Southern Methodist University's Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship on Wednesday issued its annual ranking of the 100 fastest-growing private companies in the Dallas area.

Topping this year's list was Ambit Energy, a Dallas-based retail electricity provider that grew from 22 employees in 2006 to more than 200 today.

Ambit's revenue is expected to surpass $300 million this year.

Despite the recession and a high national unemployment rate, the 100 companies combined created more than 11,000 jobs in the last two years, said Jerry White, director of the Caruth Institute.

The Dallas 100 rankings measured performance from 2006 through 2008.

The 100 companies on this year's list generated total sales of $8.4 billion in the last three years, increased average sales 176 percent and increased employment from 14,764 to 26,142, according to SMU.

To qualify, companies have to be based in the Dallas area and post increasing annual sales between $500,000 and $75 million in the last three fiscal years.