Skip to content

Duluth company makes prestigious list of fastest growing businesses in US

Ad Advance was co-founded by CEO Joe Shelerud and COO Matt Wiklund in 2017.

For the second year in a row, Ad Advance, a digital ad agency in downtown Duluth, is listed as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States. The agency, which specializes in Amazon Advertising, is the only business in northeastern Minnesota or northern Wisconsin to make the 2023 Inc 5000 list.

Ad Advance is ranked #1,552 on this year’s lineup. In 2022, the company ranked in the top 10%, landing at #500 of 5,000.

According to Inc. Magazine, Companies on the 2023 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2019 to 2022. To qualify, companies must have generated a minimum revenue of $100,000 in 2019 and a minimum
revenue of $2 million in 2022. Over this time, Ad Advance saw a growth of 370-percent.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000.

Ad Advance has flown under the radar in Duluth for several years. The clients of Ad Advance are ecommerce brands located all over the globe that sell on and off Amazon. As an Amazon Advanced Partner, Ad Advance is a leading agency in the space, recently adding Google and Walmart advertising to their suite of services.

Ad Advance was co-founded by CEO Joe Shelerud and COO Matt Wiklund in 2017. Both locals to the area, they are committed to growing their team in the Twin Ports. The team has grown 37-percent since last August and they are continuing to hire.

Comments

Latest

AF1 Transactions — November 7, 2025

Arena Football One teams were active Friday as several franchises made roster moves ahead of the 2026 season. Beaumont led the day with three signings, bolstering both sides of the ball. The Renegades added defensive lineman Sidney Jones of Southern Connecticut State, wide receiver Jaydan Barral from Tyler Junior College,

Members Public

DECC to host Tourism Industry Update

Tourism professionals and community leaders will gather at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center on Thursday, Nov. 14, for the fall Tourism Industry Update, a luncheon event designed to share insights and strengthen collaboration across the city’s visitor economy. The event will begin with networking at 11:30 a.m.

Members Public
AF1 Today: Monsters, Kats announce new signings

AF1 Today: Monsters, Kats announce new signings

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Monsters have reloaded their roster ahead of the 2026 Arena Football One season, announcing the signings of 13 new players as the franchise prepares for its first year in the league. The Monsters added a mix of veteran experience and young athleticism, highlighted by newcomers De’

Members Public
Howie: AF1 CEO Kurz bullish about Duluth franchise, DECC Arena
Jerry Kurz (left) officially welcomed the Minnesota Monsters and new owner Jake Lambert to the AF1. Submitted, Duluth Monsters.

Howie: AF1 CEO Kurz bullish about Duluth franchise, DECC Arena

Jerry Kurz on the Monsters: “Very strong franchise. We’re very selective. I get calls every week from people who want to join. But we have to be sure they’re giving something back to the community. Jake (Lambert, owner) and Steve (Walters, general manager and minority owner) want that."

Members Public