Celebrate Michigan's Superstar Second-stage Companies

Submit your 2013 nominations now
Sign up for a 2013 application alert
(All candidates must submit an application. Companies may apply without being nominated).


Watch the official video shown at the 2011 Michigan Celebrates Small Business event. The second-stage companies featured here are members of the 2011 class of Michigan 50 Companies to Watch and represent the 50 outstanding businesses honored at the April 2011 event.

Michigan 50 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 corporate culture.

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. The official eligibility criteria contains more details.

Companies in all industries are sought. Candidates may be nominated or apply directly, and all companies must complete an application.

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 Michigan 50 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 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch on May 3, 2012 at the Lansing Center.
NOMINATE A COMPANY REQUEST AN APPLICATION ALERT CELEBRATE AT THE AWARDS EVENT

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

In 2008, Michigan's resident companies amounted to more than 56,000 second-stage establishments. These second-stage companies employed more than 1.3 million workers — that's nearly 35 percent of the jobs created by 8.7 percent of the companies headquartered in the state!

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.
 According to a local host and nominator . . .

Jennifer Deamud "The SBTDC serves nearly 16,000 small business owners and entrepreneurs every year. We nominate SBTDC clients that are on a growth path and creating jobs.

About one-third of Companies to Watch honorees are SBTDC clients, so the program definitely helps validate what our organization is doing. In addition, our clients view the SBTDC as their trusted resource for growing their businesses, receiving a Companies to Watch award strengthens this client view of the SBTDC.

The program also gives us a list of potential new clients to reach out to and see if our services can help them."

— Jennifer Deamud, associate state director at the Michigan SBTDC (managing partner of Michigan Celebrates Small Business)
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 Michigan Celebrates Small Business 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.
  • Profile of your company in a full-color commemorative magazine. You'll receive 20 copies of the magazine.
  • Invitation to join a Michigan PeerSpectives® Network roundtable if offered in your local area.
  • Join a group of 300 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 . . .

Nawal Motawi"Being an honoree has definitely helped increase our visibility. We've won industry awards for certain projects and a local award for fast-growing businesses, which gave us some recognition in the community. Companies to Watch has helped our visibility at the state level. The awards ceremony itself was quite moving. When you're in business, there aren't many moments like that when you're recognized for just doing what you do."

— Nawal Motawi, president and co-owner of Motawi Tileworks Inc. in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan 50 class of 2008)

Lee Rouse of OmniTech "Being a Companies to Watch honoree has raised our visibility with peers both locally and nationally, and it's increased confidence with our customer base. I also think the award sparked some important introspection. It's prompted us to look back and see what we're really good at — at how we can expand into new areas with our strengths."

— Lee Rouse, president and CEO of Omni Tech International, Ltd. in Midland, Mich. (Michigan 50 class of 2008)

Michigan 50 Companies to Watch is presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business in association with its founders: Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Small Business Association of Michigan, the U.S. Small Business Administration - Michigan, the Greater Lansing Business Monthly, and the Edward Lowe Foundation.

Michigan Celebrates Small Business is made possible by PNC Bank, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Comcast Business Class, DTE Energy Foundation, Varnum Attorneys at Law, Michigan Credit Union League & Affiliates, Michigan Certified Development Corporation, Accident Fund Insurance Company of America and Dynamic Edge.