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

Now Accepting Applications 2020 GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Awards

Second-Stage Businesses Compete to Earn Prestigious Honor

 

SPACE COAST, Fla. (July 15, 2020) – The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast is proud to announce that GrowFL, Florida’s leading organization in support of second-stage growth companies, is now accepting applications for its annual Florida Companies to Watch^® awards program. The program, which is now in its ninth year, honors 50 select second-stage companies from throughout the state for developing valuable products and services, creating quality jobs, enriching communities, and creating new industries throughout Florida.

Eligible applicants must be privately held, second-stage commercial enterprises. Qualifying companies must also be headquartered in the state of Florida, employ between 6 and 150 employees, and earn between $750,000 and $100 million in annual revenue. A selection panel of judges representing areas of finance, technology, entrepreneurship and small business select honorees that have demonstrated past and future growth opportunities, entrepreneurial leadership, product innovation, community responsibility and competitive business practices.

“We are excited to again present this prestigious awards program to honor exemplary second-stage businesses who have become an integral part of Florida’s economic landscape,” says Dr. Tom O’Neal, GrowFL Founder. “We received a record number of nominations last year and expect the same in 2020. This, in itself, says a lot about the drive and motivation of entrepreneurs throughout our state.”

GrowFL is a statewide economic development organization and hosts the awards program in partnership with the Edward Lowe Foundation, a national, nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurship through research, recognition and educational programs. The foundation focuses on second-stage companies — those that have moved beyond the startup phase and seek significant, steady growth. GrowFL, in turn, helps second-stage companies in Florida overcome obstacles and leads them towards prosperity by providing strategies, resources and support designed to prepare them for next level success. A typical Florida Companies to Watch class is comprised of businesses who collectively gross over $450 million in annual revenue, add more than 350 new jobs per year, average a 30% increase in earnings and experience almost 20% growth in employees annually.
Applications are open through August 7, 2020. For more information and to apply for the GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch award, please visit https://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 was created in 2009 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. As a result, GrowFL supports the diversification and growth of Florida’s economy. Second-stage Business are growth companies that are headquartered in Florida and currently employ between 6 and 150 employees and generate between $750,000 and $100 million in revenue. The have an intent and desire to grow beyond second-stage. Learn more at www.GrowFL.com.