ProGlider advances in Coolest Thing Made in Florida competition

Rotonda West-based ProGlider Boats LLC advanced to the Top 32 in the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Florida competition presented by the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Florida Department of Commerce. 

The company's HyperGlider lightweight, side-by-side watercraft was one of 100 products selected representing all 67 Florida counties and is one of 14 Charlotte County companies nominated for the competition. 

ProGlider Boats Vice President of Sales and Marketing Rachel Wells said the company, which has eight employees, is competing against giants such as Publix. 

“ProGlider Boats’ advancement reflects the creativity and manufacturing expertise found in Charlotte County,” said Kay Tracy, director of Charlotte County Economic Development. “The HyperGlider is a great example of a locally made product earning statewide recognition, and we encourage the community to support ProGlider Boats in the next round.” 

The competition is about to enter its second round of voting, which runs July 15-28. Supporters may vote once per email address each day at coolestthingmadeinflorida.com. The product receiving the most votes in each matchup will advance to the Top 16. 

Having 14 Charlotte County businesses represented in the competition reflects the county's ongoing effort to attract and grow manufacturing jobs. 

The Charlotte County companies that were selected but did not advance to the next round are Amigo Pallets PG Inc.; Baby Barrier Fence, a manufacturer of pool fencing; Built Right, a Punta Gorda manufacturer of pool heat pumps; Cast Systems LLC, which makes hurricane shutters, impact windows and garage doors; Hydro-E-Lectric Inc., which sells automotive accessories, parts and service; QLine Product Corp.; Pulsafeeder; Waterway Boat Lift Covers Inc.; Underwater Fish Light LLC; Galaxy Multi Rides, a manufacturer of family entertainment centers, inflatable rides, games and mechanical bulls; SuperTrak, which manufactures industrial equipment including mulchers and mowers; Torch & Needle, an industrial parts manufacturer; and Ultra-Tech Enterprises Inc. 

“Manufacturing remains one of the most important drivers of Florida's economy, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and producing products that are recognized around the world,” said David Sweeney, chair of the Florida Chamber and chair of RS&H, an employee-owned architecture and engineering firm. 

For Wells, being among the Top 100 is an honor, she said, noting that the company also was nominated last year. 

ProGlider Boats was founded in 2018 by CEO and owner Art Jantzen. He, his brother and a naval architect decided to design their own boats after those used for Jantzen's Riding the Waves eco-tour company kept breaking down. The boats had been built by other manufacturers, and Jantzen wanted to design one that could withstand commercial use, Wells said. 

The first boat was built in Jantzen's garage before the company moved into a 2,200-square-foot facility in Port Charlotte and later into its current 9,000-square-foot facility off Gasparilla Road. 

“All of our boats are custom-built to order,” Wells said. 

The HyperGlider is available in two models: one for recreation and another for fishing that includes rod holders and other equipment. 

As part of the competition, Florida Chamber and Florida Department of Commerce officials plan to visit the two finalist manufacturers during National Manufacturing Week in October before announcing the overall winner at the Florida Chamber's Future of Florida Forum and Annual Meeting on Oct. 28 in Orlando. 

“The products advancing to the Top 100 demonstrate the strength and innovation of Florida’s manufacturing sector,” said Jason Mahon, FloridaCommerce’s deputy secretary of economic development and chief manufacturing officer. 

According to Charlotte County's Department of Economic Development, the county had more than 100 manufacturing and industrial-related businesses as of July 2025. 

SelectFlorida, the state's official international commerce agency, reported that Florida is home to more than 27,000 manufacturing companies employing more than 430,000 workers. 

The state’s manufacturing gross domestic product grew from $42.1 billion in 2014 to $80.7 billion in 2024, a 91.7% increase over 10 years, SelectFlorida data shows.