva Corp. was named the "number-one fastest-growing private company in America" by Inc. Magazine. The company, which has grown nearly 32,000 percent in five years, attributes much of its success to the Sonicare sonic toothbrush.
- Inc. Magazine`s annual list focuses on independent, privately held companies.
- Optiva was founded in 1988, and the Bellevue, Wash., company launched Sonicare at the American Academy of Periodontists meeting in 1992.
- Earlier this year, CEO David Giuliani was named "Small Business Person of the Year" by the Small Business Administration. He received the award from Vice President Al Gore at a White House ceremony in June.
- The company also launched a Mothers-To-Be program this year, giving away Sonicare toothbrushes to 2,000 low-income women in the first or second trimester of their pregnancies. The women exhibited evidence of gum disease and were nominated by their dentist or hygienist to receive the powered brushes.
- Sonicare uses a sonic frequency of 31,000 brush strokes per minute to reduce plaque bacteria and gum disease.
