{"id":154985,"date":"2026-09-02T11:23:58","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T15:23:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985///news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//www.ucf.edu/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//news/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//?p=154985"},"modified":"2026-09-02T11:23:58","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T15:23:58","slug":"25-of-ucfs-fastest-growing-alumni-led-companies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985///news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//www.ucf.edu/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//news/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//25-of-ucfs-fastest-growing-alumni-led-companies/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//","title":{"rendered":"25 of 166su/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u2019s Fastest-Growing Alumni-Led Companies"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Entrepreneurship has no single blueprint /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u2014 and the stories behind 166su/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u2019s inaugural Ever Upward honorees make that clear.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>The top three finalists from the new program, organized by 166su Alumni, are creating jobs, strengthening communities and introducing innovative approaches in industries ranging from health care and hospitality to technology, finance and motorsports.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>Their origin stories are shaped by education, family, friendships, unexpected career turns and the ability to adapt. 166su helped the Ever Upward honorees build the knowledge, relationships and confidence to turn their ideas into impact. Rodney M. Grabowski, UCF/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u2019s senior vice president for <a href=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"https:/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985///news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//advance.ucf.edu/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985///news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/">Advancement and Partnerships</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//a> and CEO of the 166su Foundation, connected the honorees/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u2019 work to the university/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u2019s founding mission.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201c166su was founded to support the <a href=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"https:/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985///news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//www.ucf.edu/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//space/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985///news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/">space</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//a> program &#8230; to launch humanity even further. And that spirit still defines us today,/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201d Grabowski says. /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201cWe/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u2019re launching students into careers and leadership positions in every industry. We/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u2019re launching ideas from our classrooms and labs into the real world./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201d</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<h2>Recognizing Excellence</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//h2>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>Ever Upward is 166su/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u2019s first program recognizing the fastest-growing Knight-owned and Knight-led businesses around the world. The 2026 rankings were based on cumulative percentage revenue growth over a consecutive three-year period, using calendar years 2022 through 2024.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<blockquote><p>Explore ways to <a href=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"https:/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985///news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//advance.ucf.edu/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985///news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/">partner with 166su</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//a></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//blockquote>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>166su Alumni accepted applications in January before announcing the top 25 finalists in June. Companies were ranked by percentage of cumulative annual growth in revenue. The final rankings were revealed at a special celebration in August.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>Grabowski says, /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201cThe success of Knight-led businesses is part of the momentum shaping 166su/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u2019s future. Through the university/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u2019s $3.5 billion <a href=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"https:/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985///news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//advance.ucf.edu/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//go-for-launch/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985///news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/">Go For Launch</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//a> campaign, UCF is investing in people, ideas, research and partnerships that will help bring tomorrow within reach./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201d</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201cThese companies demonstrate the transformational power of entrepreneurship,/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201d says Mike Harding, UCF associate vice president for partnerships. /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201cAs they grow, their success creates opportunities for employees, strengthens the industries and communities they serve and inspires other entrepreneurs to pursue their own ideas./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201d</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p><strong>Learn more about this year/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u2019s top three finalists.&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<figure id=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"attachment_154992/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/" style=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"max-width: 1200px;/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/" class=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"figure float-left/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"><noscript><img decoding=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"async/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/" width=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"1200/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/" height=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"1371/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/" class=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"figure-img size-full wp-image-154992 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https:/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985///news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//www.ucf.edu/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//wp-content/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//blogs.dir/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//20/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//files/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//2026/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//08/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//Reception-Ryan-Rapolti-315x360.jpg 315w/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/" data-src=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"https:/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985///news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//www.ucf.edu/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//wp-content/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//blogs.dir/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//20/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//files/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//2026/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//08/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//Reception-Ryan-Rapolti.jpg/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"><figcaption class=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"figure-caption/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/">Ryan Rapolti /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201911MBA, founder and CEO of Reception 24/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//7 (Photo by David Gallucci &#8217;92, UCF Alumni)</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//figcaption></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//figure>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<h3>No. 3: Reception 24/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//7</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//h3>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p><strong>Ryan Rapolti /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201911MBA</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong>, founder and CEO of Reception 24/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//7, traces his approach to leadership to experiences he had at home.