GrowFL Announces 2015 Florida Companies to Watch Finalists

growFLSubmitted by Karen Shexnayder

Nassau Economic Development Board
June 28, 2015 7:00 p.m.

GrowFL has announced the 2015 Florida Companies to Watch finalists. The awards event – now in its fifth year – honors 50 select second-stage companies from throughout the state for developing valuable products and services, creating quality jobs, enriching communities, and broadening new industries throughout Florida. More than 500 companies were nominated for this year’s award. The 101 finalists collectively represent $694 million in annual revenue and employ 3,280 full-time equivalent employees.

As an economic development organization partner of GrowFL, The Nassau County Economic Development Board is proud to support this event and recognize our local business, eZassi, a 2015 finalist.  “eZassi fits in perfectly with what we envision is the future of Nassau County,” revealed Laura DiBella, executive director of the Nassau County Economic Development Board.  “Promoting STEM education is one of our main initiatives.  We want to create an atmosphere of entrepreneurship and more importantly, inspire and cultivate a community where the young generation can learn from local business owners.”

Nassau County-based eZassi Among Second-Stage Businesses Competing to Earn Prestigious Honor
Nassau County-based eZassi Among Second-Stage Businesses Competing to Earn Prestigious Honor

The Florida Companies To Watch program consists of two rounds of selections. Finalists now advance to the second round, where they will be further evaluated based on their performance in the marketplace, innovative products, services or processes, philanthropy and empowered employees.

“We applaud these first round finalists, all of which exhibit impressive strengths in entrepreneurial leadership, product innovation, social/community responsibility and competitive business practices,” says Dr. Tom O’Neal, GrowFL Executive Director.

Developed by the Edward Lowe Foundation, Florida Companies To Watch is a distinguished awards program specifically designed to seek out second-stage businesses from a wide range of industries representing all areas of the state, not just those in major metropolitan areas. In addition to evaluating past growth and projected success, applicant companies are judged according to their special strengths and impact in their markets, communities and within the state – thus deeming them “worth watching.”

The winners will be announced in late August. The 2015 honorees will be celebrated at the awards ceremony November 5th at the Hard Rock Live at Universal Resort. For more information visit growfl.com/flctw/about.