FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nominations and Applications Open for Business
Awards Program
INDIANAPOLIS (Feb.18, 2013) - Nominations and applications for the sixth annual Indiana Companies to
Watch awards program, highlighting some of the state's most impressive second-stage growth
companies, opens today.
Presented by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, its Indiana Small Business Development
Center (ISBDC) and the Edward Lowe Foundation, Indiana Companies to Watch recognizes privately
held Indiana businesses that employ six to 150 full-time employees and have between $750,000 to $100
million in annual revenue or capital.
"Companies to Watch highlights high-growth, homegrown Hoosier businesses that make up the
foundation of our economy," said Eric Doden, president of the Indiana Economic Development
Corporation. "Small businesses are not only an essential part of Indiana's story, but critical to building a
stronger future for our state and creating more careers for Hoosiers. We look forward to recognizing this
year's rising companies."
Anyone may nominate an eligible business or apply for the awards by completing the online application
forms at indiana.companiestowatch.org. A panel of judges will review the applications and select the
companies to receive the awards based on past growth, projected success, innovation, technology
application, company culture, community involvement and other factors. Nominations will be accepted
through March 29. Nominees must complete an application by April 19. Companies may also bypass the
nomination process and submit an application on their own behalf.
"We view Companies to Watch as essential to the economic development efforts in the state of Indiana,"
said Marcus Chandler, partner and co-chair of Barnes & Thornburg VentureTech Practice Group. "We
believe that Companies to Watch's high growth middle market companies will be the leading job creators
for our state in the long haul."
Winners of the awards will be recognized during an August awards dinner at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in
Indianapolis.
Companies to Watch was developed by the Cassopolis, Mich.-based Edward Lowe Foundation. The
foundation hosts similar programs in other states.
"Now in its sixth year, Indiana Companies to Watch is more than a mere trophy on the shelves of
honorees," says Penny Lewandowski, vice president of entrepreneurship and strategic growth at the
Edward Lowe Foundation. "Because of its reputation for recognizing excellence in Indiana's most
successful second-stage companies, Companies to Watch puts awardees on the map, often opening
doors to funders and new business partnerships."
About IEDC
Created in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is
governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Mike Pence. Victor Smith serves as the Indiana Secretary of
Commerce and Eric Doden is the president of the IEDC.
The IEDC oversees programs enacted by the General Assembly including tax credits, workforce training grants and
public infrastructure assistance. All tax credits are performance-based. Therefore, companies must first invest in
Indiana through job creation or capital investment before incentives are paid. A company who does not meet its full
projections only receives a percentage of the incentives proportional to its actual investment. For more information
about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
About the ISBDC
The Indiana Small Business Development Center is an Indiana Economic Development Corporation program funded
in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Through 10 regional centers,
the ISBDC provides free and low-cost business advising and assistance to small businesses at any stage of
development. For more information about the ISBDC, visit www.isbdc.org.
About the Edward Lowe Foundation
The foundation is a Michigan-based nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurship through recognition,
education and research with a focus on second-stage companies-those that have moved beyond the startup phase
and seek significant, steady growth.
About Indiana Companies to Watch
Indiana Companies to Watch is an Awards Program Celebrating Second-Stage Entrepreneurs presented by the
Indiana Economic Development Corporation and its Small Business Development Centers in association with the
Edward Lowe Foundation. Sponsors include Barnes & Thornburg, Katz Sapper & Miller, Key Bank and Ivy Tech
Corporate College.
-30Media Contact:
Katelyn Hancock (IEDC) - 317.234.2294 or kahancock@iedc.in.gov