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>Rapolti watched his mother return to college while raising a family, which shaped his understanding of perseverance. His stepfather/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u2019s work in vocational rehabilitation also influenced his belief that business can be a vehicle for helping people.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>Those influences became part of the foundation for Reception 24/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//7, which provides around-the-clock answering services for businesses. As artificial intelligence reshapes customer service, the company combines aspects of that technology with human support so clients can remain responsive and accessible. Rapolti applies the same people-first philosophy to the company/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u2019s workplace culture.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>For Rapolti, innovation begins with understanding what both clients and employees need, then using technology to strengthen rather than replace human connection.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>&#8220;You take away so many things from the 166su experience /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u2014 not just what you learn in a textbook or from the professor, but from the people sitting next to you,/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201d says Rapolti. /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201cI am so excited to have been in the top three. Being able to grow quickly is great. Hopefully it will allow us to hire more 166su graduates and continue to do great things with the university./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201d</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<figure id=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"attachment_154993/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/" style=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"max-width: 1200px;/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/" class=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"figure float-left/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"><noscript><img decoding=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"async/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/" width=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"1200/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/" height=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"1170/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/" class=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"figure-img size-full wp-image-154993 img-fluid/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/" 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https:/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985///news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//www.ucf.edu/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//wp-content/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//blogs.dir/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//20/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//files/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//2026/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//08/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//W.-Paul-Jones-Sebring-360x351.jpg 360w/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/" data-src=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"https:/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985///news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//www.ucf.edu/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//wp-content/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//blogs.dir/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//20/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//files/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//2026/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//08/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//W.-Paul-Jones-Sebring.jpg/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"><figcaption class=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"figure-caption/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/">W. Paul Jones /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201994, Sebring Driving Club founder. (Photo by David Gallucci &#8217;92, UCF Alumni)</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//figcaption></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//figure>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<h3>No. 2: Sebring Driving Club</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//h3>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>Four years ago, <strong>W. Paul Jones /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201994 </news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong>had a choice to make: accept his fate or pivot.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>Jones was the longtime managing director of the Palm Beach Driving Club before the historic raceway shuttered its gates in 2022. When an opportunity to purchase the&nbsp;Sebring International Raceway appeared in front of him, Jones decided to take action.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>Jones, who had extensive hospitality management experience, returned to his longtime interest when he founded the Sebring Driving Club, creating memorable experiences in the form of a private driving community. The club gives members access to Sebring International Raceway and a place to connect through a shared interest in motorsports.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>By turning the traditional track experience into a year-round membership community, Jones found a new business model.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>Jones challenges aspiring entrepreneurs to take the leap and dare to chart their own paths forward.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201cDon/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u2019t be afraid to fail,/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201d says Jones. /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201cStart your company and keep on going. Go at it with passion./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201d</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<figure id=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"attachment_154994/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/" style=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"max-width: 1200px;/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/" class=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"figure float-left/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"><noscript><img decoding=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"async/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/" width=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"1200/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/" height=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"800/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/" class=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"figure-img size-full wp-image-154994 img-fluid/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/" 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class=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"figure-caption/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/">From left to right: Keith Ahrens /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201908, Tyler Bloechinger /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201909, Carey Sobel &#8217;09 and Travis Barr /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201909&nbsp;(Photo by David Gallucci &#8217;92, UCF Alumni)</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//figcaption></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//figure>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<h3>No. 1: Coastal Investment Company</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//h3>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>For Coastal Investment Company founders <strong>Keith Ahrens /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201908, Travis Barr /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201909, Tyler Bloechinger /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201909 </news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong>and<strong> Carey Sobel /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201909</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong>, entrepreneurship was shaped by friendships that began at 166su.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>The partners built a diversified investment company that acquires and grows businesses across multiple industries. Their model combines complementary expertise with a hands-on approach to identifying opportunities, supporting leadership teams and helping companies reach their next stage of growth.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>They credit 166su with providing the mentors, networks and entrepreneurial environment that gave them the confidence to take risks and ultimately launch Coastal together. Those connections remain central to the company/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u2019s culture, from hiring fellow Knights and drawing talent from their 166su networks to mentoring students and young alumni.