Colorado Companies to Watch Award Nominations Now Open

DENVER, CO, December 4, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Since 2009, Colorado Companies to Watch (CCTW) has honored local 2nd-stage businesses for their remarkable contributions to our state. Recipients include The Grateful Bread Company (2015), Dry Dock Brewing (2014), Boulder Electric Vehicle, Inc. (2013), Coolerado (2010), Justin's Nut Butter (2009), Otterbox (2009), and hundreds of others.

Now entering its 8th year, CCTW is excited to announce that it is now accepting nominations and applications to honor 50 more 2nd-stage companies from across the state for developing valuable products and services, creating quality jobs, enriching communities, and creating new industries. Nominations are open until January 31, 2016, while companies may apply directly until February 19, 2016. The awards will be presented at the Gala Awards Dinner in June 2016.

"Second-stage companies hold a unique place in our economy. Through their leadership, innovation, and growth, they ignite our communities with potential beyond measure."

Sean Nohavec, CCTW Chairman of the Board and Senior Vice President, 2015 Presenting Sponsor UMB Bank

“Second-stage companies hold a unique place in our economy. Through their leadership, innovation, and growth, they ignite our communities with potential beyond measure,” said Sean Nohavec, CCTW Chairman of the Board and Senior Vice President, 2015 Presenting Sponsor UMB Bank. “They truly are fueling the economic fire in Colorado.”

CCTW is unique in that it offers Winners year-long benefits – not just a single night of celebration. Each Winner receives a year’s worth of benefits including media attention and exposure, facilitated local celebrations with key members in their communities, as well as exclusive access to a professional leadership retreat. Honorees also join an elite group of Alumni who meet and network throughout the year in addition to several other valuable opportunities.

“The Colorado Companies to Watch Awards not only recognize business innovation and entrepreneurial success, but also help these businesses to attract the attention of the investment community, potential partners, and qualified talent,” said David Tolson, CCTW Legacy Committee Chair and Managing Director, 2015 Platinum Sponsor CapitalValue Advisors.

Business owners, associates, employees, or fans can nominate eligible businesses and companies may also apply directly. The award nomination and application forms are available online at ColoradoCompaniestoWatch.org. In 2015, the program received over 1,000 nominations with 50 Winners ultimately chosen to join a powerful alumni network now 350-strong.

To be considered for selection as one of the 2016 Colorado Companies to Watch, the enterprise must meet the following for the year ending 2015:

• Be privately held (not publicly traded and not a subsidiary or division of another company)

• Be a commercial enterprise, not a nonprofit

• Be past the startup stage

• Be facing issues of growth, not survival

• Employ 6 to 99 full-time equivalent W-2 employees, including the owner

• Have between $750,000 and $50 million in annual revenue or working capital in place from investors or grants

• Be headquartered in the state of Colorado

• Have not won this award in the past

• Demonstrate the intent and capacity to grow based on evidence such as:

  • Employee or sales growth

  • Exceptional entrepreneurial leadership

  • Sustainable competitive advantage

  • Other notable factors that showcase the company's success

About Colorado Companies to Watch

Colorado Companies to Watch, presented by UMB Bank, is an awards program honoring 2nd-stage companies headquartered in the state of Colorado. The 350 companies that have been honored since the program’s inception demonstrate high performance in the marketplace or exhibit innovative products or processes. The program is designed to seek businesses from a wide range of industries throughout the state, not just the major metropolitan areas. The 50 companies selected each year make an astounding impact on Colorado's economy by collectively providing thousands of jobs and contributing millions of dollars in revenue. The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) launched the program in 2009 in conjunction with the Edward Lowe Foundation and valuable community partners from across Colorado.

For more information on Colorado Companies to Watch, visit ColoradoCompaniestoWatch.org, facebook.com/ColoradoCompaniestoWatch and Twitter @coloradoCTW.