Proteos, Inc. has been recognized as one of the "Michigan 50 Companies to Watch," an awards program sponsored by the Edward Lowe Foundation. Proteos received the honor at awards ceremonies during the second annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business event, April 19 in East Lansing.

"Michigan 50 Companies to Watch" is a unique awards program designed to shine the spotlight on second-stage companies," says Edward Lowe Foundation Executive Director Mark Lange. The Edward Lowe Foundation is a not-for-profit operating foundation based in Michigan. Its mission is to "champion the entrepreneurial spirit" by helping second-stage entrepreneurs learn from each other.

Companies nominated to be members of the "Michigan 50 Companies to Watch" list must be second-stage companies, defined as employing 6 to 99 full-time-equivalent employees and generating $750,000 to $50 million in annual revenue or working capital in place from investors or grants. In addition, the companies must be privately held and headquartered in Michigan.

Winners were selected by representatives of the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center, the Small Business Association of Michigan, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the U.S. Small Business Administration-Michigan, the Michigan Certified Development Corporation and the Edward Lowe Foundation.