From Assays to Hair Removal, Co. Plays Big and Small Roles

NANOCOMPOSIX INC.

CEO: Steve Oldenburg

Revenue: About $3.5 million in 2015; $4 million in 2016

No. of local employees: More than 40

Investors: Employee owned; Oldenburg owns the majority stake

Headquarters: Kearny Mesa

Year founded: 2004

What makes the company innovative: The business is finding new ways to put nanoparticles to work in fields such as dermatology, embryology and lateral flow assays.