The Austin-based PR and brand marketing agency earned its place on the list, driven by rising demand for earned media, executive brand strategy, and AI discoverability.
AUSTIN, Texas, August 11, 2026 – Zilker Media, an award-winning public relations and brand marketing agency, today announced it has been named to the 2026 Inc. 5000 list, the annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The list is the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s most successful independent and entrepreneurial businesses, recognizing companies that have achieved remarkable growth while driving innovation, creating jobs, and shaping the future of the economy.
Founded in 2017, Zilker Media has spent nearly a decade helping executives, entrepreneurs, and mission-driven companies build credibility that compounds over time. Its growth over the ranking period reflects sustained demand from clients in healthcare, construction, banking, fintech, venture capital, commercial real estate, and law, along with the firm’s expansion into AI discoverability. In April 2026, Zilker Media launched its AI Discoverability Ecosystem, a framework that integrates earned, owned, and rented media so clients are visible, credible, and recommended as buyers increasingly turn to AI platforms to make decisions.
“We started this agency on the belief that trust would become the most valuable currency in business, and every year since has proven that out,” said Paige Velasquez Budde, co-founder and CEO of Zilker Media. “We’re proud of our team and so grateful for the clients who trust us with their brands. Getting to grow alongside them and build something meaningful together is what makes this recognition so special.”
Zilker Media’s placement on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list includes:
- No. 4833 among the fastest-growing private companies in America
- No. 489 among Texas-based companies on the list
- No. 135 in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX
- No. 425 in Advertising, Marketing, & PR
The recognition adds to a strong run of recent honors for Zilker Media and its leadership. The firm was named to Inc.’s 2026 Best Workplaces List in June and was also recognized as a Best Place to Work by the Austin Business Journal in 2026. Paige Velasquez Budde has been named the Austin Chamber of Commerce 2025 Austin Executive of the Year, the Austin Business Journal 2025 Best CEO, the Greater Austin Business Awards Executive Leader of the Year, and an Austin Business Journal Women in Business Award honoree.
“Every company on the Inc. 5000 has a story of perseverance, smart decision making, and a refusal to sit still,” says Mike Hofman, editor-in-chief of Inc. “Their growth reflects more than strong financial performance—it reflects creativity, resilience, and the customer focus required to build companies that make a lasting impact. We congratulate all honorees on this significant achievement.”
For the full Inc. 5000 list, honoree company profiles, and a searchable database by industry and location, visit www.inc.com/inc5000.