Campus Life

A gathering of successful Gators

The Warrington College of Business and its Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center will present the second annual Gator100 Awards Luncheon at noon on Feb. 19 at the Reitz Student Union Grand Ballroom. The entire UF community is invited.

The Gator100 ranks the 100 fastest-growing, Gator-owned or Gator-led businesses each year. The event allows UF and the entrepreneurial community to celebrate and engage with these successful Gators and learn about their innovative ventures.

“The Gator100 is a celebration of entrepreneurship across the UF campus,” said Nola Miyasaki, executive director, Outreach and Incubation at the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center. “We are excited to welcome back the Gator100 honorees to meet students and faculty, and network with each other.  The Gator100 honorees are true drivers of economic development and job creation in the U.S., as well as all over the globe.  We are proud of what they have achieved as entrepreneurs, and they serve as wonderful role models for the entire UF community.”

More than 600 guests attended last year’s inaugural event. All but one of UF’s 16 colleges were represented on the 2015 Gator100, which was led by SoloHealth, an Atlanta-based health wellness company founded by Warrington College of Business alumnus Bart Foster (BSBA ’97).  Companies from 13 U.S. states made last year’s list.

To be considered for the Gator100, companies must have been in business for five years or more as of Oct. 1, 2015, and have had verifiable annual revenues of $250,000 or more in 2012.

Additionally, a UF alumnus or alumni must have met one of the following three leadership criteria:

  • A University of Florida alumnus* or group of alumni must have owned 50% or more of the company from Jan. 1, 2012 through Oct. 1, 2015
  • A University of Florida alumnus must have served as the Company’s chief executive (for example: chairman, CEO, president or managing partner) from Jan. 1, 2012 through Oct. 1, 2015
  • A University of Florida alumnus must have founded the company and been active as a member of the most senior management team from Jan. 1, 2012 through Oct. 1, 2015.

A day and a half of entrepreneurial celebration is planned around the Gator100 Gala Awards Luncheon, including a welcome reception at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, a Startup Hour in downtown Gainesville – where local entrepreneurs can network with Gator100 honorees – and entrepreneurship breakout sessions.

Individual seats, preferred table seats and corporate sponsorships are still available. Certain tickets and sponsorships allow for access to the awards lunch and breakout sessions.

For more information, please contact Michelle Helmer, director of outreach, at michelle.helmer@warrington.ufl.edu or Nola Miyasaki, executive director of outreach and incubation, at nola.miyasaki@warrington.ufl.edu. You may also visit gator100.ufl.edu/events.asp to learn more.

 

Milenko Martinovich Author
February 4, 2016