DRIVE Developments, Inc. Honored as One of the 2009 “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) May 1, 2009 -- Sterling Heights, MI – May 1, 2009 – DRIVE Developments, Inc. has been recognized as one of the 2009 “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch,” an awards program sponsored by the Edward Lowe Foundation and presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business.

DRIVE Developments, Inc. was honored last evening at an awards ceremony during the fifth annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business event, April 30 in Lansing, Mich. Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm who was on hand for the event provided DRIVE and other winners an award from the state recognizing their achievement.

“In today’s economy, Companies to Watch has become a real game changer,” says Penny Lewandowski, director of entrepreneurship development at the Edward Lowe Foundation, a nonprofit operating foundation based in Michigan. “It changes the conversation from slow-growth, layoffs and closings, to companies that are expanding, hiring, and moving beyond traditional markets.”

“Presenters of the Michigan program recognized this potential since its inaugural year, five years ago,” Lewandowski says. “With a vow to find 50 new companies to celebrate each year, Michigan 50 Companies to Watch is now 250 strong. These are the companies that sustain Michigan through tough times and are transforming how the rest of the nation views the state.”

DRIVE Developments, Inc. is a high quality engineering solution provider. Their experience is strongly rooted in commercial and military vehicular diagnostics and prognostics. This is evidenced in their DIME (Diagnostic Information Management Environment) product line which combines over a decade of remote diagnostics and fleet management expertise. However, the breadth of their capabilities extend into other areas of vehicular engineering to include scientific test cell development, robotic vehicle prototypes, internet applications and plant monitoring systems.

“At DRIVE Developments, Inc. we are proud of this honor and we would like to thank the Edward Lowe Foundation and all of the supporters of Michigan Celebrates Small Business. We feel that our style of business is a key to the success and growth of our Nation’s small business core and we look forward to our continued expansion in Michigan and throughout the United States,” said DRIVE Developments, Inc. President and CEO Larry Osentoski.

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 judges from the banking, economic development, entrepreneurship development and venture capital communities. 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.

Michigan 50 Companies to Watch is presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business.

National City, now part of PNC, is the lead underwriter for Michigan Celebrates Small Business. Other supporters include Clark Hill PLC, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Accident Fund Insurance Company of America, Michigan Certified Development Corporation, IBM and Dynamic Edge.

Michigan Celebrates Small Business is presented in association with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center, Small Business Association of Michigan, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Edward Lowe Foundation.

Information about the 2009 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch program can be found at http://Michigan.CompaniesToWatch.org. For information about Michigan Celebrates Small Business, visit http://MichiganCelebrates.biz.

About DRIVE Developments, Inc.

DRIVE Developments, Inc. (http://www.drivedevelopments.com) provides commercial and military vehicle diagnostic systems complete with GPS, wireless communications and numerous vehicle diagnostic data bus interfaces. DRIVE Developments, Inc. aggregates this data in their DIME (Diagnostic Information Management Environment) Data Center (http://www.dimeportal.com) and provides clients secure web based access to detailed data from their vehicle platforms.

Established in 2007, DRIVE Developments, Inc. is owned and operated by Michigan businessman, Larry Osentoski. The company is comprised of a team of engineers with over 50 years of automotive market experience.

For more information and to apply at DRIVE developments please visit us at http://www.drivedevelopments.com or visit their product website at http://www.dimeportal.com

© 2009 DIME. All rights reserved.
Contact:
Larry Osentoski
President and CEO
DRIVE Developments, Inc.
Phone 248-613-6738
sales@drivedevelopments.com

More information can be found online at http://www.drivedevelopments.com