Five SWFL companies to be honored as global innovators

Five SWFL companies to be honored as global innovators. -STOCK PHOTO

Five Southwest Florida businesses are among the list of distinguished companies that will be hailed as global innovators during the 2026 Edison Awards, an international competition that culminates in April with a celebratory event in Fort Myers.

The Edison Awards released its 2026 finalists on Jan. 20, noting the winners are a “curated collective of builders, disruptors and visionaries whose work is already shaping tomorrow.” Southwest Florida honorees include:

Arthrex, Inc. (Naples): Percutaneous Pars Fracture Compression Screw (Orthopedic and Soft Tissue Repair) and Synergy Power System (Surgical Robotics and Precision Therapy).
ADDMAN (Fort Myers): ADDCAAM (Advanced Manufacturing Processes).
e2companies (Bonita Springs): Virtual Utility (Predictive and Real-Time Systems).
EmCyte Corporation (Fort Myers): Pure SupraPhysiologic Concentrating System with AspiraDome Technology (Point of Care Therapeutics).
Digital ShortCutz LLC (Naples): Conversion Velocity Engine (AI-Enhanced Workflow Solutions).

Edison Awards. -COURTESY PHOTO

“The fact that three Lee County businesses – and five from Southwest Florida – will stand side-by-side on stage with companies like Cisco Systems, Dell, HP, Samsung, Dow, DuPont, Waymo and others is truly phenomenal,” said Guido Minaya, president of the Horizon Foundation, a nonprofit that raises private-sector money to support efforts of the Lee County Economic Development Office and the Horizon Council to improve the area’s business climate. “That speaks volume to the culture of innovation and entrepreneurialism that we are fostering in Southwest Florida.”

The annual competition recognizes finalists and winners who are selected from thousands of global submissions. Entries are evaluated by an independent panel of senior scientists, engineers, designers and industry leaders who assess each innovation on its concept, value and impact.

Since 2021, the Edison Awards recognition event has been held in Fort Myers, where Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone and other innovators have shaped the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. The Horizon Foundation and City of Fort Myers are among the list of local and national organizations that sponsor the Edison Awards. The Lee County Economic Development Office helped recruit the Edison Awards to Southwest Florida as part of its ongoing efforts to shine a spotlight on the region’s thriving economy.

“Edison built the world’s first true innovation lab, a place where brilliant minds could collide, collaborate, and create,” said Frank Bonafilia, CEO of the Edison Awards. “That’s what we’ve built here. Our finalists aren’t just competing for recognition; they’re joining a community where the connections made often become as transformative as the innovations themselves. When you bring together this caliber of talent, anything is possible.”

The 2026 honorees are considered trendsetters in their respective fields, from AI redefining creativity to biotech extending human potential. Past finalists and winners have gone on to secure billions in funding, launch category-defining products and fundamentally reshape their industries.

Hosted by the City of Fort Myers, the Edison Awards ceremony will take place April 15-16 at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers. A full list of Edison Awards honorees, ticket information and sponsorship opportunities is available online at EdisonAwards.com.

Horizon Foundation. -COURTESY PHOTO

About the Horizon Foundation

The Horizon Foundation was established in 1995-96 to provide a funding vehicle for businesses to invest in Lee County’s long-term economic development and vitality. The Foundation raises private-sector money to support efforts of the Lee County Economic Development Office and the Horizon Council to improve the area’s business climate. For more information, please visit HorizonCouncilFoundation.com or call 239-533-6806.

About the Edison Awards

Established in 1987, the Edison Best New Product Awards™ honor excellence in innovation, celebrating the products, services, and leaders transforming how we live and work. Inspired by Thomas Edison’s legacy, the program recognizes game-changing solutions across industries worldwide, offering global recognition, credibility, and connections that drive growth. The 2026 Edison Awards will be held April 15–16 in Fort Myers, Florida. Register at www.edisonawards.com.