See Progress Honored as One of
“Michigan 50 Companies to Watch”
EAST LANSING, Mich., April 18, 2007 – See Progress has been recognized as one of the “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch,” an awards program sponsored by the Edward Lowe Foundation.
See Progress was honored at an awards ceremony during the third annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business event, April 12 in East Lansing.
"Michigan 50 Companies to Watch is a unique awards program designed to shine the spotlight on second-stage companies,” says Mark Lange, executive director of the Edward Lowe Foundation, a not-for-profit operating foundation based in Michigan. The foundation’s mission is to “champion the entrepreneurial spirit” by encouraging entrepreneurial cultures in communities throughout the country and helping second-stage companies learn from each other.
"When it comes to a robust economy, second-stage entrepreneurs play a critical role because they generate new jobs and sustainable growth,” Lange says. “And yet, they’re not often recognized or appreciated for the impact they have on the economy or the community.”
See Progress provides unique, internet based customer service solutions for the automotive collision repair and new home construction industries. Their primary services, AutoWatch® and New Home Watch®, allow consumers and business partners to literally see the progress of collision repairs and new home construction through digital images shown on customers' web sites. “We are very pleased to have received this award,” commented Dave Henderson, President of See Progress. “We are excited to play a small but vital role in the re-birth of the new Michigan economy. This award is a significant milestone for us, marking many years of innovation and hard work.”
Companies nominated for the “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch” list must be 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. In addition, the companies must be privately held and headquartered in Michigan.
Winners were selected by the Michigan Certified Development Corporation, Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center, the Small Business Association of Michigan, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the U.S. Small Business Administration-Michigan and the Edward Lowe Foundation. Judges evaluated the nominees’ demonstrated intent and capacity to grow based on one or more of the following:
• Employee or sales growth.
• Exceptional entrepreneurial leadership.
• Sustainable competitive advantage.
• Other notable factors that showcase the company's success.
About AutoWatch®
The AutoWatch system is a unique customer service and marketing tool for the collision repair industry. The system allows vehicle owners to view digital photos of their vehicle via the Internet throughout the repair process through a fully customized and unique Body Shop web site. The latest vehicle repair status from the shop is displayed along with the estimated delivery date and a convenient email link to the assigned service advisor.
About NewHomeWatch®
New Home Watch is a unique service for the home building industry that provides digital photography of the new home construction from “foundation to finish”. New Home Watch is a turn-key system providing photographers, application and image hosting. Home buyers can see weekly photos showing the progress of their new home construction through the customized and interactive builder’s web site, and receive a photo album upon completion.
About See Progress
See Progress, Inc. is a recognized pioneer of Internet based, patented visual monitoring systems and is based in Brighton, Michigan. Additional information can be found at
www.AutoWatch.com.
Information about the 2007 awardees and the 2008 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch program can be found at
http://Michigan.CompaniesToWatch.org
AutoWatch® and New Home Watch® are registered trademarks of See Progress, Inc. and New Home Watch, LLC.
For information: http://www.autowatch.com
or Contact: info@autowatch.com
Phone: 877-977-6473
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