'Companies to watch': Two Mount Dora companies honored with statewide awards
GrowFL hosted its 13th annual awards gala last week in Orlando, honoring two Lake County-based, second-stage companies on their Companies to Watch list for this year.
Second-stage companies, by the way, are businesses that have grown past the startup stage. They typically employ 10 to 99 full-time employees and yearly revenue between $1 million and $50 million.
Mount Dora's Data Graphics Inc. and Optimus Energy Solutions were recognized at the annual GrowFL awards dinner, where the statewide organization recognized the top 50 businesses to watch in the state.
Optimus Energy Solutions, founded in 2018, provides solar energy and electric vehicle charging solutions. Data Graphics has been in the Lake County community for more than 35 years and services industries with nameplates/product identification and also helps increase the visibility of brand with promotions.
“We are grateful to be included alongside many innovative companies. In particular, we are thankful for the support we’ve received from our partners, vendors and clients over the years,” says Ben Pauluhn, president, Optimus Energy Solutions. “This sets a stage for us to grow throughout the state as the market for solar and electric vehicles continues to mature.”
A panel comprising past honorees, economic development leaders and corporate partners of GrowFL choose the finalists. Companies were judged on a number of criteria including growth in number of employees; impact of the business in the job market; increase in sales and/or unit volume; current and past financial reports; innovativeness of the product or service; response to adversity; and contributions to aid community-oriented projects.
In other Lake County awards news ... Meet the latest inductees into the Lake County Alumni Hall of Fame
Both companies have received positive reviews online. Of Data Graphics Inc., customer George Mangual posted on Facebook that that the company is "outstanding in my book — I would highly recommend them."
Data Graphics Inc. also earned Boeing’s Gold Supplier status for satisfying customers with "top-quality, technically excellent, affordable products, delivered on time." Also, in case you missed it, the company constructed the NASA-inspired playhouse in Habitat for Humanity's Jingle Build Off.
Optimus has been staying busy in the community too. The energy provider recently purchased the 100-plus-year-old building near Fifth Avenue and Grandview Street, investing in a full revitalization of the property to create office space. The planned addition of the chargers in the building’s parking lot more than doubles the number of chargers in Mount Dora.
"Optimus Solar is a great educational partner for businesses," wrote Nancy McCloskey on Google. "They presented relevant and accurate solar information to our real estate firm and have equipped us with knowledge we can use to better serve our clients."
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: 'Grateful to be included': 2 Mount Dora companies win top state awards
