Florida Economic Gardening Institute

Smaller companies seen as key to regaining high-paying manufacturing jobs in Orlando

growfl — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:35:53 +0000

By Richard Burnett, Orlando Sentinel 10:36 p.m. EST, February 20, 2012

After years of lab work, Dan Rini is finally setting up a factory to make high-tech, air-conditioned uniforms for the military. But unlike many U.S. factories of recent decades, it’s not in China, India or, for that matter, South Carolina or Alabama. It’s tucked in an Oviedo office park with his company’s headquarters.

“The products we are developing, from a manufacturing point of view, are pretty technically challenging,” said Rini, the 40-year-old founder of Rini Technologies Inc. and a University of Central Florida engineering-graduate-turned-entrepreneur. “We needed the production…”

Click here to read the rest of this Orlando Sentinel article.

rburnett@tribune.com or 407-420-5256

Florida Companies to Watch Shines Spotlight on Second-Stage Growing Companies

growfl — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:36:13 +0000

Accepting Nominations and Applications for 2012

(ORLANDO, FL.) - Building on a break-out inaugural year, the 2012 Florida Companies to Watch awards program is back to recognize and award growing second-stage companies, headquartered in Florida, that have established themselves as high performance companies in their marketplace. This year’s group of companies will have the opportunity to join an esteemed group of national Companies to Watch honorees recognized from across the U.S.

Developed by the Edward Lowe Foundation, Companies to Watch was formed as an exclusive way to honor second-stage companies who exhibit innovative business strategies and processes. The companies recognized by this award are leading the way for second-stage companies and prove themselves to be “worth watching”. In 2011, Companies to Watch operated statewide in Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. In 2012, the program grows to northeastern California and Washington state.

“The Florida Companies to Watch celebrates the success of companies that make a significant difference in our economy. In Florida, they account for eight percent of the companies and more than 30 percent of the jobs,” said Tom O’Neal, Associate Vice President for Research and Commercialization at UCF and Executive Director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute. “They are in no man’s land: Too big to be small but too small to be big. These companies make a difference and we’re happy to give the kind of recognition they deserve.”

The combined impact of the 50 companies chosen as the inaugural winners of 2011 Florida Companies to Watch is $419 million in total annual revenue, 1,972 fulltime 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. A look at one of the second-stage winners of Florida Companies to Watch shows the incredible potential for Florida’s economic rebound. *Data compiled in December 2010.

“Over the last three years ECS has enjoyed a time of growth and success. Awards such as Florida Companies To Watch, help garner visibility for the hard work and contributions our employees, as well as the technology sector which we serve. It was a great honor to participate in the process – and ultimately to be deemed one of the FL Companies to Watch!” said Waymon Armstrong, President and CEO of Engineering and Computer Simulations (ECS), based out of Orlando, Florida. ECS has been recognized as an industry innovator and has appeared on the Military’s Training Technology Top 100 list for the last six years.

To be eligible for the award, a company must be a privately held, commercial enterprise that is currently in a stage of growth and past the start-up phase. Qualifying companies must also be headquartered in the state of Florida. Candidates will have between six and 99 full-time equivalent employees, and $750,000 and $50 million in annual revenue in the year 2011. Companies in all industries and across the state are invited to apply.

Winners will be selected by a panel of judges who represent areas of economic development, entrepreneurship, banking and small business. Judges will be looking for evidence of steady and/or high growth in employment rates and revenue as well as companies that stand out from the competition by demonstrating special strengths and traits including entrepreneurial leadership, product innovation, social/community responsibility and competitive business practices.

To apply for the program, companies who meet the criteria may fill out an application. Professionals who work with second-stage companies such as attorneys, accountants, bankers, public relations representatives and economic development professionals are encouraged to nominate a worthy business they believe should be recognized. The deadline to nominate a second-stage company is May 4, 2012. All nominees and companies seeking to apply directly must submit an application by May 18, 2012.

The companies selected as 2012 Florida Companies to Watch will be recognized at a special ceremony set for Friday, October 19, 2012 at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida.

In addition to the recognition of being named a 2012 Florida Companies to Watch, winners have the opportunity to participate in a leaders retreat attended by Companies to Watch award recipients from other states and held at the Edward Lowe Foundation’s Big Rock Valley in southwestern Michigan.

For details visit www.Florida.CompaniestoWatch.org or email FloridaCTW@lowe.org. Sponsorships for the 2012 event are available, please contact Lynn Aitken at 407-823-6384 or via email at lynn@growfl.com for further information.

