The Cougar 100 is our way of recognizing and celebrating the 100 most successful Cougar-owned or led companies. Companies on the Cougar 100 are ranked by percentage of compound annual growth in sales or revenue for their last three fiscal years.
The Cougar 100 is the best way to recognize Cougar-owned or led companies. These prestigious companies are recognized at the annual luncheon awards, included in the Cougar 100 Business Directory, promoted in alumni magazine, highlighted in monthly newsletters and featured in social post throughout the year.
The Cougar 100 luncheon is held in the Spring each year. Financial records for your last three complete fiscal years that end on or before June 30th of each year will be used to rank revenue.
If your fiscal year ends on December 31st, you will use your 2019, 2020 and 2021 years.
If your fiscal year ends after June 30th, 2022, you will use your 2019, 2020 and 2021 years.
If your fiscal year ends on or before June 30th, 2022, you will use your 2020, 2021 and 2022 years.
The nomination window opens September 1st each year and remain open until October 31st. All required financial documents must be received by our accounting firm no later than December 1st each year. These documents should be emailed or faxed to:
John Stephenson
Pannell Kerr Forster of Texas, P.C.
jstephenson@pkftexas.com or Fax: 832-325-6428
Direct: 713-860-1428
Electronic invitations for honorees and other welcome attendees will be sent in late December.
The Cougar 100 members will automatically be included in the Cougar Business Network. The Cougar Business Network will showcase Cougar-owned businesses, connect them with alumni and fellow business owners and supports our mantra “Cougars doing business with Cougars”. Additionally, all those who submit will have the opportunity to take part in the UH Corporate Partner program.
To calculate revenue growth as a percentage, you subtract the previous fiscal year’s revenue from the current fiscal year’s revenue, then divide that number by the previous year’s revenue. So, if you earned $1 million in revenue last year and $2 million this year, then your growth is 100 percent.
For the reporting periods the company must have been owned OR led by a Cougar or group of Cougars.
- Cougar-owned means 50% or more owned by a Cougar or group of Cougars.
- Cougar-led means a Cougar as President, Managing Partner or Chairman, or other “C” or “V”-Level designation (CEO, CFO, CRO or Vice President).
- Cougar founded and founder still involved at senior level if not President or CEO.
The company must meet one of these criteria. It does not have to meet all three.
All alumni who submit their business for the Cougar 100 will be included in the forthcoming Cougar Business Network and have the opportunity to take part in mentoring programs, career fairs and potentially take part in the UH Corporate Partner program.
If you qualify under the definition of “Cougar-owned or led” (see above) and your company gross revenue or sales is above $250,000 for the reporting years and has been in business for 5 years or more.
Net revenue is meant to be net sales, or sales less returns. For a professional services business it would be gross revenues less any write-downs or discounts. Three year financial records for your last three fiscal years that end on or before June 30th of each year will be used to show revenue. Those financials are due to PFK by November 30th.
We need a way of verifying the company’s revenue levels. Some of the ways in which revenues can be verified include:
- Copy of audited, reviewed or compiled financial statements.
- Copy of page 1 of tax return (you can block out other financial data on page 1 if you wish).
- Certified Letter from external accountant attesting to revenue level.
- Three year financial records for your last three fiscal years that end on or before November 1st of each year will be used to show revenue.
These documents, along with the Company Performance Document should be emailed or faxed to:
John Stephenson
Pannell Kerr Forster of Texas, P.C.
jstephenson@pkftexas.com or Fax: 832-325-6428
Direct: 713-860-1428
Please note: The Company Performance Document must be completed and sent with the supporting financial documents.
If you have issues/concerns about any of these, feel free to contact PKF directly and they will work with you.
The financial information you provide during the application process is sent directly to an independent accounting firm that tabulates the results. They will only report the results to UHAA. The University will not see the revenue levels reported and they will not be made available to the press or any other groups. The accounting firm is PKF Texas in Houston. They provide similar services to awards programs such as the FasTech 50, Fast 100 and other ranking list in Houston.
You will receive a confirmation email immediately after submitting. If you do not receive an email, please email Chuck Arnold at cwarnold@Central.UH.EDU.
The Cougar 100 will be announced to the public after the luncheon in the Spring. The list will also appear in the Cougar Business Directory, the UHAA website and various other alumni communication outlets. The ranked list will also be prominently featured on a main concourse column in TDECU Stadium.
For additional questions, please contact Chuck Arnold at cwarnold@Central.UH.EDU.