Three companies that make products in Tallahassee are contenders in the “Coolest Things Made in Florida” competition created by the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
One’s a startup taking battery life to a new level. Another company is a history maker in the elevator industry. And the last finalist is a household name in the HVAC world for compressors.
Here are the companies:
Headquartered in Denmark, the Danish company is the world’s leading producer of oil-free compressors. Its main manufacturing facility is located within Innovation Park in Tallahassee and has expanded its operations several times over the years due to demand.
A Residential Elevators facility worker constructs a cab, the enclosed space where passengers and freight are carried within the elevator.
Residential Elevators launched about three decades ago and builds custom elevators for every job and stands as the only full-service, family-owned company in the country that provides sales, design, manufacturing, installation and maintenance.
Baiju Krishnan, a scientist at Tallahassee-based startup Piersica, which is pioneering next-generation ultra-high energy density batteries, makes polymer in the lab Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Piersica is a startup that’s invented next-generation technology to make batteries faster and more efficient with its “solid-state batteries.” It uses a rechargeable battery that uses a solid electrolyte (the material that allows batteries to recharge and discharge energy) instead of the liquid or gel electrolyte that’s in traditional lithium-ion batteries.
Mark Wilson, president and CEO of the Florida Chamber speaking during the Future of Florida Forum in Orlando.
The bracket-style competition spotlights products manufactured in the Sunshine State while also aligning with the Chamber’s lofty goal of launching Florida into the top states in the country for manufacturing by 2030.
“The response to this year’s competition demonstrates just how much interest Floridians have in the products made right here in our state,” said Mark Wilson, the Chamber’s president and CEO, in a statement. “The manufacturers advancing to the Top 32 represent the innovation, craftsmanship, and skilled talent that continue to strengthen Florida’s economy.”
Here’s how voting works: It’s all open to the public. The Chamber’s website said a person may cast one vote per email address per day when voting is open. Once an email has been used to cast a vote, it cannot be used to cast another vote in the popular vote round or same bracket match-up until 24 hours has elapsed.
The competition field will narrow from the Top 32 to the Top 16, Top Eight, Top Four, and the final round of voting before one product is declared the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Florida.
The top two finalists will be recognized at the Florida Future Forum on Oct. 28 and be selected for a site tour visit during the National Manufacturing Week Final Two Tour in October. Winners also receive a trophy, media spotlight and a digital “Made in Florida” badge for marketing and branding purposes.
Why Florida is trying to grow its manufacturing sector
With 426,700 manufacturing jobs, this sector represents 4.9% of all jobs in the state and generates an average annual wage $81,973. Florida ranks No. 1 in the country in manufacturing job growth over the past decade, adding more than 90,000 jobs – more than any other state.
But the state wants to be in the top five manufacturing producers. To do so, Florida needs an additional 139,500 manufacturing to land the Top 5 in U.S. manufacturing rankings.
“Manufacturing fuels Florida’s economy, employing hundreds of thousands and driving innovation across industries like aerospace, healthcare, agriculture, and consumer goods,” the Chamber’s website said.
“This competition isn’t just about winning, it’s about recognizing the businesses that keep Florida’s economy strong. Join us in celebrating innovation, job creation, and the future of Florida manufacturing.”
Contact Economic Development Reporter TaMaryn Waters at tlwaters@tallahassee.com and follow @TaMarynWaters on X.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee businesses chase ‘Coolest Thing’ title