The Launch Pad Receives 2012 Florida Companies to Watch Award for 2nd Year in a Row

Aug. 28, 2012 - PRLog -- The Launch Pad has been recognized as a recipient of the 2012 Florida Companies to Watch award, an honor presented by the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida and SunTrust in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation.

Fifty companies from across the state of Florida will receive their awards at an awards gala on Friday, October 19 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida.
Florida Companies to Watch is an awards program that celebrates privately held second-stage companies headquartered in the state. To be eligible, applicants must employ between 6 and 99 full-time equivalent employees and have between $750,000 and $50 million in annual revenue or working capital in place. Awardees are selected for demonstrating the intent and capacity to grow based on employee or sales growth, exceptional entrepreneurial leadership, sustainable competitive advantage, outstanding corporate culture, inspired community giving and other notable strengths.
Among the honorees in 2012 is The Launch Pad.

"It's an absolute thrill to see our name here.  I have a ton of respect and admiration for the elite group of Florida companies that are on this list.  To be recognized by our home state is a huge honor." said The Launch Pad CEO Ilene Rosoff. "To me, being able to shine in the face of tough competition, constantly changing landscapes and a difficult economy is the mark of true perseverance.  To be part of this group of companies that embrace the values we hold dear at The Launch Pad is truly inspiring.”

About The Launch Pad

The Launch Pad helps companies in Florida and across the country use technology to more effectively grow, manage and protect their business. The Launch Pad’s RevITup™ Business Care Series offers a suite of managed technology and data protection services which include IT management, professional services.  Our RevITup Silver Cloud Series offers web, hosted and Cloud solutions managed by an award-winning 24x7x365 support team. Delivering expert technology support, our Client Solutions Team provides service nationwide from our beautiful offices in Odessa, Florida.

In 2010, The Launch Pad continued its expansion by introducing the first national managed IT services franchise. The franchise offers technology focused entrepreneurs a complete ―Business-in-a-Box™ model offering managed technology services for high-demand professionals such as law firms, CPAs, engineers and healthcare. For more information, visit www.launchpadonline.com.

About second-stage businesses and Florida Companies to Watch

Florida Companies to Watch is unique because of its focus on second-stage companies and the wide-ranging industries they represent. The impact of these companies on Florida’s economy is immense, and this year’s honorees are examples of such companies in the state. During 2007-2009, Florida’s resident companies averaged more than 110,000 second-stage establishments according to YourEconomy.org, an online resource of the Edward Lowe Foundation. Those second-stage companies employed nearly 2.5 million workers.

Looking at the contributions of these companies, nearly 6 percent of Florida’s resident establishments were in the second-stage category, however, they generated 31 percent of jobs in the state.

For more information: www.Florida.CompaniesToWatch.org and www.YourEconomy.org.
About the program presenters:

About the Florida Economic Gardening Institute / GrowFL

Initially created in 2009 as a pilot program, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute (GrowFL) at the University of Central Florida is now a permanent part of the economic development programs in Florida. The Institute focuses on efforts that support and strengthen Florida’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, entrepreneur support organizations and, through a variety of programs, help second-stage growth entrepreneurs prosper. Additional information is available at www.GrowFL.com.

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

SunTrust Banks, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the nation's largest banking organizations, serving a broad range of consumer, commercial, corporate and institutional clients.  As of March 31, 2012, SunTrust had total assets of $178.2 billion and total deposits of $130.0 billion.  The Company operates an extensive branch and ATM network throughout the high-growth Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states and a full array of technology-based, 24-hour delivery channels.  The Company also serves clients in selected markets nationally.  Its primary businesses include deposit, credit, trust and investment services.  Through various subsidiaries the Company provides mortgage banking, insurance, brokerage, investment management, equipment leasing and investment banking services. SunTrust's Internet address is suntrust.com.

About the Edward Lowe Foundation

The Edward Lowe Foundation inspired the creation of the Companies to Watch program to celebrate second-stage entrepreneurs and their companies. 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, visit www.EdwardLowe.org.