The top 10 companies on the Business Journal’s 2009 list of 100 fast-growing private companies were honored for their eye-catching, two-year growth Thursday at an awards ceremony in Irvine.

Growth at the 10 companies ranged from 286% to nearly 7,000%.

The growth rates are particularly impressive given the dramatic economic slowdown of the past year or so.

Some of the companies have grown by targeting niches that do well in slower times, including healthcare, refurbished electronics, investing in foreclosed homes and providing debt reduction services.

The top 10 companies:

No. 1 Mission Viejo-based Pacific Pharmacy Group, an acquirer and operator of independent pharmacies, with two-year growth of 6944% on annual sales of $29 million.

No. 2 Mission Viejo-based Stone Equity Group LLC, which works with individual investors to acquire foreclosed homes, with two-year growth of 2,990% on yearly sales of $10.7 million.

No. 3 Debtmerica LLC of Santa Ana, which works with borrowers to reduce debt, with growth of 1,462% on yearly sales of $17 million.

No. 4 Most Brand Development + Advertising, an Aliso Viejo advertising agency, with growth of 790% on sales of $32 million.

No. 5 Networks in Motion Inc., an Aliso Viejo wireless software maker, with growth of 717% and sales of $62 million.

No. 6 Anaheim-based Point One Technologies Inc., a seller of refurbished and surplus consumer electronics, with growth of 637% and sales of $169 million, the most among the top 10.

No. 7 Santa Ana-based Stearns Lending Inc., a provider of mortgages and related services, with growth of 614% and sales of $93 million.

No. 8 Irvine-based Cosemi Technologies Inc., a maker of optical chips for computer gear and consumer electronics, with growth of 300% and sales of $1.6 million.