GrowFL Celebrates Top 50 Second-Stage Companies in Florida
Duke Energy as Presenting Sponsor
GrowFL, the leading organization in supporting second-stage growth companies across Florida, is thrilled to recognize Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy Corporation, one of America’s largest energy holding companies, as the presenting sponsor of the 13th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Awards Celebration.
The event, which will take place on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at the Hard Rock Live, Universal CityWalk in Orlando, Florida, will honor 50 outstanding second-stage companies from throughout the state for their innovation, growth, and community impact.
“We are thrilled to have Duke Energy as the presenting sponsor of the 13th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Awards Celebration. Duke Energy is a true partner in supporting the growth and success of our second-stage companies, which are the backbone of Florida’s economy,” said Jennifer Taylor, GrowFL president and CEO. “We are grateful for their generosity and recognition of the achievements and contributions of these outstanding entrepreneurs. Their support is truly invaluable to making this event a success.”
Second-stage growth companies have at least 6 employees, $750K in revenue, and possess the intent and desire to grow. This small but mighty group of companies make up only 12% of the businesses in Florida yet create 34% of the jobs in our state.
In fact, from 2019 to 2022, the 13th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Honorees generated close to 2 billion dollars in revenue and created more than 870 jobs. These businesses, beyond their startup phase, play a significant role in boosting regional economies.
“Embracing the spirit of progress and innovation, Duke Energy is proud to support the 13th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch as the presenting sponsor. We believe that greatness deserves recognition, and we’re honored to play a part in celebrating the top growth companies in our state. By supporting these exceptional companies, we’re investing in the bold entrepreneurs who are paving the way for a brighter future and shaping Florida’s economy for generations to come,” said John Fremstad, Director of Innovation at Duke Energy Florida.
As an annual awards celebration since 2011, GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch celebrates growing second-stage companies headquartered in Florida. 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.” To date, 650 companies across the state have been recognized as Honorees.
Tickets are on sale for the 13th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Awards Celebration being held on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at the Hard Rock Live, Universal CityWalk in Orlando, Florida. Visit our website for more information and to register for the event here: https://growfl.com/about-growfl-flctw/
You can also view the full list of the 13th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Honorees here: https://growfl.com/13th-annual-growfl-florida-companies-to-watch-honorees-announced/
About Duke Energy Corporation
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 10,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 1.9 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600 people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2023 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and Forbes’ “World’s Best Employers” list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
About GrowFL
GrowFL, through our diverse programs and services, provides proven methods to help overcome unique challenges facing second-stage companies as they grow. Second-stage growth companies have at least 6 employees and $750,000 in revenue and possess the intent and desire to grow beyond second-stage. GrowFL is proud to serve Florida as the state’s only organization focused exclusively on supporting second-stage businesses.
About Edward Lowe Foundation: The Edward Lowe Foundation was established in 1985 by Ed and Darlene Lowe to leverage entrepreneurship as a strategy for economic growth and community development. The foundation’s entrepreneurship initiatives focus on second-stage companies, which are growth-oriented firms that have moved beyond startup but have not yet reached maturity. Its peer learning, leadership education, and strategic information programs are geared to help these companies continue growing. For more information, visit www.EdwardLowe.org.
