Finalists Announced for the 12th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Companies now in the running to be selected as an Honoree for this year’s award

(SARASOTA, FL) – Diversified Material Specialists, Inc. (DMSI) International was among the first round of the 12th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Finalists recently announced.  The awards event – now in its twelfth year – honors impressive second-stage companies from throughout the state for developing valuable products and services, creating quality jobs, enriching communities, and broadening new industries throughout Florida. The 12th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Awards Celebration is brought to you by Nperspective CFO & Strategic Services, in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation.

Together, the 12th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Finalists represent nearly 2,000 jobs and generate over $430 million in revenue. These companies, all of which are “worth watching,” anticipate a growth of 40 percent in revenue and 18 percent in employment by the end of 2022. 

“I’m a woman of faith and always big with faith. I consider each day a gift, an opportunity, and a privilege. DMSI is a unique company in every aspect of the word ‘unique’. We are visionaries; a company built by people who are dedicated and determined to not let the things we do not have, be determined by the possibilities of what we could have. At DMSI, we don’t just manufacture cables; we create the solution.” Said Jeneth D’Alonzo, CEO of DMSI International.

The Finalists were selected from close to 300 nominations across the state and are now in the running to be named a GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Honoree.  If selected as an Honoree, these exemplary second-stage companies will join the 550 second-stage companies across the state that have been recognized since 2011.

“This group of business owners represents the remarkable second-stage businesses operating across the state of Florida,” said Jennifer Taylor, President, and CEO of GrowFL. “They demonstrate the agility, perseverance, and innovation needed to take their business to the next level. GrowFL is proud to support Florida’s second-stage entrepreneurs and help to play a part in recognizing their success.  We look forward to celebrating these innovative companies as they continue to grow and have a significant impact on Florida’s economy.”

GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Finalists represent a unique group of scalable, high-growth enterprises that are already located within Florida. To qualify for the award, companies must have between 6 and 150 employees and revenue between $750,000 and $100 million in 2021.

Companies to Watch was developed by the Edward Lowe Foundation as a unique way to recognize and honor second-stage companies that demonstrate high performance in the marketplace with innovative strategies and processes. In addition to evaluating past growth and projected success, applicant companies are judged according to their special strengths and impact in their markets, communities, and within the state – thus deeming them “worth watching.”

The Honorees for this year’s award will be announced in October. The 12th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch awards celebration will take place on February 23, 2023, at Hard Rock Live, Universal City Walk, Orlando, FL. For more information, visit https://growfl.com/about-growfl-flctw/

About DMSI International:

Diversified Material Specialists, Inc. (DMSI) International is an ISO-approved manufacturer with a focus on world-class excellence in delivering fiber optic connectivity products. Our unique concept of Owning the Core® of our business gives us the latitude to develop, engineer, and produce quality products at competitive pricing.

For over 25 years, DMSI has been steadily building a solid customer base across the globe delivering a simple and highly focused manufacturing solution for our customers. Our business strategy revolves around the concept of a totally diversified manufacturing company providing integrated solutions to our clients.

About GrowFL:  

GrowFL is dedicated to support and accelerate the growth of second-stage companies throughout Florida, by providing their leaders focused, efficient, and timely access to resources they deem important, such as connections with other second-stage company leaders, and professional organizations whose expertise, experience, and products lead to the second-stage company’s continued growth and prosperity resulting in diversification and growth of Florida’s economy.  Second-stage growth companies have at least 6 employees and $750,000 in revenue and possess an intent and desire to grow beyond second-stage.  Website: https://www.growfl.com

About the Edward Lowe Foundation:  

The Edward Lowe Foundation was established in 1985 by Ed and Darlene Lowe to leverage entrepreneurship as a strategy for economic growth and community development. The foundation’s entrepreneurship initiatives focus on second-stage companies, which are growth-oriented firms that have moved beyond startup but have not yet reached maturity. Its peer learning, leadership education, and strategic information programs are geared to help these companies continue growing. For more information, visit www.EdwardLowe.org.