UF entrepreneurs honored at 2nd Annual Gator100 Awards
The University of Florida welcomed 57 new companies to the Gator100 family during the 2nd Annual Gator100 Awards on Friday at UF’s Reitz Union Grand Ballroom.
More than 500 guests attended the luncheon and awards ceremony where former U.S. Senator Bob Graham (BA ’59) was the keynote speaker.
The Gator100, presented by UF, the Warrington College of Business and its Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center, celebrates the world’s 100 fastest-growing businesses owned or led by UF alumni. Companies are ranked by compounded annual growth rate over the past three years.
The top-ranked company was Orangetheory Fitness, a Fort Lauderdale-based, fitness franchise, which had a compounded annual growth rate of 147.49 percent. Orangetheory Fitness was founded by Dave Long, an alumnus of UF’s College of Public Health & Health Professions (BHS ’00) and Warrington College of Business (MSM ’01).
Five companies, including Orangetheory Fitness, topped the 100% compounded annual growth rate mark. Boca Raton’s Orange and Blue Construction (137.44%), led by alumnus William Randle, Jr., was second, and LeadingAgile (130.09%), a financial services company based in Duluth, Ga., and led by engineering alumnus Mike Cottmeyer (BSCEN ’93), was third.
Cabinets.com (125.97%), led by Benjamin Gordon (BSBA ’04) and Christopher Larsen (BDES ’04), was fourth, and ProctorU (118.47%), an online proctoring service led by Matthew Jaeh (BS ’05) and alumnus Jarrod Morgan, ranked fifth.
The Warrington College of Business led all UF colleges with 37 companies represented by its alumni, including eight in the top 20. The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences was second with 23 companies, and the College of Design, Construction & Planning was third with 18. In all, 13 of UF’s 16 colleges were represented.
This year’s Gator100 celebrated its first-ever international honoree as Ctrip.com International, an online travel service provider based in Shanghai, finished 70th. The company is led by Co-President and Chief Operating Officer Jane Jie Sun (BSAc ’92).
Additionally, Infinite Energy received the Pinnacle Award, which recognizes established Gator-led businesses that have made a significant impact over time through job creation, revenue generation and innovation in their industries. Infinite Energy is led by Chief Executive Officer Darin Cook (BS ’87).
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.
