American Lending Center Holdings Inc. (ALC) today announced it has been ranked No. 2339 on the national 2026 Inc. 5000 list, the annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. This is the sixth time in seven years that ALC has appeared on the list.
The list is the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s most successful independent and entrepreneurial businesses, recognizing companies that have achieved remarkable growth while driving innovation, creating jobs, and shaping the future of the economy. Past honorees include companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Chobani, Oracle, and Patagonia.
Just as impressive, American Lending Center is ranked No. 182 nationally in financial services, No. 327 in all of California, No. 128 in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim greater metropolitan area, and No. 6 among financial services companies headquartered in Irvine, CA.
“The consistent growth required to stay on this prestigious list is 100% due to the hard work of our amazing team of professionals,” American Lending Center’s founder and CEO, John Shen, said. “Our mission continues to be helping innovators and investors achieve their American Dream. Each success makes the community stronger.”
American Lending Center and another John Shen-founded company, Sunstone Investment Group, Inc., are headquartered in Irvine, Calif. Most recently, ALC played a critical role in creation of the Irvine Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, a new Public-Private Partnership designed to assist innovators and small business founders and owners get started and succeed. ALC is a tenant of the Center as the Capital Corner to provide access to capital for startups and small businesses, and the Stella and John Foundation (Stella Zhang and John Shen) is the lead donor for creation and operation.
As an EB-5 regional center operator, ALC has provided financing across the country for community benefit projects supporting rural health, alternative energy and more. More than 100 projects have created jobs and spurred economic development in multiple states.
This year’s Inc. 5000 recognizes a new class of companies redefining what growth looks like.
From AI and advanced manufacturing to healthcare, consumer products, and professional services, these businesses are expanding their impact, creating jobs and proving that entrepreneurial ambition continues to fuel the U.S. economy. Among the 5,000 companies on the list, the median three-year revenue growth rate was 130%, and those companies have collectively added more than 627,208 jobs to the U.S. economy over the past three years.
For the full Inc. 5000 list, honoree company profiles, and a searchable database by industry and location, please visit: www.inc.com/inc5000.
“Every company on the Inc. 5000 has a story of perseverance, smart decision making, and a refusal to sit still,” says Mike Hofman, editor-in-chief of Inc. “Their growth reflects more than strong financial performance – it reflects creativity, resilience, and the customer focus required to build companies that make a lasting impact. We congratulate all honorees on this significant achievement.”
Inc. will celebrate the honorees at the 2026 Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala, taking place October 14–16 in Dallas, Texas and the top 500 will be listed in the Fall issue of Inc. Magazine. Tickets are on sale now.
Inc. 5000 List Methodology
Companies on the 2026 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2022 to 2025. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2022. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2025. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2022 is $100,000; the minimum for 2025 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons.
About American Lending Center Holdings Inc.
American Lending Center Holdings Inc. (ALC) is a mission-driven, private, non-bank lender committed to expanding access to capital, creating jobs, and driving sustainable economic growth across the United States. As a federally designated EB-5 regional center, ALC partners with investors to revitalize communities, create jobs, and finance sustainable projects that strengthen local economies—especially in underserved areas. At the time of this announcement, ALC has reached a new milestone, securing its 43rd I-956F project approval—an EB-5 industry-leading achievement.
ALC is dedicated to advancing innovation and sustainability by supporting startups and projects in sectors including renewable energy, agriculture, and rural healthcare. At ALC, we believe in building stronger communities by fostering entrepreneurship, leveraging global investment, and creating opportunities that empower future generations.
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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.
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