About the Edward Lowe Foundation

The Edward Lowe Foundation inspired the creation of the Companies to Watch program to celebrate second-stage entrepreneurs, their companies and the business community that supports them. Established in 1985, the Edward Lowe Foundation is a Michigan-based nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurship through recognition, education and research with a focus on second-stage companies—those that have moved beyond the startup phase and seek significant, steady growth. The foundation also encourages economic gardening, an entrepreneur-centered strategy providing balance to the traditional approach of business recruitment. For information about the Edward Lowe Foundation, visit www.EdwardLowe.org.

About the Florida Economic Gardening Institute

The Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida was established in 2009. Initially funded by the Florida Legislature, the Institute has provided services via the State of Florida’s Economic Gardening Technical Assistance Pilot Program, known as GrowFL. With various partnerships throughout the state, including Orange County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the Institute collaborates with statewide partners to support the growth of second-stage businesses through localized entrepreneurial ecosystems. Additional information is available at www.GrowFL.com.

Tampa Bay tech leader Gordon sells his company, Enporion, to larger firm

growfl — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:28:21 +0000

Wake up and good morning. An 11-year-old private Tampa firm called Enporion that carved a niche providing supply chain software and productivity services to the utility industry will announce today that it has been acquired by a larger competitor in New Jersey.

Enporion, based on Harbour Island, was started in 2000 by seven Fortune 500 utilities. Enporion executive and prominent Tampa Bay technology advocate George Gordon bought the company in 2009, becoming its largest shareholder with employees at that time also getting a stake in the small company.

The buyer, Clark, N.J.-based GEP, says it will brand Enporion as “A GEP Company” and Gordon and other key members of his team will be retained. Terms of the deal were not made public. GEP was formerly known as Global eProcure.

“With this acquisition, Enporion and its customers will derive benefits by becoming a part a larger organization focused on customer delight and best-in-class solutions,” Gordon, an ex-U.S. Navy officer and longtime influential with the Tampa Bay Technology Forum, said in a statement. Gordon joined Enporion a year after its founding.

Enporion had been one of seven Tampa Bay area firms to make a list of 50 “companies to watch” that GrowFL, part of a statewide initiative called the Florida Economic Gardening Institute, identifed as having high growth potential in the Sunshine State. Here’s an early 2011 video interview of Gordon telling the Florida Technology Journal about Enporion’s niche.

Enporion has battled stiff competition, a difficult economy and a utility industry prone (given the regulated industry that it is) to making conservative decisions about vendors. As an entrepreneur, Gordon would have preferred to grow his company independently. But he recognized Enporion would fare better with a larger organization like GEP.

GEP co-founder and CEO, Dr. Subhash Makhija said GEP will “leverage Enporion’s decade-long industry expertise and accelerate our already strong footprint in this space.” Here is Makhija in a short video describing his business approach.

– Robert Trigaux, Business Columnist, Tampa Bay Times

UCF’s GrowFL Team Hired to Share Economic-Gardening Techniques

growfl — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:33:46 +0000

The Edward Lowe Foundation, which promotes entrepreneurship as the strategy for economic growth, has contracted with the University of Central Florida’s successful GrowFL team to provide economic-gardening services for other communities and states.

The Florida Economic Gardening Institute at UCF, which administers the GrowFL Program, is the first organization in the nation to be certified by the Michigan foundation as a Level III top-ranking economic-gardening provider. As a result of that certification, the UCF program was selected to work as part of Lowe’s National Strategic Research Team to help share techniques about economic gardening.

“What we’ve seen in Florida is an impressive capability and level of experience that fosters the growth of second-stage companies using the certified GrowFL team and the economic-gardening tools and techniques they are now deploying,” said Mark Lange, executive director of the foundation based in Cassopolis, Mich. “We want to harness the enthusiasm, energy and expertise of the UCF team to help other states and regions to implement an economic-gardening initiative and perhaps turn the corner during these difficult economic times.”

Working with the National Center for Economic Gardening, the UCF GrowFL team’s first assignment will be in Indiana, where the team will provide services for second-stage companies as part of the Elevate Ventures Economic Gardening Pilot Program. The services will include assistance in business strategy, market research, competitive analysis, web/social media strategy, and search engine optimization.

The Edward Lowe Foundation is providing GrowFL with $249,375 for six months of service, which will be provided by GrowFL’s staff and advisers.

