| New GrowFL Companies |
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Coastal Directory is a locally owned, independent directory publisher. Their directories are designed to meet and exceed consumer expectations for user friendly features including larger, easier to read type fonts, well developed information in the classified yellow page section, zip codes, easy referenced government listings, cross reference listings, compact size and more.
Shoppers’ Critique International is the largest consumer marketing/intelligence company based in Florida, the customer service capital of the world. With a heritage that includes long-term relationships with America’s top brands across multiple industries, Shoppers’ Critique measures the customer experience, delivering the highest quality, most credible information in a timely manner, as well as actionable solutions to maximize customer retention and revenue growth, providing clients with an unparalleled return on investment.
 Synergy Technical Solutions Corp. (Syntechs) is a leading national technical service solutions provider with over 1,500 highly skilled service professionals who specialize in products ranging from desktop and notebook computers to workstations, printers, point of sale devices, flat panel TVs and more. Our broad spectrum of technology services, together with our people and unique service delivery model, provide comprehensive and cost-effective solutions to technology providers, manufacturers, retailers and consumers.
(click the company logo for more info)
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~First Monday~
Sowing Seeds |
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Last year, Chet Simmons began to feel a sense of urgency. Previously content to grow his company slowly, Simmons, no longer in his 40s and 50s, felt the clock ticking on his entrepreneurial life.
“Sometimes you think you're fat and happy, and might be a little complacent,” he explains. “I think maybe I took a breath and let a few years go by.”
The down economy further prodded Simmons to…
To read the rest of the article, please click here.
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~Orlando Business Journal~
Study: GrowFL helped create 1,458 jobs |
(February 4, 2011) A new study commissioned by the Florida High Tech Corridor Council found that GrowFL helped create 1,458 jobs in its inaugural year, contributing than $280 million in economic impact statewide.
The study also found that GrowFL helped generate $8.4 million in state and local taxes, representing a nearly 6-to-1 return on the state’s original investment of $1.42 million.
“The results of this program...
To read more about this article, please click here.
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~Florida Trend~
Helping Hands |
(January 26,2011) In 2007, Orlando entrepreneurs Pam and Matt Weber bought Roar! Internet Marketing, a small website design firm that specializes in helping businesses use the internet to increase their leads and sales. The business took off, and Roar! steadily assembled a roster of clients ranging from restaurant groups to engineering firms.
Three years and nearly 200 websites later, Roar! had added employees and continued to grow, but...
To continue reading this article, click here.
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~St. Petersburg Times~
Economic 'gardeners' seek bumper crop of new Florida jobs
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(January 25, 2011) A statewide initiative called the Florida Economic Gardening Institute identifies and helps nurture small private companies with high growth potential in the Sunshine State. This is not a venture capital undertaking or a program for startup businesses with high failure rates. Now in its second year, the institute uses a program called GrowFL that targets so-called secondstage companies that survived the chaos of birth and now show great promise of expanding and...
To read more, click here.
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~Daytona Beach News-Journal~
Business leaders dig into economic gardening |
(January 22, 2011) PALM COAST -- Agriculture is not the only business where it's important to cultivate opportunities for growth. Business owners of all kinds can benefit from that perspective through the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida.
Flagler County business leaders got a first-hand look at how the program works and...
For the entire article, please click here.
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~Tallahassee.com~
'Economic gardening' to help grow local firms |
(January 11, 2011) Seven firms from Leon County are among those in Northwest Florida participating in the next round of GrowFL's "economic gardening" project, a statewide initiative to aid some of the economy's most likely job generators.
Created in 2009, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute's GrowFL program applies more resources and effort to help certain growth companies expand beyond...
To continue reading, click here.
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~Washington Post~
To cure the economy, fix the business environment |
(January 10, 2011) Small business owners have endured a lot over the past couple years, with a slow economy, lingering access to credit issues, and tax and regulatory uncertainties. If we are to grow this economy -- especially in light of the sluggish employment picture -- entrepreneurship will be a large part of that solution, and as a result, policymakers have devoted much attention to...
To continue reading, click here.
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Interested in becoming a GrowFL company?
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Companies To Watch 2011 |
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Fifty Winners in Florida’s Inaugural Class of “Companies to Watch.”
