Fiberstar Honored as One of the 2010 “Wisconsin Companies to Watch”

March 5, 2010

River Falls, WI – Fiberstar has been recognized as one of the thirty 2010 “Wisconsin  Companies to Watch,” an awards program presented by the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Network (WEN) with support from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce and the Division of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (DEED) at the University of Wisconsin-Extension in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation.

 

Wisconsin companies to watch recognizes companies at the crucial stage of growth where financial potential, concept and management have been established, and attracting talented workers, solid vendor relationships and access to peer learning are key components of future growth,” added Gayle Kugler.  The Edward Lowe Foundation’s studies have shown second-stage companies are the ones who generate jobs and economic growth in their communities.

 

Companies making it to the Wisconsin Companies to Watch list are a remarkable group of second-stage companies. Defined as having 6 to 99 full-time-equivalent employees and generating $750,000 to $50 million in annual revenue or working capital from investors or grants, these companies form the back-bone of Wisconsin’s economy. Representing all regions of the state and a diverse range of industries, companies like Fiberstar are known for their exceptional entrepreneurial leadership, creation of innovation or use of innovation in creative ways, and their sustainable competitive advantage.

 

During 2005-2007, Wisconsin's resident companies averaged more than 33,500 second-stage establishments, according to YourEconomy.org, an online resource of the Edward Lowe Foundation. Those second-stage companies employed more than 800,000 workers (that's 36.7 percent of the jobs created by companies headquartered in the state).

 

Winners were selected by judges from the banking, economic development, entrepreneurial and angel communities.