“We are honored that the Edward Lowe Foundation is turning to UCF and the GrowFL team to help even more states and communities with their successful strategy of assisting growth-oriented companies to grow,” said Tom O’Neal, associate vice president for research & commercialization at UCF and executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute.

The institute’s GrowFL program has worked with more than 400 companies in Florida since 2009. An economic-impact study released in August found that GrowFL helped more than 300 companies create 3,285 jobs and has contributed more than $510.4 million to Florida’s economy. In September, state funding for the initiative ended and the program began working directly with communities to tailor offerings to meet the needs of their particular industries.

Florida Political and Governmental Newsmakers in 2011 – Florida Trend

growfl — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:00:50 +0000

These government and political leaders were exceptionally notable during the past year.

by Florida Trend Staff

TOM O’NEAL
Executive director, GrowFL, Orlando

Job Farmer

In a year when “jobs, jobs, jobs” was the dominant catchphrase, one group has delivered. In 2009, the state set up the Economic Gardening Technical Assistance pilot program, now known as GrowFL. The program helps so-called “second-stage” businesses with $1 million to $25 million in revenue and 10 to 50 workers that have demonstrated potential for growth and expansion in industries on the state’s target list. GrowFL provides various technical and educational assistance, including market research data, workshops, seminars and assistance with business strategy. A study last year found that since late 2009, GrowFL has contributed more than 1,400 direct jobs at more than 300 companies, which grew nearly 11% faster than similar companies that didn’t get help. The largest single category of jobs created was in the high-paying “technical and scientific” category. The study found GrowFL had generated nearly $19 million in state and local tax revenue beyond the $3.5 million cost of the technical assistance program. GrowFL — now managed under UCF’s Florida Economic Gardening Institute — is led by Executive Director Tom O’Neal, who is also associate vice president of research and commercialization at UCF; and Fran Korosec, director of client services for the Gardening Institute.

Tom O’Neal oversees GrowFL, which aids “second-stage” businesses. Since 2009, the program has helped create more than 1,400 jobs at 300-plus companies. [Photo: Brook Pifer]

Source: Florida Trend Article

Florida Companies to Watch Awards Shines Spotlight on Second-Stage Growth Companies – Accepting Nominations and Applications for 2012

growfl — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

(ORLANDO, FL.) – Building on a break-out inaugural year, the 2012 Florida Companies to Watch awards program returns to give second-stage businesses throughout Florida another opportunity to join a group of nationally recognized Companies to Watch honorees. This program celebrates growing second-stage companies headquartered in Florida and is presented by the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida, 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 program is held nationally in Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, expanding in 2012 to northeastern California and Washington state.

Demonstrating the incredible potential for Florida’s economic rebound, the 2011 class represents $419 million in total annual revenue, 1,972 fulltime 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 (in Florida and out of state), reflecting a 162 percent increase in revenue and 141 percent increase in jobs over five years. That translates into a 32 percent annual revenue growth and 28 percent annual growth in employees. * December 2010 data.

To be eligible for the award, a company must be a privately held, commercial enterprise that is currently in a stage of growth and past the start-up phase. Qualifying companies must also be headquartered in Florida, with six-99 full-time equivalent employees, and annual revenue in 2011 between $750,000- $50 million. Companies in all industries and across the state are invited to apply. The deadline to nominate a second-stage company is May 4, 2012. All nominees and companies seeking to apply directly must submit an application by May 18, 2012.

The companies selected as 2012 Florida Companies to Watch will be recognized at a special ceremony on Friday, October 19, 2012 at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida. Visit www.Florida.CompaniestoWatch.org or email FloridaCTW@edwardlowe.org for details. 2012 Sponsorships available, contact Christa Santos at 407-882-1576 or at christa@cksmarketing.com.

Edward Lowe Foundation – Web: www.EdwardLowe.org. Florida Economic Gardening Institute – Web: www.GrowFL.com.

Seminole County, UCF Partnering on Economic Gardening Initiative with Eye Towards Increasing Jobs

growfl — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:00:19 +0000

Dec. 5, 2011 – In an effort to simulate job creation and foster the development of emerging growth oriented companies , Seminole County and the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida today announced a partnership to offer an economic gardening program for qualified businesses in Seminole County. Seminole County’s investment in economic gardening augments previous investments made by UCF, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, and Orange County.

