Founded in 2007, CityRyde is already functioning as the world's foremost bike-sharing consultant. With the carbon credit market expected to skyrocket to $100 billion by 2012, however, Drexel University graduates Tim Ericson and Jason Meinzer have their sights set even higher.

For now, the dynamic duo will settle for revolutionizing how Philadelphia, and other cities throughout the world think about transportation in cities. Inspired by a first-hand look at the launch of Paris, France's renowned bike-sharing program, CityRyde consults 10 cities who are interested in exploring or perfecting the idea. CityRyde is also partnering with transportation consulting firms who have no bike-sharing expertise.

The work and recognition have been plentiful. In 2009, it was honored as a Fast Pitch "Business of the Year" as a top green company and Ericson was featured in Entrepreneur Magazine. Late in 2010, the company submitted a methodology for determining greenhouse gas emission reductions through bicycle sharing projects to the Voluntary Carbon Standard, the global program of credible voluntary carbon offsets. The first-of-its-kind methodology, which takes the form of CityRyde's Inspire software and was three years in the making, has a very good chance of apporval and could pave the way for an enormous shift in transportation. The company also closed a $375,000 round of funding in 2010 and a seed round with Ben Franklin Technology Partners.

Early in 2011, the company signed an agreement with New York-based The Related Companies, LP, to provide bicycle sharing services at Related apartment complexes across the country.