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>&#8220;We met at 166su, continued on, kept in touch and pushed each other,/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201d says Bloechinger. /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201cRelationships are so important. People are what will lead to your success./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201d</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>Coastal/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u2019s approach shows how different perspectives and complementary strengths can create a more collaborative model for growth.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<h2>Celebrating the Top 25</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//h2>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>Interested in Ever Upward? Details about the next application period, including eligibility for 2027 honorees, will be announced at <a href=/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/"https:/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985///news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ucfalumni.com/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ever-upward/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985///news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/">ucfalumni.com/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ever-upward</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//a>.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>See the final rankings below.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>1. Coastal Investment Company</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Tyler Bloechinger /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201909&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Keith Ahrens /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201908&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Travis Barr /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201909&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Carey Sobel /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201909&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>2. Sebring Driving Club</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>W. Paul Jones /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201994&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>3. Reception 24/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//7</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Ryan Rapolti /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201911MBA</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>4. Orange Tree Staffing</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Mardly Smith /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201995&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Craig Smith /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201994&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>5. Quadrant Engineering, P.C.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Rafiqul Chowdhury /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201909 /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201911MS&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>6. Island Direct Primary Care</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>John Rothwell III /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201913 /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201915MS /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201918DNP</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>7. Martin Aquatic Design and Engineering</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Josh Martin /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201907&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>8. Maymont Senior Care</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Nichole Blake-Little /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201915&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>9. Boys Electrical Contractors</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Kyle Nylander /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201902 /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201909&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>10. Brewlando</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Shara Sooknarine Pathak /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201904</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>11. Qu5 Services, Inc.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Zachary Quandt /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201984&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>12. I&#8217;m All Ears</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Shelby Roemer /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201908</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>13. Strategos Group</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Adam Giery /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201908 /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201911MA&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>14. CJS Communications</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Christopher Slaven /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201913&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Alexander Fackler Sr. /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201911&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>15. Space Coast Pool School</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Lauren Broom /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201900&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>16. Buckalew Hospitality</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>David &#8220;Skee&#8221; Buckalew /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201905</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>17. Knight Federal Solutions</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Chris Baeten /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201903&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>18. Boston Data Pro, LLC</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Rajeev Verma /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201904MS</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>19. McGinniss Himmel Insurance Agency</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Allen McGinniss /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201905 </news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>20. Threaded Marketing Group</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Kelly Jo Jefferis /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201904&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>21. Garney Construction</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Matthew Reaves /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201905&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>22. aVenue Event Group</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Sean Hughes Jr. /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201910&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>23. S Cook Productions, LLC</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Stacey Cook /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201999&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>24. Global Ktech</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Kannan Srinivasan /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201996MS&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<p>25. Kavaliro</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Mark Moore /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201999&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>John Mahony /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201996</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Diane Mahony /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201996 /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201901MEd&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n<li><strong>Bill Peppler /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u201996&nbsp;</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//strong></news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//li>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//ul>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Family influences, career reinvention and lifelong friendships shaped the entrepreneurs behind 166su/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/u2019s inaugural Ever Upward competition, proving there is no single path to building the future.</news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985//p>/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/154985/n","protected":false},"author":98,"featured_media":154990,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"lazy_load_responsive_images_disabled":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":"","_wp_rev_ctl_limit":""},"categories":[15992,4],"tags":[54138,55042,1582,54946,54374,15946,202],"tu_author":[],"class_list":["post-154985","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni","category-business","tag-artificial-intelligence","tag-barry-s-miller-college-of-business","tag-entrepreneurship","tag-go-for-launch-campaign","tag-rod-grabowski","tag-ucf-advancement","tag-alumni"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v22.3 (Yoast SEO v28.2) - 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