Celebrate Wisconsin's Second-Stage Companies!

2012 sponsorship opportunities are available now

Submit your 2013 nominations now
Sign up for a 2013 application alert

CAPTURING THE EXCITEMENT OF WISCONSIN COMPANIES TO WATCH
The Functional Biosciences team celebrates
The Functional Biosciences team celebrates being named one of the Wisconsin Companies to Watch of 2011. Wisconsin Companies to Watch is an awards program that discovers and celebrates the second-stage companies that make an impact in their markets, in their communities and in the state. We are seeking companies known for their marketplace performance, innovation, philanthropy and empowered employees.

Eligibility: Candidates must be privately held, commercial enterprises with the intent and capacity for further growth. Companies must employ between 6 and 99 full-time equivalent employees and have between $750,000 and $50 million in annual revenue (including working capital from investors or grants) in the calendar year 2011.

Companies in all industries are sought. Candidates may be nominated or apply directly, and all companies must complete an application. The eligibility criteria page contains more.

Nominate Apply Celebrate
Ready to nominate a company for the 2013 award? Get started now.

Not ready to nominate? Sign up for a nomination alert and we'll let you know when it's time to come back.

 Don't miss an opportunity to become one of the Wisconsin Companies to Watch for 2013. We'll let you know when the application process opens for the next program—sign up for information below. Attend the official festivities honoring the 2012 Wisconsin Companies to Watch on May 17, 2012 at the Milwaukee Marriott West in Pewaukee, Wisconsin.
NOMINATE A COMPANY REQUEST AN APPLICATION ALERT CELEBRATE AT THE AWARDS EVENT

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.
 According to CTW supporters . . .

Brian CurryA past winner: "PhysioGenix has received other awards, and outside recognition is always a good feeling. Yet Companies to Watch was different. This was our first award that I felt was driven by people who really know what we're going through. It hits home with something I truly believe in: second-stage companies. In economic-development circles you see a lot of focus on communities either trying to help startups — or trying to attract large manufacturing plants to their region. Companies to Watch fills a gap no one else is paying attention to: the companies creating jobs that are here to stay."
— Brian Curry, president and CEO of PhysioGenix in Milwaukee (2010 Companies to Watch alum)

A nominator and sponsor: "Helping second-stage companies may not be as glamorous as showing up at ribbon cuttings and ground breakings, but when you start looking at the numbers and a community's best opportunities for economic growth, there is a pretty compelling business case for the return on investment you achieve by investing in the development of second-stage businesses."
— Todd Battle, president of the Kenosha Area Business Alliance in Kenosha, Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin Companies to Watch gala, which is the premier 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 Wisconsin PeerSpectives® Network roundtable if offered in your local area.
  • Join a group of 62 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.
 According to two winners . . .

Roy Elkins"Being a Companies to Watch honoree has brought Broadjam a lot of credibility. It seems like every time I get together with other business leaders, someone brings it up. Whether we're selling, recruiting or funding, the increased recognition from this award is helpful."
— Roy Elkins, founder and CEO of Broadjam Inc. in Madison (2010 Companies to Watch alum)

Srini Kalluri"The application process really makes you think about why your company is unique. And that's important because when your business is growing quickly, you don't always step back and look at bigger patterns. The application provided the opportunity to answer subjective questions about your company's competitive edge, which prompts you to think about how you could refine it."
— Srini Kalluri, Founder, President & CEO, Forte Research Systems, formerly PercipEnz Technologies, in Madison (2010 Companies to Watch alum)

Wisconsin Companies to Watch is presented by the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Network (WEN) with support from the Wisconsin SBDC Network, Wisconsin Department of Commerce and the Division of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (DEED) at the University of Wisconsin-Extension in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation.