How Growth Signals Work
Company growth happens gradually, then suddenly. We catch the moment it shifts.
The Five Growth Signals
Hiring Surges
When a company posts 30%+ more jobs in 90 days, they're expanding. We track open positions on Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby, and other public job boards.
Funding Rounds
New funding is a growth catalyst. We track announcements from Crunchbase Basic API and AngelList.
Expansion Alerts
Opening new offices, entering new markets, or geographic expansion. We detect these from SEC filings and company announcements.
SEC Filings
Public companies file 10-Ks, 10-Qs, and 8-Ks quarterly. We scan these for growth language: "aggressive expansion," "record hiring," "new markets."
Government Contracts
New contracts from USASpending.gov indicate new revenue streams and growth momentum, especially for defense, tech, and infrastructure companies.
The Growth Score Algorithm
Every company gets a combined score (0-100) weighted like this:
| Signal Type | Weight | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Job Posting Velocity | 40% | % change in open positions (90-day baseline) |
| SEC Filing Language | 30% | Growth keywords in 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K (90-day) |
| Government Contracts | 20% | New contract awards in last 180 days |
| Industry Tailwind | 10% | BLS employment growth for sector |
Example: OpenAI Growth Score 87/100
- Job postings up 156% in 90 days = 40 pts
- Recent 8-K mentions "aggressive hiring" = 25 pts
- Series K funding round = 12 pts
- AI sector growing 47% YoY = 10 pts
How to Use Signals
For Sales Reps
Hiring surges + expansion = companies that are spending and have budget. Target them now.
For Recruiters
Job postings spike before hiring managers are hired. Prospect company early.
For Investors
Growth score validates thesis. Pair with product research and market analysis.