The Everest Blog

ORLANDO, October 11, 2022 – Everest Ice and Water Systems has been named one of 50 honorees in the 12th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Awards. Everest now joins an exclusive and diverse network of more than 550 companies statewide named previous honorees since 2011.

“We are thrilled to be in the top 50 ‘Companies to Watch’ in Florida,” says Gilbert Ramirez Jr., Marketing Manager at Everest. “We look forward to joining a robust group of corporations with a like-minded attitude to innovate and succeed.”

Companies to Watch was developed by the Edward Lowe Foundation as a unique way to recognize and honor second-stage companies that demonstrate high performance in the marketplace with innovative strategies and processes. In addition to evaluating past growth and projected success, applicant companies are judged according to their special strengths and impact in their markets, communities, and within the state – thus deeming them worth watching.

To qualify for the award, companies must be headquartered in Florida and have between 6 and 150 and revenue between $750,000 and $100 million. This year, the award attracted over 400 nominations, 66 of which were selected as finalists. From 2018 through 2021, these companies generated $1 billion in revenue and added 881 employees, reflecting a 96% increase in revenue and a 104% increase in jobs for the four-year period. 

These companies projected continued growth in 2022, with a 40% revenue increase and a 20% growth in employees compared to 2021. If their projections hold, these companies will have generated $1.5 billion in revenue and added 1,233 employees over the last five years. 

Everest has been recognized in several reputable and influential awards on local, regional, and national levels. These awards include, but are not limited to, the 2022 Gator100 Awards, the 2022 Orlando Inno Fire Awards, and ranking for two consecutive years on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the country.

Everest’s rapid growth has been substantial over the past couple of years alone. Since the beginning of 2021, the company has expanded its workforce by 183%, gaining the considerable workspace needed to accommodate the additional staff. Everest exceeded its annual sales goal last year by 149% and has already this year surpassed the total number of machines sold in 2021 by 88% – with a quarter of the year still left. 

“These are some of the most vibrant and dedicated entrepreneurs in our state. They are the champions that keep our communities strong by stimulating the economy, keeping the workforce employed, and giving back in ways that will change the course of our state for years to come. Like all the classes before them, this class of GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch honorees truly embody success and I know they’re only getting started,” says Dr. Tom O’Neal, GrowFL founder.

Honorees will be recognized at the awards celebration which will take place at the Hard Rock Live at Universal CityWalk in Orlando, FL. from 5 pm to 10 pm on February 23, 2023. You can learn more, or register for the event, here: https://growfl.com/about-growfl-flctw/

You can see the full list of honorees here: https://growfl.com/congratulations-finalists/ 

About Everest Ice and Water Systems 

Manufacturing equipment with a focus on innovating the industry since 2008, Everest Ice and Water Systems has engineered the most revolutionary ice and water vending machine on the market. Their patented VersaVend one-moving-part dispensing system leads to less maintenance, higher efficiency, and more than 7 million jam-free vends around the world – and counting. At Everest, their motto is “Always Climbing” because they work hard to enrich people’s lives and ensure their machine owners can earn a truly passive income. For more information, visit www.everesticeandwater.com. 

About GrowFL 

GrowFL is dedicated to support and accelerate the growth of second-stage companies throughout Florida, by providing their leaders focused, efficient, and timely access to resources they deem important, such as connections with other second-stage company leaders, and to professional organizations whose expertise, experience, and products lead to the second-stage company’s continued growth and prosperity resulting in diversification and growth of Florida’s economy.  Second-stage growth companies have at least 6 employees and $750,000 in revenue and possess an intent and desire to grow beyond second-stage.  Website: https://www.growfl.com. 

About the Edward Lowe Foundation

The Edward Lowe Foundation was established in 1985 by Ed and Darlene Lowe to leverage entrepreneurship as a strategy for economic growth and community development. The foundation’s entrepreneurship initiatives focus on second-stage companies, which are growth-oriented firms that have moved beyond startup but have not yet reached maturity. Its peer learning, leadership education, and strategic information programs are geared to help these companies continue growing. For more information, visit www.EdwardLowe.org.