Space Coast Companies Among 50 Recognized by GrowFL

as 2017 Florida Companies to Watch^SM

Entrepreneurial styles and corporate cultures give these second-stage companies competitive advantage

Space Coast, FL (July 20, 2017) – The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) and GrowFL are pleased to announce that seven Space Coast companies are among the 2017 Florida Companies to Watch^SM. These companies were selected from more than 500 nominees throughout Florida. This prestigious honor is awarded by GrowFL, in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation.

The factors that made each winning company a contender for this award included management team, competitive market position, and strong community involvement.

“These stand-out companies are all led by entrepreneurs, and have demonstrated their capacity and intent to grow,” said Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute and Associate Vice President for the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization. “They also all have critical intellectual property, or a niche position, that gives them a competitive edge in their markets.”

“Seeing that Brevard County has seven finalists – the second highest number for a community statewide – is an accomplishment for which we are proud,” stated Lynda Weatherman, President and CEO of the EDC of Florida’s Space Coast. “These companies are a shining example of the Space Coast’s talent and business growth, and show that our County is fueled for further economic progress.”

Below is the list of Brevard County’s 2017 Florida Companies to Watch^SM winners:
• Boys Electrical Contractors, Kimberly Brown, President
• Grimaldi Candy Company, Jim Frazier, President
• Jaycon Systems, Jiten Chandiramani, CEO
• K. Parks Consulting, Inc. (KPC), Kizzy Parks, President
• Society+, Michelle Crawford, CEO and Co-founder
• Sorensen Moving and Storage, Scott Sorensen, CEO
• Up-Rev, Jason Petro, CEO

“This is a strong group of companies that deserves this special recognition given annually to the state’s top second stage companies,” said Dr. O’Neal. Second-stage companies are defined as those with six to 150 full-time employees and between $750,000 and $100 million in annual revenue. There are many programs and incubators promoting start-up businesses; GrowFL’s is the only Florida program that focuses exclusively on second-stage companies.

The 50 companies named the 2017 Florida Companies to Watch^SM generated a total of more than $1 billion in revenue and added more than 1,300 employees between 2012 and 2015.

Together, the companies project a 53 percent increase in revenue and a 36 percent increase in job creation compared with 2016.

Companies named to the list will be officially recognized October 14, 2017 at the Straz Performing Arts Center in Tampa, Florida.

For more information, visit www.growfl.com/flctw17/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; promoting the Space Coast; influencing change on government laws and regulations; affecting economic development; 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 SpaceCoastEDC.org.

About GrowFL
GrowFL provides strategies, resources and support, including strategic research and peer-to-peer CEO mentoring and leadership development, to second-stage Florida companies. Created by the Florida legislature in 2009 and grounded in the philosophy of Economic Gardening® — growing existing businesses in a community, region or state — GrowFL is a critical component of the state’s economic development strategy and Florida’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. GrowFL is certified by the National Center for Economic Gardening through the Edward Lowe Foundation. Website: growfl.com

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.