Menlo Innovations: Rich Sheridan

Menlo Innovations
Ann Arbor, Mich.

Founded: 2001
Employees: 15
2009 revenue: $3.2 million
menloinnovations.com

Menlo Innovations develops custom software for start-up companies and trains clients to develop software themselves.

Menlo Innovations practices extreme programming, which stipulates that all programmers work together in a wide-open space and everyone works in pairs—two people to a computer. At week's end, the pairs switch. On Monday, employees start fresh with new partners and, often, new pieces of the project puzzle. Sometimes a veteran and an intern work together, with the veteran passing along his knowledge and the intern explaining what's new in college computer classes. Sometimes two veterans work together for the fun of seeing how far and fast they can push the job.

• ALL4, Kimberton, Pa.
• Alternate Solutions HomeCare, Kettering, Ohio
• Biomark, Boise, Idaho
• Chroma Technology, Bellows Falls, Vt.
• Daphne Utilities, Daphne, Ala.
• Dealer.com, Burlington, Vt.
• Dixon Schwabl, Victor, N.Y.
• Ginger Bay Salon & Spa, Kirkwood, Mo.
• Maya Design, Pittsburgh
• New York Jets, Florham Park, N.J.
• Optimax Systems, Ontario, N.Y.
• Patagonia, Ventura, Calif.
• PortionPac Chemical, Chicago
• Red Door Interactive, San Diego
• Return Path, New York City
• The Sky Factory, Fairfield, Iowa
• Tarlton, St. Louis
• Tasty Catering, Elk Grove Village, Ill.
• Van Meter Industrial, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• A Yard & a Half Landscaping, Waltham, Mass.

• Akraya, Sunnyvale, Calif.
• Azavea, Philadelphia
• The Booksource, St. Louis
• Cargas Systems, Lancaster, Pa.
• Cooper Pest Solutions, Lawrenceville, N.J.
• Fentress Architects, Denver
• Finelite, Union City, Calif.
• Gongos Research, Auburn Hills, Mich.
• Honest Tea, Bethesda, Md.
• LoadSpring Solutions Inc., Lawrence, Mass.
• M & E Painting, Loveland, Colo.
• McGraw Wentworth, Troy, Mich.
• McNeely Pigott and Fox Public Relations, Nashville
• Menlo Innovations, Ann Arbor, Mich.
• NewAge Industries, Southampton, Pa.
• Pool Covers, Inc., Fairfield, Calif.
• SnagAJob.com, Glen Allen, Va.
• StarTex Power, Houston
• Torch Technologies, Inc., Huntsville, Ala.
• Workplace Options, Raleigh, N.C.