Contact:
Bill Rubin/Jacki Bradham
St. Croix EDC
715-381-4383
In mid-October, the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Network (WEN) announced that it was accepting nominations for its Wisconsin Companies to Watch awards. WEN created this award, through the Edward Lowe Foundation, to honor second-stage companies that demonstrate high performance in the marketplace, exhibit innovative products, services, or processes, or otherwise make their company “worth watching.” By definition, second-stage companies employ at least six people, are privately owned, and have between $750,000 and $50 million in annual revenue.
The 2010 list of Companies to Watch included Interfacial Solutions, LLC and Fiberstar, Inc., both of River Falls (St. Croix County), Wisconsin. Interfacial Solutions is a privately held materials development and technology transfer company. It assists plastics-related companies address technological challenges by providing effective solutions that utilizes Interfacial’s expertise in materials science. Last August, Interfacial Solutions was ranked #304 on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. for 2010. St. Croix EDC honored Interfacial as its 2006 Emerging Business of the Year. Fiberstar is a privately-owned research and development company that focuses on improving food freshness and nutrition through technological innovation. Fiberstar holds an exclusive worldwide license for patented bio-technology. The company operates a pulp processing facility in Florida and a second is planned in Brazil. Fiberstar sells its products in more than 50 countries through a global network of domestic brokers and international distributors. Effective August 1st, Fiberstar’s research and development business unit and its portfolio of intellectual property had been spun off into Fiberstar Bio-Ingredient Technologies, Inc. (“Fiberstar Bio”).
The Wisconsin Companies to Watch program seeks businesses and industries representing all areas of the state, not just those in major metropolitan areas. Applicant companies are judged according to their special strengths, in addition to past growth and projected success. These strengths revolve around innovative products and business practices, special use of technology, work within the community and more.
“This program has proven its ability to help companies that have reached that all-important second stage of growth,” said Department of Commerce Secretary Aaron Olver. “We’re pleased to join the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Network (WEN) in sponsoring this competition.”
“Except for Interfacial Solutions and Fiberstar, the 2010 list of Wisconsin Companies to Watch was dominated by Madison-Milwaukee businesses,” said William Rubin, executive director of St. Croix EDC (St. Croix County, Wisc.). “Interfacial Solutions and Fiberstar are rising technology stars in west central Wisconsin. We anticipate additional companies from St. Croix County to make the 2011 list.”
The deadline to submit a nomination is December 10, 2010. Companies may nominate themselves. Once nominated, companies interested in vying for the award must submit an application, which will be accepted until January 14, 2011. The companies selected as 2011 Wisconsin Companies to Watch will be recognized at an event set for Thursday, May 5, 2011 at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison.
For further information, visit http://www.WisconsinCompaniesToWatch.org or contact Cathy Sullivan at wisconsinctw@lowe.org.
