The statewide Coolest Thing Made in Florida competition is back for a second year.
Sponsored by the Florida Chamber of Commerce and FloridaCommerce, the state’s primary economic development agency, the bracket-style competition is designed to showcase the state’s most innovative and talented manufacturers.
Nominations are open until May 31, followed by the voting period.
“Florida’s manufacturers are helping drive job creation, economic growth, and innovation across our state,” said Mark Wilson, president and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, in an April 13 news release.
“Building on the momentum of our inaugural competition, the Coolest Thing Made in Florida continues to highlight the products and people powering our economy and reinforces our goal of making Florida a Top 5 manufacturing state by 2030.”
The 2025 competition drew more than 400,000 votes and highlighted dozens of Florida-made products, according to the release.
Businesses, employees and the public can self-nominate or nominate any company that manufactures a product in the state. Nominations are being accepted at CoolestThingMadeInFlorida.com.
After a review of nominated products to ensure they meet eligibility requirements, including being manufactured in Florida, a popular vote will be held from June 15 to July 1 to determine the top 32 nominees.
Those finalists will undergo a head-to-head competition from July 15 to Oct. 23, with round-by-round winners also determined by public votes.
The winner will be announced Oct. 28 at the Florida Chamber’s Future of Florida Forum in Orlando.