"Firms like these named ‘Companies to Watch’ continue to be the catalyst that is fueling Florida’s emergence from a turbulent national economy,” said Randy Berridge, President of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. “Congratulations to this exemplary group of Florida businesses that continue to invest in their communities and create new jobs in all corners of our state.”
The combined impact of the fifty chosen companies is $419 million in total annual revenue; 1,972 full-time equivalent employees and 510 new net jobs created compared to 2009. From 2006 through 2010, these companies generated $1.4 billion in revenue and added 1,153 employees (both in Florida and out of state), reflecting a 162 percent increase in revenue and 141 percent increase in jobs for the five-year period. That translates into a 32 percent annual revenue growth and 28 percent annual growth in employees.
Click here for full press release and list of winners.
Attend the accolade, presented by GrowFL
The fifty “Florida Companies to Watch” will be honored at the awards celebration on February 17 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando. Tickets are available online at www.florida.companiestowatch.org or by calling Lynn Aitken at 407-823-6384.
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Free SBIR/STTR Webinars |
The Florida Economic Gardening Institute (GrowFL) is providing a series of free online webinars about SBIR/STTR funding opportunities.
Log on for six sessions to learn how research faculty, students, and technology entrepreneurs can access these government dollars for technology commercialization by working closely with small technology firms that are seeking universities and their research faculty as SBIR partners.
Over $2 billion in SBIR grants will be
awarded to innovative small and startup technology companies this year. Learn how your company can get governmental funding to expand your commercialization efforts.
Please register at www.growflsbirsttrwebinars2011.weebly.com
Webinar Schedule
SBIR Workshops
All online webinars run from 9 - 10:30 a.m. (EST)
Monday, February 28th
Phase I: Developing the proposal
Monday, March 7th
Phase II: Basics of Phase II
Monday, March 14th
Phase II: Developing the Phase II proposal
Monday, March 21st
Phase II: The Phase II Commercialization Plan
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GrowFL Featured Forum |
CEO Nexus Forum
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
6:00 - 6:30pm Registration/Networking
6:30 - 8:00pm Program/Q&A
This event is generously sponsered and hosted by Norman Love Confections
11380 Lindbergh Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33913
In 2001, Norman Love left his corporate career, which culminated in a position as Corporate Executive Pastry Chef for Ritz-Carlton Resorts, and founded Norman Love Confections. His adventurous flair, love of the avant-garde and penchant for perfection are basic ingredients in the ultra-premium chocolates that are revered as representatives of the industry’s finest gourmet sweets. Since founding Norman Love Confections, Norman has...
For more information, click here.
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Upcoming Events |
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February 17, 2011
Florida 2011 Rural Summit
Focuses on economic development challenges/opportunities facing rural Florida communities
Renaissance Resort, St. Augustine, FL
For more information contact: Jeff Hendry at jhendry@iog.fsu.edu
February 17, 2011
Companies To Watch
Celebrating the inaugural class of Florida Companies To Watch
Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL
For more information contact: Lynn Aitken at lynn@growfl.com or (407) 823-6384
February 22, 2011
GrowFL Forum
Speaker Norman Love, Owner of Norman Love Confectionary speaks of “Sweet Success”
For more information contact: Brooke Gabrielson at brooke@enaplesflorida.com or (239) 821-0250
March 2, 2011
Vistage CEO Summit
featuring Herb Meyer
Former Special Assistant to the Director of Central Intelligence and Vice Chairman of the CIA’s National Intelligence Council
Central Florida GrowFL companies interested in attending contact Linda Jennings at linda@growfl.com or (407) 882-0046
March 25-26, 2011
Kauffman FastTrac Growth Ventures Workshop
Bootcamp for GrowFL Program Participants
Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, 3 Independent Drive, Jacksonville, FL
For more information contact: Lynn Aitken at lynn@growfl.com or (407) 823-6384
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Meet The Team! |
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Florida Economic Gardening Institute – Technical Assistance Team
Fran Korosec
Fran Korosec is the Director of Client Services for The Florida Economic Gardening Institute (GrowFL) at the University of Central Florida. Fran oversees all aspects of the GrowFL program, including administration and outreach, technical assistance, CEO forums and roundtables. Fran brings more than 20 years of experience in management consulting, integration services, technology development, & manufacturing. He is a seasoned executive with a unique combination of business development/sales, program management, and technical expertise. He has held various roles throughout his career including...
For more team bios, click here.
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Locate Your Regional GrowFL Representative |
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