Industry Appreciation Awards
Celebrating Lee County businesses that drive the local economy, employ our workforce and shape their industries.
Lee County’s 33rd annual Industry Appreciation Awards was held on Friday, October 24, 2025.
Celebrating business excellence in Lee County, the Industry Appreciation Awards recognize businesses that drive the local economy, employ our workforce and shape their industries. Visit www.IndustryAppreciationAwards.com to learn more.
2025 Industry Appreciation Awards Categories, Finalists and Winners
Large Business of the Year Award — Recognizes exceptional business growth and the implementation of unique strategies. The large business selected as a finalist for this honor checks all the boxes of distinguishing themselves from competitors, engaging meaningfully with the local community, and adopting innovative practices.
The winner:
The finalists:
Small Business of the Year Award – Recognizes a small business that has demonstrated exceptional growth in revenue, workforce, products, or services over the past three years. The recipient of this award shows unique strategies that distinguish them from competitors, meaningfully engages with the local community, and adopts innovative practices.
The winner:
The finalists:
Large Manufacturer of the Year Award – Celebrates a large manufacturing business that has achieved remarkable growth in output and scale over the last three years with newly integrated technologies, consistent high product quality and safety standards, and a demonstrated commitment to environmental sustainability.
The winner:
The finalists:
Small Manufacturer of the Year Award — Celebrates a small manufacturing business that has achieved remarkable growth in output and scale over the last three years, having integrated new technologies into their production processes while maintaining a high-quality product and safety standards. This recipient also demonstrates a commitment to environmental sustainability.
The winner:
The finalists:
Elevate Award — Recognizes a business founded in Lee County that has demonstrated exceptional growth while embodying values that strengthen the broader business community, expand opportunities, cultivate local partnerships and promote long-term, inclusive success.
The winner:
The finalists:
Start Up of the Year Award — Celebrates a business founded in Lee County that has launched within the past three years and is already demonstrating strong momentum and community impact. This award honors a business that implements unique strategies to distinguish itself from competitors and adopt innovative practices to demonstrate resilience in navigating the challenges of launching a new venture.
The winners:
The finalists:
Tech Catalyst Award — Recognizes a company with strong and sustained presence in Lee County that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to strengthening the technology ecosystem in Southwest Florida. This award honors long-term regional impact, workforce investment and community leadership.
The winner:
The finalists:
