Bonita Springs, FL, May 15, 2025 – e2Companies LLC (“e2”), a leading provider of integrated solutions for on-site power generation, distribution and energy cost-optimization, today announced that its Founder and CEO, James Richmond, was selected as a finalist for the Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Florida Award.

Now in its 40th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world’s most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and making a profound impact on communities. The program honors bold entrepreneurs whose innovations shape the future and pave the way for a thriving economy and a hopeful tomorrow.

An independent panel of judges selected Richmond as a finalist for his entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and lasting impact in building long-term value.

“It’s a true honor to be named as a finalist for the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 Florida Award,” said James Richmond, CEO and Founder of e2Companies. “When I founded e2, I wanted to solve a monumental problem with the electrical grid and the way homes and businesses were often left without power. I also saw diesel generators, the primary energy source when the power grid fails, were producing noxious emissions. e2’s innovative power solutions keep the lights on when the power grid fails using clean and conditioned power.”

Entrepreneur Of The Year honors business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company; transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory; and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to strengthen it for the future.

Regional award winners will be announced on June 13 during a special celebration in Orlando and will become lifetime members of an esteemed community of Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world. The winners will then be considered by the National judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum^®, one of the nation’s most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Based in Bonita Springs, Florida, e2Companies is the creator of three products that are revolutionizing the energy industry and solving the issue of grid stability, blackouts and power interruptions by delivering energy resiliency and reliability, while reducing emissions:

• Virtual Utility^® is the industry’s first utility-grade network located on your site. It integrates with on-site power infrastructure, including renewable energy sources and EV charging stations, and monitors all sources of distributed generation at your facility.
• The R3Di^® system (pronounced “Ready”) is a utility-grade, onsite power generation system that is capable of providing instantaneous full-load pickup and providing sustained power during long-duration outages.
• Grove365^® is Grid-Response optimization software that delivers full visibility and control, so customers can monitor and manage their energy consumption to drive increased reliability, while lowering overall costs and CO₂ emissions.

These innovative solutions enable e2’s customers to solve power reliability and power quality challenges, optimize performance with proactive energy monitoring, lock in competitive electricity rates, and achieve sustainability goals.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, Cresa, LLC, Marsh USA, and SAP. In Florida, sponsors also include ADP – regional Silver sponsor.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Founded in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the US, and it has since expanded to nearly 60 countries globally.

The US program consists of 17 regional programs whose panels of independent judges select the regional award winners every June. Those winners compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum^® in November where National finalists and award winners are announced. The overall National winner represents the US at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ competition. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.

About EY

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.

Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.

EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.

All in to shape the future with confidence.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

About e2Companies

e2Companies is the first vertically integrated Virtual Utility® for power generation, distribution, and energy economics in the marketplace. e2Companies’ patented technology, the R3Di^® System, provides automated grid stability for continuous on-site power and seamless resiliency, independent of grid conditions. The R3Di^® System is continuously monitored by Grove365^® to optimize resources, track ESG targets, and unlock new revenue opportunities for customers utilizing AI. This automated platform is self-sustaining and designed to adapt to future grid advancements including renewables, hydrogen, biofuel, geothermal power systems, and autonomous grid operations.

To learn more about e2Companies, visit www.e2companies.com.

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e2Companies Media & Investor Contact

e2companies@icrinc.com

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Forward Looking Statements

The information included herein and in any oral statements made in connection herewith include “forward-looking statements”. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included herein are forward-looking statements. When used herein, including any oral statements made in connection herewith, the words “could,” “should,” “will,” “may,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on e2 management’s current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, e2 disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. e2 cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of e2. These risks include, but are not limited to, general economic, financial, legal, political and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets; difficulties or delays in the development of e2’s business; the risks related to the rollout of e2’s business and the timing of expected business milestones; potential benefits and commercial attractiveness to its customers of e2’s products; the potential success of e2’s marketing and expansion strategies; the effects of competition on e2’s future business; the ability of e2 to convert its currently contracted revenues from new original equipment manufacturer sales and energy service agreements into actual revenue; the ability of e2 to recruit and retain key executives, employees and consultants; and the ability of e2 management to successfully manage a public company. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described herein and in any oral statements made in connection therewith occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.