Small Business IT Services Provider, The Launch Pad Named One of 50 Florida Companies to Watch in 2011

Odessa, FL, January 26, 2011 --(PR.com)-- The Launch Pad has been named a winner of the 2011 Florida Companies to Watch, an award recognizing companies that positively impact Florida’s future. The accolade was presented to fifty companies from 18 Florida counties, earning a place in Florida’s “Companies to Watch” inaugural class.

Presented by GrowFL, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida and ACG Florida, in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation and funding support from The Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, Companies to Watch recognizes growing, second-stage companies that demonstrate high performance in the market place and exhibit innovative products or processes. This year Florida Companies to Watch attracted 319 nominees and 109 companies were selected as finalists.

"It's a thrill to be on the list and in the company of an elite group of Florida companies that we admire," said The Launch Pad CEO Ilene Rosoff. "Innovation, managed growth and forward momentum are values we hold dear at The Launch Pad. To be recognized by our home state is a huge honor."

Award recipients were selected by a panel of judges representing areas of economic development, banking, entrepreneurship and small business. In addition to being evaluated on past growth and projected success, applicants are also judged on revenue, leadership, innovation, philanthropy and human resources.

The Launch Pad provides a suite of IT management and support services, including hosting, data backup and virtualization solutions. With this latest designation The Launch Pad finds itself with a growing trophy case of awards. In 2010, for the 2nd straight year, the company was lauded by Inc 5000 and Tampa Fast 50.

About Florida Companies to Watch
Florida Companies to Watch is unique because of its focus on second-stage companies and the wide-ranging industries they represent. The impact of these companies on Florida’s economy is immense, and this year’s honorees are examples of such companies in the state. During 2006-2008, Florida’s resident companies averaged more than 111,000 second-stage establishments according to YourEconomy.org, an online resource of the Edward Lowe Foundation. Those second-stage companies employed more than two million workers.

Looking at the contributions of these companies, only 6 percent of Florida’s resident establishments were in the second-stage category, however, they generated more than 31 percent of net new jobs in the state.

The Inaugural Class of Florida Companies to Watch will be celebrated at a gala event on Thursday, February 17th at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida.

About The Launch Pad
The Launch Pad assists small and mid-sized organizations in Florida and across the country to use and manage technology more effectively in their business. The Launch Pad’s RevITup™ Business Care Series offers a suite of managed technology and data protection services which include IT management, professional services and Web services backed by a 24x7x365 support team. Our Client Solutions Team delivers expert technology support and service nationwide from our beautiful new service center in Odessa, Florida.

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