BlackRapid's Milestone: Honored on Inc. Magazine's 2012 Fastest-Growing Companies List

Back in 2012, BLACKRAPID earned a spot on Inc. magazine’s prestigious Inc. 500 list—celebrating the fastest-growing private companies in America. This recognition highlighted our explosive growth during one of the toughest economic periods in recent history.

From our founding in 2008 by Seattle photographer Ron Henry, BLACKRAPID set out to solve real problems for photographers: discomfort, slow access, and inefficiency with traditional camera straps. We revolutionized the industry with the patented R-strap camera sling—the original camera sling that literally turned the camera world upside down for faster, more comfortable shooting.

Key highlights from the Inc. 500 recognition:

1,281% revenue growth over the previous three years
Ranked 285th overall among U.S. companies
23rd in the Consumer Products and Services category
2nd among Seattle-headquartered companies (5th in the Puget Sound region)

By 2012, our innovative products—including the R-strap line, SnapR camera bags, and LensBling Lens Cap System—had gained a loyal global following. We expanded distribution to over 50 countries starting in 2010, earned the 2011 Exporter of the Year award in consumer goods from ThinkGlobal and the U.S. Department of Commerce, and collected numerous accolades for innovation, quality, and design.

Inc. Editor in Chief Eric Schurenberg noted the significance: “To rank among the 2012 Inc. 500, the company had to thrive through three of the toughest years this economy has seen in living memory.”

Renowned photographer Dan Ballard shared: “I have watched BLACKRAPID evolve from a start-up with a good idea… into a respected brand in the photography community with a loyal following around the world.”

This milestone was a testament to our commitment to photographers everywhere—backed by innovative design, a passionate community, and strong partnerships with distributors and dealers worldwide.

Fast-forward to today, and BLACKRAPID continues to lead with the same spirit: delivering the best camera straps and slings for speed, comfort, and reliability. Over a million cameras have been “turned upside down” since 2008, and we’re still going strong—featured as a top pick in recent 2026 reviews and trusted by pros and enthusiasts alike.

Thanks to every photographer who’s joined the revolution. Here’s to many more years of grabbing, gliding, and clicking!