Detect Named a Finalist for the 16th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Awards

MIAMI, FL - August 10, 2026 - Detect has been named a finalist for the 16th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Awards, a statewide recognition program celebrating high-growth, second-stage companies headquartered in Florida. Finalist companies are recognized for strong leadership, innovation, growth potential, and meaningful contributions to their communities, industries, and Florida's economy.

The nod follows Detect's finalist selection for the Reuters Energy Industry Awards earlier this year - the company's second major award recognition of 2026.

What is the GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch program?

The GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Awards, made possible through the support of Nperspective CFO & Strategic Services, celebrates privately held second-stage companies that are helping strengthen and diversify Florida's economy. This year, more than 500 companies were nominated. Following the nomination and application process, 95 finalists were selected to move forward in the judging process.

To be considered, companies must be headquartered in Florida, employ six to 150 full-time equivalent employees, generate $750,000 to $100 million in annual revenue or working capital, and demonstrate both the intent and capacity to grow. Companies are evaluated on growth, innovation, response to adversity, community involvement, and overall impact on Florida's economy.

Why was Detect named a finalist?

Since its founding in 2024, Detect has completed more than 30 projects for large power companies, rural electric cooperatives, and city-owned utilities across the United States and Canada. The company was selected from 172 applicants for NextEra Energy's 35 Mules innovation hub, earned SOC 2 Type II certification, and offers a free 90-day certification that trains drone crews to capture inspection photos utilities can act on.

Detect also funds and sponsors Young Coders Impact Miami, a youth hackathon where students build technology for local challenges, and partners with local colleges to bring interns into working inspection programs. Each new contract funds high-wage data-analyst and engineering jobs at the company's Miami headquarters.

What happens next in the judging process?

Finalists move forward in the judging process for consideration as one of the top 50 GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Honorees. They will also be recognized at regional events held throughout Florida, with registration available at growfl.com. The 50 honorees will be announced in October and celebrated at the 16th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Awards Gala on Friday, February 26, 2027, at Hard Rock Live, Universal CityWalk in Orlando.

"We are proud to recognize this year's finalists and the role they play in advancing Florida's economy," said Robert Newland, Chief Growth Advisor, Newland Growth Advisors and Chair of the Board for GrowFL. "These companies represent the innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurial leadership that make Florida a strong place to grow a business."

"The finalist companies represent some of the most dynamic second-stage businesses in the state," said Sean Flannery, SVP, Commercial Banking Manager, Synovus and Chair of the GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Committee. "We look forward to celebrating their achievements and sharing their stories as we move toward the announcement of the 50 honorees."

About Detect

Detect is an AI-powered inspection intelligence platform headquartered in Miami, Florida. Founded in 2024, Detect helps electric utilities, powerline contractors, and drone service providers turn drone and field inspection imagery into risk-ranked, audit-ready findings they can trust. Its platform, DetectOS, pairs AI trained on millions of real inspection images with expert review across a catalog of 258 defect types, and works with imagery from any camera - drone, helicopter, truck, or smartphone.

About GrowFL

GrowFL is a CEO member-driven organization dedicated to supporting Florida's second-stage companies and the leaders behind them. By focusing on companies that have moved beyond startup but are not yet mature, GrowFL helps accelerate business growth, job creation, and long-term economic strength across Florida. GrowFL supports companies with at least six employees and $750,000 in revenue that have the intent and capacity to continue growing.