STARTUP FINALISTS
Flora
Aabesh De
Flora is an all-in-one plant care platform revolutionizing the $71 billion dollar gardening industry. Founded in 2012, Flora combines AI-powered monitoring devices with a user-friendly mobile application and a vibrant community of plant lovers. With patented technology, Flora empowers the “horticulturally hopeless” to become successful plant parents and transforms plant care into an engaging and rewarding experience.
RECENT MILESTONES
- Secured a deal with Lori Greiner on Shark Tank in February 2024
- Surpassed 500,000 downloads and added over 1 million plants
- Increased average engagement time per daily active user to 30 minutes, higher than that of Snapchat, Twitter, or Twitch.TV
- Secured supplier relationship with Home Depot and Sharper Image, contributing to Flora’s growth trajectory of over 120% revenue increase this year
A NOTE FROM THE FOUNDER
“I was a serial plant killer before I began Flora, and the last straw was wilting my mother’s prized rose bush plant (that she had for years) in just 8 short days. I had enough, so I put on my MacGyver hat and taught myself DIY hardware electronics and programming to build my own plant care app and sensor that measured water for me. I wanted to take the guesswork and upfront difficulty out of plant care, and thus, Flora was born. Through Flora, I aim to save millions of plants, teach people how to nurture their plants, and foster a thriving community of plant lovers.” – Aabesh De
HeroWear
Mark Harris, Karl Zelik, & Matt Yandell
HeroWear provides exosuit solutions designed to reduce injury risk, improve quality of life, and boost productivity for workers in physically demanding jobs. Their exosuits are utilized by thousands of workers at some of the largest companies globally, addressing the leading cause of on-the-job injuries in the USA: overuse and strain while handling materials. These exosuits help companies save money while ensuring workers are safe and healthy.
RECENT MILESTONES
- Grown at a compounded annual growth rate of 90% over the past five years
- Daily product use by over 300 clients across 30+ countries
- Three clients recently reported that back injuries dropped to zero over 3-9 months following the deployment of HeroWear exosuits
A NOTE FROM THE CO-FOUNDER
“I was having back pain from carrying my kids. As a biomechanist, I challenged my lab to invent a new technology that could offload my back, while being comfortable enough to wear all day. After commercializing that technology, we are helping reduce the daily pain of thousands of workers, with a goal of helping all of the 30% of Americans (and more worldwide) who bend or lift every day at their jobs – literally putting our economy on their backs.” – Dr. Karl Zelik
Tiny Mighty Communications
Paul Oakley
Tiny Mighty Communications is an integrated corporate and marketing communications agency that helps organizations grow by engaging key stakeholders. The agency offers deep expertise in corporate and brand reputation, employee engagement, media relations, digital marketing, social media, sustainability, corporate social responsibility, public affairs, crisis and issues management, and special events. Primarily supporting industrial and manufacturing brands, Tiny Mighty Communications brings battle-tested experience in local markets and global industries.
RECENT MILESTONES
- Broke $2 million in revenue while retaining its first client, and has maintained long-term relationships while expanding to include several major Fortune 500 brands
- Added three automotive clients, which have become the basis of the agency’s first industry-focused practice
- Hired six new team members including an operations director, contracted executive coach, financial advisor, HR professional, and legal partners, while designing new systems to support rapid growth
A NOTE FROM THE FOUNDER
“After 20 years in corporate America, I founded Tiny Mighty to fill my perceived gap in corporate experience among agencies in the industrial and technical B2B sectors. Our vision is to become a leading Nashville firm, supporting global brands with data-driven strategies. With strong growth and expansion plans, our mid-term goal is to double in size, create jobs for top local communicators, and establish a nonprofit to teach kids writing and protect the First Amendment.” – Paul Oakley
GROWTH FINALISTS
Covert Results
Robert Young
Covert Results provides peace of mind when clients need it most. With over a century of collective experience, the expert investigators and security professionals at Covert Results offer unmatched private investigations, armed security, cyber security, and training in Tennessee. The company has recently solved a murder case and helped exonerate someone who was wrongfully accused. When fear and uncertainty arise, clients trust Covert Results to deliver meaningful outcomes.
RECENT MILESTONES
- Initiated a murder investigation and with no initial evidence, worked every day for 28 days straight alongside MNPD to bring justice and closure to the victims wife and family
- Selected for the INC 5000 list as number 2,502
- Secured contracts to provide safety and security at over 10 local schools for the second consecutive year
- On track to achieve over $3 million in revenue in 2024, up from $2.4 million in 2023
- Conducted site safety and security for CBS at the 2024 PGA Tour Championship
A NOTE FROM THE FOUNDER
“In 2017, I began to notice a shift in the law enforcement sector, but it was my personal experience that drove me to walk away. After losing my father, I felt unsupported in my career, which left me feeling stuck and unfulfilled. I founded Covert Results, a private investigations and security firm, in 2018 after an 11 year career in law enforcement to channel my passion for helping people, knowing that I could make a real difference in their lives, especially during their most challenging times. My goal is to use my experience and training to provide honest, impactful solutions for our clients.” – Robert Young
Redwood Literacy
Kaitlin Feriante & Andre Feriante
Redwood Literacy exists to ensure that all students with literacy struggles can achieve their dreams. By cultivating hope and restoring confidence, Redwood helps students dramatically improve their literacy skills, regardless of socio-economic background or learning differences. The organization provides best-in-class intervention for struggling readers, writers, and mathematicians in Chicago and virtually around the world to address the ongoing literacy crisis.
RECENT MILESTONES
- Grown from a single storefront in Chicago to serving students in all time zones across the U.S. and internationally in the United Kingdom
- Increased the number of students served from 20 to 250, with numbers continuing to grow
- Increased profit margin by pivoting service offerings to be virtual over a single weekend during the pandemic
- Grew revenue stream from charter school partners by 330% over three years
Pivot Technology School
Joshua Mundy & Quawn Clark
As a leader in tech workforce development, Pivot Technology School is dedicated to equipping individuals with essential skills for the digital economy. By offering comprehensive training programs, Pivot addresses the growing tech talent gap, ensuring that students are well-prepared for high-demand careers. Their mission is to foster economic growth and inclusivity in the tech industry, making technology careers accessible to diverse communities and empowering individuals to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.
RECENT MILESTONES
- Doubled its revenue year over year
- Awarded a $890,000 grant to expand its work across the state of Tennessee
- Expanded its tech workforce strategies to six different states
- Recognized as the official tech trainer for active-duty Army personnel and veterans
A NOTE FROM THE FOUNDERS
“I started Pivot Technology School to address the critical shortage of tech talent and provide opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to enter the tech industry. Witnessing the power of education, I wanted to create a platform that empowers people to unlock their potential and achieve economic mobility. Our impact goes beyond skills training; we’re building a community that fosters inclusivity, innovation, and growth, making tech careers accessible to everyone.” – Joshua Mundy
To see other 2024 finalists, visit our NEXT Awards page or browse news.
