of firms  Germany  35  Note: The three criteria to be considered a "hidden champion" are the following: (a) the firm is among the top three in the global market or is number one for a particular niche business area on the continent where the firm is based, (b) the firm has less than 5 bil.
euro in revenue, and (c) the firm is little known to the general public. Source: Hermann Simon, Hidden Champion of the 21st Century.