Celebrating North Carolina's Second-Stage Companies

Nominate candidates for the 2012 award!

Nominate now before the February 27, 2012 deadline
Apply before the March 12, 2012 deadline
(All candidates must submit an application. Companies may apply without being nominated).

CAPTURING THE EXCITEMENT OF COMPANIES TO WATCH


Twenty-five North Carolina Companies to Watch awardees were honored at a Sept. 21 event. Take a look at the companies representing scientific research and development lines of business.

Growing second-stage businesses statewide have the opportunity to join an elite group of nationally recognized companies by applying for North Carolina Companies to Watch, an awards program that celebrates second-stage companies throughout the state of North Carolina.

Eligibility: Qualifying companies must be headquartered in North Carolina, employ between 6 and 99 employees, and have between $750,000 and $50 million in annual revenue. More eligibility info is available. Companies in all industries are invited to apply. Candidates may be nominated or apply directly — have your say on which second-stage companies are represented on the North Carolina Companies to Watch stage.
Nominate Apply Celebrate
Nominate a second-stage company for the 2012 North Carolina Companies to Watch award. Companies may apply without being nominated.

Nomination deadline:
February 27, 2012

Find out if your company meets the eligibility criteria. All companies, including nominees, must submit an application to be considered.

Application deadline:
March 12, 2012

Attend the official festivities honoring the 2012 North Carolina Companies to Watch. The event will be held on June 7, 2012 in Raleigh Marriott City Center in downtown Raleigh.
NOMINATE A COMPANY APPLY CELEBRATE AT THE AWARDS EVENT

WHY SUPPORT SECOND-STAGE COMPANIES?
These companies are powerhouses for job creation.

During 2006-2008, Florida's resident companies averaged more than 111,500 second-stage establishments. Second-stage businesses comprise only 6 percent of the establishments in the state but represent more than 2.5 million workers — that's 31.6 percent of the jobs being created by 6 percent of the companies headquartered in the Florida. Source: YourEconomy.org, an online resource of the Edward Lowe Foundation		 According to a venture capitalist . . .
"We think second-stage growth companies are a great opportunity. They allow you to skip the risk involved with early-stage companies that haven't sold a product yet. The likelihood of a second-stage company becoming more successful and creating a substantial number of new jobs is significantly higher than for a pre-revenue company."

— Jeff Barry, partner of Plymouth Management Co. in Ann Arbor, Mich., which manages the Plymouth Venture Partners and Plymouth Venture Partners II funds.
WHY NOMINATE A SECOND-STAGE COMPANY?
If you serve second-stage companies, remind your clients that you applaud their achievements — and that you want others to take notice as well.

Ideal nominators include services providers such as attorneys, accountants and bankers; PR professionals; economic development practitioners; employees, customers and vendors of great second-stage firms; or anyone who knows of a second-stage company.

    What's in it for nominators?
  • Service providers provide outstanding service to their clients, but unless you also promote these companies, you are not doing everything you can to support their growth.
  • Put your community on the map. If your organization operates regionally, support the economic development in your community by nominating companies headquartered in your territory.
  • Nominations can be submitted anonymously and are appreciated as much as those from named nominators.
  • Don't know your candidate's exact employee count or revenue? Nominate that company anyway — your nominee can decide if they are eligible before applying.
  • All nominees must submit an application, but many forget to do so. We will send you a reminder to "nudge" your nominee before the application deadline.
WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY?
This award puts second-stage companies on an entirely different playing field. Here's a short list of winner benefits:
  • The exposure winners receive has no dollar equivalent. A statewide media campaign will be conducted with outreach to the state's major press outlets as well as regional media and industry press.
  • Taking notice are: The business press, potential business partnerships, the financial community (banks, VCs, angels), potential employees (smart recruits want to work for a winning enterprise), current employees (who respond with pride and renewed vigor).
  • Special recognition at the North Carolina Companies to Watch event, which has come to be known as an outstanding networking event for entrepreneurs and supporters of entrepreneurship in the state. Winning companies receive two complimentary tickets (additional seats or tables are available for purchase).
  • A beautiful crystal trophy inscribed with your company's name.
  • An exclusive Companies to Watch press kit containing a winner's graphic and press release template.
  • Invitation to join a CEO roundtable if offered in your local area.
  • Join a group of 50 second-stage peers who have won the award in the past.
  • Earn a chance to attend an Edward Lowe Foundation leaders retreat with CTW winners from other states.

North Carolina Companies to Watch is presented by CED in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation.

North Carolina Companies to Watch Event Title Sponsor

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