Joe Mansueto

U. of Chicago grad founded investment research company Morningstar in his Chicago apartment with $80,000 in savings 1984; quarterly publication became analysis giant famous for its starred mutual fund ratings. Public 2005; shares flat in past 12 months. Sales: $435 million in 2007. Recently expanded product line. Added fund data business from Standard & Poor's last year, then acquired U.K. data, media and investor-relations Web site outfit Hemscott from Ipreo Holdings in January. Mansueto bought financial magazines Fast Company and Inc. from Gruner & Jahr for $35 million.