The initiative will provide specialized services and support for CEOs of second stage businesses. Second stage is generally defined by this initiative as for-profit businesses with headquarters in Seminole County with between 7 and 100 employees. The business must also provides product(s) and/or services within and beyond its current location to regional and/or international markets (physician’s offices, retail and restaurants may not qualify). Businesses that are interested in receiving services can apply at www.growfl.com.

“We recognize the value these businesses bring to our community and we are committed to offering proven tools to help them reach their potential,” said Bill McDermott, director of Economic Development for Seminole County.

Services provided by The Economic Gardening Institute at UCF are comparable to those of a Fortune 500 company’s market research department. Services include technical assistance in the areas of business strategy, market research, competitive analysis, web/social media strategy, and search engine optimization. These services are designed to help a company increase sales rapidly. With increased sales businesses will drive the creation of new jobs in the county. Additional services contemplated will include access to CEO Roundtables and special events specifically designed for CEO’s of second stage businesses.

The economic gardening institute’s signature GrowFL program has helped over 400 companies create more than 1,400 new jobs statewide since November 2009. In September state funding for the initiative ended and the program began working directly with communities to tailor offerings to meet the needs of their particular industries.

Seminole County is providing $50,000 for the initiative. UCF will in turn provide the economic gardening services as well as manage the application process on behalf of Seminole County. Technical Assistance services will be provided free of charge while costs for participation in CEO Roundtables will be shared by Seminole County and the participating business.

Several Seminole County companies took advantage of the state-funded GrowFL pilot program including Richard Sweat, president and CEO of .decimal Inc., a Sanford-based manufacturer of custom devices to target radiation therapy. He credited GrowFL with helping his company’s expansion into Japan and Canada. ”Not only has GrowFL provided invaluable market research for .decimal’s international expansion efforts, but they have also provided excellent networking opportunities with some of Florida’s top 2nd stage company CEO’s,” he said.

“We like nothing better than hearing about the success of our client companies,” said Tom O’Neal, Associate Vice President for Research and Commercialization at UCF and and Executive Director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute.

“Companies that receive support to grow in an area are more likely to stay in that area and in these tough economic times we want to help as many communities as possible keep their lifeblood,” he said.

For Questions Contact: Fran Korosec, Director of Client Services, Florida Economic Gardening Institute, fran@growfl.com.

New Seminole County, UCF Partnership to Help Create Jobs

growfl — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:00:12 +0000

By cbinette
Monday, December 5, 2011

To stimulate job creation and foster the development of emerging growth-oriented companies, Seminole County and the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida today announced a partnership to offer an economic gardening program for qualified businesses in Seminole County. The initiative will provide specialized services and support for CEOs of second-stage businesses. Second stage is generally defined by this initiative as for-profit businesses with headquarters in Seminole County with between 7 and 100 employees.

“We recognize the value these businesses bring to our community, and we are committed to offering proven tools to help them reach their potential,” said Bill McDermott, director of Economic Development for Seminole County.

Seminole County’s investment in economic gardening augments previous investments made by UCF, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council and Orange County.

Services provided by the Economic Gardening Institute at UCF are comparable to those of a Fortune 500 company’s market research department. Services include technical assistance in the areas of business strategy, market research, competitive analysis, web/social media strategy and search engine optimization. These services are designed to help a company increase sales rapidly. With increased sales, businesses will drive the creation of new jobs in the county.

Participants will also be eligible to participate in a CEO Roundtable to discuss business practices and management strategies with CEOs of second-stage businesses.

A participating business must provide product(s) and/or services within and beyond its current location to regional, national or international markets. Physicians’ offices, retail businesses and restaurants may not qualify. Businesses that are interested in receiving services can apply at www.growfl.com.

The Economic Gardening Institute’s signature GrowFL program has helped more than 400 companies create more than 1,400 new jobs statewide since November 2009. In September,1 state funding for the initiative ended, and the program began working directly with communities to tailor offerings to meet the needs of their particular industries.

Seminole County is providing $50,000 for the initiative. UCF will provide the economic gardening services and manage the application process. Technical assistance services will be provided free of charge, while costs for participation in CEO Roundtables will be shared by Seminole County and the participating businesses.

Several Seminole County CEOs and companies took advantage of the state-funded GrowFL pilot program. The group includes Richard Sweat, president and CEO of .decimal Inc., a Sanford-based manufacturer of custom devices to target radiation therapy. He credited GrowFL with helping his company expand into Japan and Canada.

