Atlanta, GA – August 12, 2025 

Guardian Sports, the sports equipment innovators behind Guardian Caps, PEARL Lacrosse, LOOP headbands, Bio-Based TPE Infill and Guardian Chinstrap, is proud to announce that it has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America, ranking No. 1,071. 

“We’re incredibly honored to be named to the Inc. 5000 list,” said Erin Hanson, Co-Founder and CEO of Guardian Sports. “This recognition reflects our team’s relentless drive to innovate, grow with purpose, and make sports safer for athletes at every level. It’s not just about the numbers — it’s about the impact.” 

The list provides a data-driven look into the most successful companies within the economy’s independent, entrepreneurial businesses.  

This year’s Inc. 5000 honorees have demonstrated exceptional growth while navigating economic uncertainty, inflationary pressure and a fluctuating labor market. Qualifying companies are U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit and independent.  

“Making the Inc. 5000 is a milestone we’re proud of, but it’s just the beginning,” said Jake Hanson, COO of Guardian Sports. “We’ve always believed in solving real problems with practical innovation, and this recognition reinforces that we’re on the right track. We’re excited to keep pushing forward.” 

For the full list, company profiles, and a searchable database by industry and location, visit: www.inc.com/inc5000 

“Making the Inc. 5000 is always a remarkable achievement, but earning a spot this year speaks volumes about a company’s tenacity and clarity of vision,” says Mike Hofman, Editor-in-chief of Inc. “These businesses have thrived amid rising costs, shifting global dynamics, and constant change. They didn’t just weather the storm—they grew through it, and their stories are a powerful reminder that the entrepreneurial spirit is the engine of the U.S. economy.” 

Inc. will celebrate the honorees at the 2025 Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala, taking place October 22–24 in Phoenix, Arizona. 

About Guardian Sports 

Founded in 2010, Guardian Sports is on a mission to better protect athletes at every level of play. Known for engineering the Guardian Cap, PEARL lacrosse balls, Guardian LOOP headband, and Guardian Bio-Based TPE Infill, the company is trusted by over 500,000 athletes nationwide. Guardian continues to set the standard in safety-driven innovation. Learn more at www.guardiansports.com. 

The Inc. Methodology 

Companies on the 2025 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2021 to 2024. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2021. The minimum revenue required for 2021 is $100,000; the minimum for 2024 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. 

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.