Savage Race Named 2015 Florida Company to Watch

Orlando, September 3, 2015 — Savage Race has been named one of the top 50 Florida companies expected to continue to see significant growth over the next several years. Savage Race was selected from more than 500 nominees for Florida Companies to Watch, a statewide program managed by economic development group GrowFL, in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation.

“We’re honored to be named a Company to Watch in Florida,” said Lloyd Parker, COO of Savage Race. “With strong ties to the central Florida area and our largest Savage Race taking place twice a year in Pasco County, it’s great to be recognized here. We continue to innovate and bring the world’s best obstacles to new parts of the country, but Florida will always be home and our participants and spectators here definitely represent what the Savage spirit is all about.”

Savage Race’s entrepreneurial management team, company culture, competitive market position and strong community involvement were among several factors that put them in contention for the award.

“These stand-out companies are all led by entrepreneurs, and have demonstrated their capacity and intent to grow,” said Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute and associate vice president for the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization. “This is a strong group of companies that deserve this special recognition given annually to the state’s top second stage companies.” Second-stage companies are defined as those with six to 99 full-time employees and between $750,000 and $50 million in annual revenue.

The 50 companies named the 2015 Florida Companies to Watch generated a total of more than $1.2 billion in revenue and added nearly 1,000 employees between 2011 and 2014. Together, the companies project a 23 percent increase in revenue and 19 percent increase in job growth in 2015.

About Savage Race

Savage Race, an Orlando, FL based premier obstacle course race featuring the world’s best obstacles, hosts more than a dozen events across the middle and eastern United States each year. Savage Race is a true test of courage and teamwork as over 100,000 attendees annually push themselves to their limits to defeat over 25 jaw-dropping obstacles forged with 65 tons of steel and drenched in 1.5 million gallons of water and 60,000 pounds of ice. Savage Race participants across the country train hard to complete the 5-7 mile race that tests stamina, strength, agility, and mental grit, culminating in victory stories and muddy hugs passed around amongst strangers and friends alike. To learn more about Savage Race, please visit www.savagerace.com.

About GrowFL

GrowFL provides strategies, resources and support, including strategic research and peer-to-peer CEO mentoring and leadership development, to second-stage Florida companies.  Created by the Florida legislature in 2009 and grounded in the philosophy of Economic Gardening® —  growing existing businesses in a community, region or state — GrowFL is a critical component of the state’s economic development strategy and Florida’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.  GrowFL is certified by the National Center for Economic Gardening through the Edward Lowe Foundation.  Website: growfl.com

About the Edward Lowe Foundation

Established in 1985, the Edward Lowe Foundation is a national, nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurship through research, recognition and educational programs, which are delivered through entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs).  The foundation focuses on second-stage companies — those that have moved beyond the startup phase and seek significant, steady growth. In addition, the foundation has a second mission of land stewardship and is committed to preserving the natural resources and historically significant structures at Big Rock Valley, its 2,600-acre home in southwest Michigan.

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