“Not only has GrowFL provided invaluable market research for .decimal’s international expansion efforts, but they have also provided excellent networking opportunities with some of Florida’s top second-stage company CEOs,” he said.

“We like nothing better than hearing about the success of our client companies,” said Tom O’Neal, associate vice president for Research and Commercialization at UCF and executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute. “Companies that receive support to grow in an area are more likely to stay in that area, and in these tough economic times we want to help as many communities as possible keep their lifeblood.”

Mr. Shower Door announces name change and plans for expansion

growfl — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:00:51 +0000

Naples, Florida. (October 27, 2011) - One of Southwest Florida’s highly successful small businesses announced today they are renaming, rebranding and expanding. Mr. Shower Door of Florida will now be known as MY SHOWER DOOR to reflect their expansion plans in Florida. After more than twenty years in business, Mr. Shower Door’s owners and officers have decided to create and execute a bigger plan for future growth. The plan for the newly named MY SHOWER DOOR will also include additional jobs for Southwest Florida. The current name, Mr. Shower Door, is a licensed agreement with a Northern founding company. The new name, MY SHOWER DOOR, will be wholly owned by its Florida owners. This change will allow for expansion and job creation in Florida. Having to change their name and create a new identity, without losing focus on the core business of shower doors, has been a smooth transition for veteran business owners, the Daubmann family. “The new company name, MY SHOWER DOOR, will still carry the marketing tagline of – ‘Let’s make it your shower door.’ The new identity is fresh and alive and is more personal than the previous, nationally licensed one and includes the words ‘experience and perfection’ — which embodies the company’s mission and culture,” said co-owner, Bill Daubmann. “We are perfectly positioned to open more frameless shower door showrooms within Florida over the next two years as the business plan has been tested and proven in various markets elsewhere.” A beta test site (showroom business), using a similar business model as MY SHOWER DOOR, was opened this past year in the Midwest and has been exceeding projected income levels thus far. They are already planning to open an additional location in the near future. Locally, MY SHOWER DOOR has showrooms in Naples at Wiggins Pass and in Fort Myers next to the Bonefish Grille. A third location will be opening this December at the Expo on Clark in Sarasota. Along with the renaming and rebranding come expansion plans that will have an economic effect on Southwest Florida. To supply the product needed for each of the MY SHOWER DOOR locations, the Daubmann family has invested in a state-of-the-art glass manufacturing facility in Lee County. The subsidiary company, D3 Glass, was formed to augment the current capabilities. “The glass manufacturing company will supply the highest quality glass for use by all of the MY SHOWER DOOR locations, plus be able to meet the glass needs of other businesses. The facility is completely tooled with cutting, polishing and tempering machinery,” added Daubmann. “Additionally, D3 Glass will have the ability to cut, polish and sell mirrors, tabletops, stair railings and other high quality glass products used in a variety of applications other than shower doors.” MY SHOWER DOOR is expanding, both, vertically and horizontally. The vertical move is to open and expand locations; the horizontal move is to open the manufacturing plant to add jobs. Making this move for expansion in a challenging economic climate has created interest from other business owners and business leaders. The Daubmann family business has been successful in the past 10 years growing from three employees to the 23 that they currently employee. Their company has also been honored with awards locally, regionally and nationally with the most recent honor coming from the United States Small Business Administration’s award in 2010. The entire Daubmann family agrees they are prepared for additional growth and are on track to be one of the next high growth companies in Florida. In Naples, the MY SHOWER DOOR showroom is located at 13500 Tamiami Trail, Unit 8 and may be reached at 239-596-3255. The Fort Myers location is at 14261 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit 2 and is reachable at 239-337-3667. For more information about the new name, brand and expansion plans, please call Bill Daubmann or visit www.msdoorfl.com.

GrowFL Makes Local Impact

growfl — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 03:49:11 +0000

By Elizabeth M. Mack “Our company would not be what it is without GrowFL,” Arthur Aveling said about Magic Whiteboard Products, the young company that distributes a product with a new spin on the whiteboard. GrowFL helped the Avelings create a website for Magic Whiteboards, but also helped in identifying their market and how to reach that market effectively. “We would not have the same quality website or same focus of quality and targeted prospects that we have now,” Arthur Aveling said. “Our business has been growing every day. This is going to create jobs in Tallahassee. That’s what one of the goals of GrowFL is, and we are doing it.” For the rest of the article, head to Tallahassee.com