Genoptix Medical Laboratory, out of Carlsbad, tied for fourth on the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing private companies released Aug. 23. Genoptix conducts advanced testing for the patients of oncologists and hematologists at its laboratories.

Red Ventures, a Charlotte, N.C., advertising and marketing company, shared the No. 4 spot.

Bridgepoint Education of San Diego came in 17th, ahead of the TV manufacturer Vizio, based in Irvine, which placed 19th.

To be considered for the Inc. 500, a company must have had at least $200,000 in revenue in 2003 and $2 million in 2006. The consideration is based on percentage increase in revenue.

Other San Diego County companies that placed within the Inc. 500 are Ethertronics, No. 52; Eset, 89; Solekai Systems, 101; Test Country, 239; Foundation Capital Group, 260; Sentek Consulting, 269; Superior Internet Solutions, 292; Advanced Planning Services, 308; Drive Cam, 325; Five Point Capital, 348; SGIS, 392; and Chelsea Investments, 397.

New York-based Inc. Magazine has produced an annual list of 500 fast-growing private companies for 25 years. This year the publisher said it had expanded that list to 5,000 companies.

— Preet Anand