CONTACT:
Brian Baluta
Director, Communications and Partner Relations
(321) 638-2000
BBaluta@SpaceCoastEDC.org

Five Space Coast companies honored with
2020 GrowFL Companies to Watch honor

Outstanding leadership, culture and growth make these second-stage businesses stand out.

SPACE COAST, Fla. (November 13, 2020) – The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) is pleased to join GrowFL in announcing the Brevard County second-stage companies selected as 2020 GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Honorees. The state’s top 50 honorees were selected from hundreds of applicants and nominees in this statewide competition that identifies companies expected to see significant growth over the next several years. The 2020 GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch awards celebration is brought to you by Nperspective CFO & Strategic Services, in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation.

Companies to Watch was developed by the Edward Lowe Foundation as a unique way to recognize and honor second-stage companies that demonstrate high performance in the marketplace with innovative strategies and processes, making them “worth watching.”

The following Space Coast companies have been selected as 2020 GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Honorees:

  • Artemis IT
  • Entech Innovative Engineering
  • Met-Con, Inc.
  • Rock Paper Simple
  • Space Coast Intelligent Solutions, Inc.

“Congratulations to the winners, who represent the Space Coast so well, particularly EDC investors Artemis IT, Rock Paper Simple, and EDC MASC member Entech Innovative Engineering,” said EDC President and CEO Lynda L. Weatherman. “These companies underscore that we are cultivating a business environment in Brevard County where homegrown companies can startup, grow and thrive.”

“These stand-out companies are all led by entrepreneurs, and have demonstrated not only their willingness to grow, but their capacity to do it successfully,” said Dr. Tom O’Neal, GrowFL Founder. “They are all positioned to make a significant impact on Florida’s economy with their products, services, critical intellectual property or a niche position that gives them a competitive edge in their markets. These business owners demonstrate strong leadership, philanthropic involvement, perseverance and all it means to be an entrepreneur.”

“This list recognizes second-stage Florida companies with passionate leaders who are making a difference in growing and diversifying our economy,” said Jennifer Barrows, GrowFL Chairman of the GrowFL Advisory Board and Business Development Executive with Withum. Second-stage companies are defined as those with 6 to 150 full-time employees and between $750,000 and $100 million in annual revenue. Barrows continued, “There are many programs to assist businesses in Florida, GrowFL is the only Florida program that focuses exclusively on second-stage companies.”

“Being selected as a GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch honoree is a wonderful validation for the dedication and hard work of the Artemis team and their commitment to Make IT Work for our customers across Central Florida,” Artemis IT CEO, Travis Proctor said. “We do this work because we love I.T., but it never hurts to have public recognition from such a well-respected organization! The support and encouragement of organizations such as GrowFL and the EDC is a critical part of building and fostering an economic climate that allows companies in Florida to expand and provide more jobs.”

“An organization like ours only exists and reaches forward to greater things because of the people that are a part of it” said Head Honcho of Rock Paper Simple, Joshua Adams. “This honor speaks to our team (past and present!) that has put in so much hard work, the mentors who have spoken into us, the clients that have invested into us and the community that has embraced us. We couldn’t imagine doing this anywhere else… with anyone else! Congrats to the other awesome Space Coast honorees!”

“Being selected as a GrowFL Company to Watch is such a special honor for a company like us at Entech. As an organization that works in the shadows of the majority of our production it is wonderful to be recognized for our accomplishments over all these years,” said Business Development and Estimating Manager of Entech Innovative Engineering, Justin Stehr. “It is great to know that sticking to our core values of Competence, Confidence, Commitment, and Consistency is paying off. Congratulations to the other nominees and thank you to GrowFL, the EDC and all others that helped to recognize Entech and our achievements.”

From 2016 through 2019, these companies generated $813 million in revenue and added 668 employees, reflecting a 103% increase in revenue and 113% increase in jobs for the four-year period. That translates into a 27% average annual revenue growth and 20% average annual growth in employees.

Even through the pandemic, these companies projected continued growth in 2020, with a 15% revenue increase and 17% growth in employees compared to 2019. If their projections hold, these companies will have generated $1.14 billion in revenue and added 887 employees over the last five years — a 133% increase in revenue and 150% increase in jobs since 2016.

Companies named to the list will be officially recognized at the 10th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Celebration on February 18, 2021 at Hammock Beach Resort & Spa, as well as broadcast online. Tickets are on sale now for the awards ceremony.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.GrowFL.com/flctw20/about-flctw.

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About the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast
The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) is dedicated to attracting new business and investment and expanding existing industry throughout the Space Coast, influencing change on government laws and regulations affecting economic development, promoting the Space Coast to encourage new investment, supporting efforts of Space Coast military installations, and relaying new programs and procedures to assist manufacturing and high-tech companies. The EDC is a private, not-for-profit coalition whose stakeholders are business leaders committed to the economic growth and stability of Florida’s Space Coast. Visit www.SpaceCoastEDC.org.

About GrowFL
GrowFL is dedicated to support and accelerate the growth of second-stage companies throughout Florida, by providing their leaders focused, efficient, and timely access to resources they deem important, such as connections with other second-stage company leaders, and to professional organizations whose expertise, experience, and products lead to the second-stage company’s continued growth and prosperity resulting in diversification and growth of Florida’s economy. GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch celebrates growing second-stage companies headquartered in Florida. Companies to Watch was developed by the Edward Lowe Foundation as a unique way to recognize and honor second-stage companies that demonstrate high performance in the marketplace with innovative strategies and processes, making them “worth watching.” Presented by GrowFL, in association with Edward Lowe Foundation, Florida Companies to Watch is an awards program like no other. Website: www.GrowFL.com/flctw20/about-flctw.

About the Edward Lowe Foundation
Established in 1985, the Edward Lowe Foundation is a national, nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurship through research, recognition, and educational programs, which are delivered through entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs). The foundation focuses on second-stage companies — those that have moved beyond the startup phase and seek significant, steady growth. In addition, the foundation has a second mission of land stewardship and is committed to preserving the natural resources and historically significant structures at Big Rock Valley, its 2,000-acre home in southwest Michigan.

About Nperspective
Nperspective CFO & Strategic Services, a Florida firm, operates around the country from centers in Orlando, Tampa, and South Florida. The firm was founded 20 years ago to assist small- and medium-sized businesses that need the expertise of seasoned financial executives but are unable to hire that expertise full-time. Website: www.Nperspective.com.