CoStar's Florance and $100,000 Business Plan Prize Headlined 3rd Annual Event

WASHINGTON, July 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A $100,000 Prize and an inspiring keynote address headlined the 3rd Annual Small Business Awards today sponsored by the Washington, DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP)..  

Andrew Florance, Founder, Director, President & CEO of CoStar Group, Inc , the soon to be District-based real estate information leader, delivered the program's stirring keynote address before an audience of 170 business and political leaders.  Florance spoke about the importance of this city as both a place to foster small business and leverage the federal nexus. Florance was introduced by Deputy Mayor Valerie Santos who praised his commitment to DC.

The presenting of the $100,000 Business Plan Competition Prize was the capstone of the morning program as EnviRelation, a local food waste recycling company, took the stage as this year's winner.  In addition to being eligible for a $100,000 CAPCO investment, EnviRelation will receive $10,000 in pro-bono legal advice from Venable, LLP.  EnviRelation follows in the footsteps of the 2009 Business Plan Competition winner, Affinity Lab, who used the investment to open a second shared work space venture.

Others recognized at the annual breakfast event were DigiDoc, Inc., the Small Business of the Year, Adam A. Weschler & Sons, the 100 Year Old DC Business of the Year, and DC Bar Pro Bono Program, the Small Business Initiative of the Year.

"It is exciting to see a business that is 100 years old share the stage with a newcomer with a great idea," said Steve Moore, President and CEO of the Washington, DC Economic Partnership. "Today's program was about celebrating their successes in this market, and promoting DC as a great place to do business."

Those that attended the awards breakfast included elected & government officials, members of the District's business community, entrepreneurs and small business owners.  Speakers included Bridget Bean, Director of Metropolitan District Office of the US Small Business Administration; Valerie Santos, Deputy Mayor of the Office for Planning and Economic Development; Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas, Susan Gilbert, Associate Director, DC Department of Employment Services; and Linda Argo, Director, Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.

WDCEP and its Board of Directors worked in partnership with the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development to undertake this business initiative.  For more information, click here.

It is the mission of the Washington, DC Economic Partnership, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to promote business opportunities throughout the District of Columbia and to contribute to business retention and attraction activities.

SOURCE Washington, DC Economic Partnership

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