2 exciting small-cap ASX shares that are growing quickly

These small businesses could become a lot larger if they continue growing.

| More on:
Boys making faces and flexing.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • ASX small-cap shares offer exciting investment opportunities due to their potential for significant growth and returns, with businesses still early in their growth journeys.
  • Cogstate Ltd (ASX: CGS), a neuroscience technology company, reported impressive financial growth in FY25 with a 22% revenue increase and a 96% rise in net profit before tax, bolstered by improving profit margins and new sales contracts.
  • Smart Parking Ltd (ASX: SPZ), a technology innovator in parking management, saw a 42% revenue rise and a 37% EPS growth, driven by expansions in market presence and operational efficiency, with further potential growth in FY26.

ASX small-cap shares are some of the most exciting investments because of the excellent compounding potential.  

A business like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) may find it challenging to double its profit quickly because of how large it already is and the difficulty in expanding its market share further.

However, small businesses are much earlier on in their growth journeys and could deliver significant returns.

It's the companies growing rapidly that could be ones to watch closely. Let's look at the two with explosive growth.

Cogstate Ltd (ASX: CGS)

This ASX small-cap share describes itself as a neuroscience technology company that's optimising brain health assessments to advance the development of new medicines and to enable earlier clinical insights in healthcare.

It provides computer-based cognitive tests across a growing list of domains and support partners for delivering electronic clinical outcome assessment solutions to replace "costly and error-prone paper assessments".

The company's offering is clearly resonating. In FY25, the company delivered year-over-year revenue growth of 22% to $53.1 million.

Pleasingly, the company's profit margins are improving, which suggests the bottom line can expand at a much faster rate than the top line over the long-term. FY25 operating profit (EBITDA) climbed by 72% to $16 million, while net profit before tax soared 96% to $13.9 million.

It also reported a strong start to FY26, with $14.1 million of new sales contracts executed since 1 July 2025, taking revenue under contract that's expected to be recognised in FY26 to $35.9 million.

The company plans to continue investing for growth, which I think bodes well for the ASX small-cap share.

Smart Parking Ltd (ASX: SPZ)

Smart Parking describes itself as a technology innovator within the parking management industry. It has offices in the UK, Denmark, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and the US.

Its managed services division operates and manages tens of thousands of car park spaces using automatic number plate recognition and licence plate recognition. It fully integrates parking, guidance, payment and analytics with other services.

The company is delivering strong growth for shareholders, with revenue rising 42% to $77.2 million, adjusted operating profit (EBITDA) climbed 47% to $20.5 million, adjusted free cash flow up 15% to $13.3 million and earnings per share (EPS) growth of 37% to 1.45 cents.

The ASX small-cap share also announced a strong start to FY26, with July 2025 showing revenue growth of 73% to $9.8 million and adjusted EBITDA surged 60% to $3 million.

The company could grow significantly thanks to a combination of winning more sites in existing markets, entering new countries and growing margins.

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Cogstate. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Cogstate. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Small Cap Shares

Shot of a young scientist using a digital tablet while working in a lab.
Small Cap Shares

Why I think this ASX small-cap stock is a bargain at $2.70

This small business could be significantly undervalued. Here’s why…

Read more »

Small girl giving a fist bump with a piggy bank in front of her.
Small Cap Shares

These 2 ASX small-cap shares have big potential for returns

Experts are excited about the potential of these smaller businesses.

Read more »

An executive in a suit smooths his hair and laughs as he looks at his laptop feeling surprised and delighted.
Industrials Shares

The stealth success story behind this ASX small cap's 275% share price rally

A surging share price has thrust this ASX small cap into the spotlight as investors take notice of its rise.

Read more »

Kid stacking coins from the jar.
Small Cap Shares

3 ASX small-cap shares I'd buy with $3,000 right now

These businesses have a lot of potential.

Read more »

A man holding a cup of coffee puts his thumb up and smiles while at laptop.
Small Cap Shares

Morgans is optimistic on these two ASX small-cap stocks

These small-cap stocks have positive ratings from Morgans

Read more »

a young boy dressed in a business suit and wearing thick black glasses peers straight ahead while sitting at a heavy wooden desk with an old-fashioned calculator and adding machine while holding a pen over a large ledger book.
Small Cap Shares

A 30% drop hasn't stopped this ASX small cap's global ambitions

This ASX small cap’s re-rating might be more about sentiment than fundamentals.

Read more »

A cute little boy, short in height, wearing glasses, old-fashioned bow tie and cardigan stands against a wall near a tape measure with his hand at the top of his head as though to measure his height.
Small Cap Shares

Why I think this ASX small-cap stock is a bargain at $2.03

This could be a good time to invest in this beaten-up stock.

Read more »

A woman points with her pen at a computer where a colleague sits as though they are collaborating on a project. She has a smile on her face.
Small Cap Shares

Why I think this ASX small-cap stock is a bargain

This investment could deliver very pleasing returns at the current valuation.

Read more »