March 17, 2008
Indiana Companies to Watch program will recognize state's top second-stage companies
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - |
Purdue University is partnering with the Indiana governor's office, Indiana Economic Development Corp. and its Small Business Development Center Network, KeyBank in Central Indiana, and the Edward Lowe Foundation for the inaugural awards. The first group of winners will be announced Aug. 28 during a recognition ceremony at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.
"Many second-stage companies fly under the radar screen of typical awards programs," said Alan H. Rebar, executive director of Purdue's Discovery Park. "Through Indiana Companies to Watch, we will honor companies that demonstrate high performance in the marketplace, exhibit innovative products or processes, or otherwise make those companies worth watching."
To be nominated, companies must be based in Indiana, privately held, advanced beyond the startup phase, employ six to 150 full-time employees including the owner, and have $750,000 to $100 million in annual revenue or working capital in place from investors or grants.
Nominations are due April 18 and can come from an outside source or companies can self-nominate. To nominate a company or to get more information on the program, go to https://Indiana.CompaniesToWatch.org. Those nominated will receive an e-mail with instructions to complete an online application by May 2.
"This recognition program will showcase businesses from a wide range of industries representing all regions of Indiana, not just in major metropolitan areas," said Jeff Heinzmann, director of the Indiana Small Business Development Center Network. "Across Indiana, all business is local, and this awards program will put the spotlight on businesses and manufacturers in the state that are the true job creators."
The Edward Lowe Foundation, based in Cassopolis,
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"Indiana Companies to Watch celebrates an important business group - second-stage companies that have moved beyond the startup phase and are focused on significant, steady growth," Lange said. "Second-stage companies are a critical source of new jobs and innovation. Yet good news doesn't always make the headlines, so it's important to find ways to recognize the contributions of these companies. That's what expanding the Companies to Watch into Indiana is all about."
Winners will be selected by a panel of judges picked by the Indiana Economic Development Corp., Purdue and the Edward Lowe Foundation.
Applicants will be judged on past growth and projected
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The Purdue team supporting the program includes representatives from the Purdue Center for Regional Development and the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship in Discovery Park, the College of Agriculture, Krannert School of Management, Purdue Alumni Association, Purdue Cooperative Extension Service and Purdue Research Park.
Purdue Research Park is home to the largest university-affiliated business incubator complex in the nation. Within the park, more than 140 businesses, of which more than 90 are high-tech, employ more than 3,000 people. The Association of University Research Parks recognized Purdue Research Park for Excellence in Technology Transfer in 2005, and the park received the organization's Research/Science Park Company of the Year Award of Excellence in 2004.
The Indiana Small Business Development Center offers free and low-cost information, management counseling and educational services to support the state's small-business owners and potential entrepreneurs, boosting economic development and creating jobs within the state.
The late Edward Lowe, the inventor of Kitty Litter, and his wife Darlene established the Edward Lowe Foundation in 1985. They envisioned an organization that would leverage entrepreneurship as a strategy for economic growth and community development.
Writer: Phillip Fiorini, (765) 496-3133, pfiorini@purdue.edu
Sources:Alan H. Rebar, (765) 496-3223, rebar@purdue.edu
Jeff Heinzmann, (317) 234-2086, jheinzmann@iedc.in.gov
Mark Lange, (800) 232-5693, info@lowe.org
Gary Hentschel, (317) 464-8034, gary_hentschel@keybank.com
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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