Florida's Second-Stage Growth Companies Shine

Don't Miss Your Chance to Be Recognized as a Powerful Growth Company!

Nominate now before the May 4, 2012 deadline
Apply before the May 18, 2012 deadline
(All candidates must submit an application. Companies may apply without being nominated).
Download the official 2012 announcement

CAPTURING THE EXCITEMENT OF FLORIDA COMPANIES TO WATCH
Winners of the 2011 Florida CTW celebrate
The winners of the 2011 Florida Companies to Watch celebrate at the Feb. 17 gala event. Growing second-stage businesses statewide have the opportunity to join an elite group of nationally recognized companies as part of Florida Companies to Watch, an awards program that celebrates second-stage companies throughout the state of Florida.

Eligibility: Candidates must be privately held, commercial enterprises with the intent and capacity for further growth. Companies must employ between 6 and 99 full-time equivalent employees and have between $750,000 and $50 million in annual revenue (including working capital from investors or grants) in the calendar year 2011. Companies in all industries are sought. See the eligibility criteria page.

Candidates may be nominated or apply directly, and all companies must complete an application — have your say on which second-stage companies are represented on the Florida Companies to Watch stage in 2012. Download the official 2012 announcement

Nominate Apply Celebrate
Nominate a second-stage company for the 2012 Florida Companies to Watch award. Companies may apply without being nominated.

Nomination deadline:
May 4, 2012

Find out if your company meets the eligibility criteria. All companies, including nominees, must submit an application to be considered.

Application deadline:
May 18, 2012

Attend the official festivities honoring the 2012 Florida Companies to Watch on October 19, 2012 at the Rosen Shingle Creek.
Rosen Shingle Creek
NOMINATE A COMPANY APPLY CELEBRATE AT THE AWARDS EVENT

WHY SUPPORT SECOND-STAGE COMPANIES?
These companies are powerhouses for job creation.

During 2006-2008, Florida's resident companies averaged more than 111,500 second-stage establishments. Second-stage businesses comprise only 6 percent of the establishments in the state but represent more than 2.5 million workers — that's 31.6 percent of the jobs being created by 6 percent of the companies headquartered in the Florida. Source: YourEconomy.org, an online resource of the Edward Lowe Foundation		 According to a venture capitalist . . .
"We think second-stage growth companies are a great opportunity. They allow you to skip the risk involved with early-stage companies that haven't sold a product yet. The likelihood of a second-stage company becoming more successful and creating a substantial number of new jobs is significantly higher than for a pre-revenue company."

— Jeff Barry, partner of Plymouth Management Co. in Ann Arbor, Mich., which manages the Plymouth Venture Partners and Plymouth Venture Partners II funds.
WHY NOMINATE A SECOND-STAGE COMPANY?
If you serve second-stage companies, remind your clients that you applaud their achievements — and that you want others to take notice as well.

Ideal nominators include services providers such as attorneys, accountants and bankers; PR professionals; economic development practitioners; employees, customers and vendors of great second-stage firms; or anyone who knows of a second-stage company.

    What's in it for nominators?
  • Service providers provide outstanding service to their clients, but unless you also promote these companies, you are not doing everything you can to support their growth.
  • Put your community on the map. If your organization operates regionally, support the economic development in your community by nominating companies headquartered in your territory.
  • Nominations can be submitted anonymously and are appreciated as much as those from named nominators.
  • Don't know your candidate's exact employee count or revenue? Nominate that company anyway — your nominee can decide if they are eligible before applying.
  • All nominees must submit an application, but many forget to do so. We will send you a reminder to "nudge" your nominee before the application deadline.
 According to CTW supporters in Wisconsin, where CTW is also offered . . .

Brian CurryA past winner: "PhysioGenix has received other awards, and outside recognition is always a good feeling. Yet Companies to Watch was different. This was our first award that I felt was driven by people who really know what we're going through. It hits home with something I truly believe in: second-stage companies. In economic-development circles you see a lot of focus on communities either trying to help startups — or trying to attract large manufacturing plants to their region. Companies to Watch fills a gap no one else is paying attention to: the companies creating jobs that are here to stay."
— Brian Curry, president and CEO of PhysioGenix in Milwaukee (2010 Companies to Watch alum)

A nominator and sponsor: "Helping second-stage companies may not be as glamorous as showing up at ribbon cuttings and ground breakings, but when you start looking at the numbers and a community's best opportunities for economic growth, there is a pretty compelling business case for the return on investment you achieve by investing in the development of second-stage businesses."
— Todd Battle, president of the Kenosha Area Business Alliance in Kenosha, Wisconsin
WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY?
This award puts second-stage companies on an entirely different playing field. Here's a short list of winner benefits:
  • The exposure winners receive has no dollar equivalent. A statewide media campaign will be conducted with outreach to the state's major press outlets as well as regional media and industry press.
  • Taking notice are: The business press, potential business partnerships, the financial community (banks, VCs, angels), potential employees (smart recruits want to work for a winning enterprise), current employees (who respond with pride and renewed vigor).
  • Special recognition at the Florida Companies to Watch gala, which has come to be known as an outstanding networking event for entrepreneurs and supporters of entrepreneurship in the state. Winning companies receive two complimentary tickets (additional seats or tables are available for purchase).
  • A beautiful crystal trophy inscribed with your company's name.
  • An exclusive Companies to Watch press kit containing a winner's graphic and press release template.
  • Invitation to join a CEO roundtable if offered in your local area.
  • Join a group of 50 second-stage peers who have won the award in the past.
  • Earn a chance to attend an Edward Lowe Foundation leaders retreat with CTW winners from other states.
 According to two winners from Michigan . . .

Nawal Motawi"Being an honoree has definitely helped increase our visibility. We've won industry awards for certain projects and a local award for fast-growing businesses, which gave us some recognition in the community. Companies to Watch has helped our visibility at the state level. The awards ceremony itself was quite moving. When you're in business, there aren't many moments like that when you're recognized for just doing what you do."

— Nawal Motawi, president and co-owner of Motawi Tileworks Inc. in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan 50 class of 2008)

Lee Rouse of OmniTech "Being a Companies to Watch honoree has raised our visibility with peers both locally and nationally, and it's increased confidence with our customer base. I also think the award sparked some important introspection. It's prompted us to look back and see what we're really good at — at how we can expand into new areas with our strengths."

— Lee Rouse, president and CEO of Omni Tech International, Ltd. in Midland, Mich. (Michigan 50 class of 2008)
Florida Sponsorships Florida Companies to Watch is presented by the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation.