Coastal Investment Company Named No. 1 in UCF Alumni’s Ever Upward Top 25

Winter Park-based company earns top ranking among 25 UCF alumni-owned and alumni-led businesses recognized for growth.

WINTER PARK, FL, UNITED STATES, September 15, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Coastal Investment Company has been named the No. 1 company in UCF Alumni’s inaugural Ever Upward: Fastest-Growing Knight Businesses, earning the top ranking among 25 UCF alumni-owned and alumni-led companies recognized for business growth.

Coastal was selected as a finalist in the inaugural Ever Upward Top 25 before the final rankings were announced at the program’s award reception. The company was subsequently revealed as the fastest-growing business among the 25 honorees.

The Ever Upward program recognizes Knight-owned and Knight-led businesses based on growth over a multi-year reporting period. The inaugural ranking highlights the business activity and economic impact of companies connected to University of Central Florida alumni.

Coastal Earns Top Ranking in Inaugural Program

Coastal Investment Company’s No. 1 ranking reflects the company’s growth during the period evaluated by the Ever Upward program.

The recognition also highlights Coastal’s longstanding connection to UCF. The company was founded by Greg Meerbaum, Tyler Bloechinger ’09 and Keith Ahrens ’08, and its leadership team includes UCF alumni Travis Barr ’09 and Carey Sobel ’09.

Ahrens has said the recognition is particularly meaningful because of the role UCF has played in the professional relationships and development of Coastal’s leadership team.

Sobel has similarly described the recognition as a significant milestone for Coastal’s UCF alumni and the professional relationships that began through the university community.

Members of Coastal’s team remain involved with UCF through alumni engagement, mentorship, guest lectures, philanthropy and other university-related initiatives.

Recognition Reflects Continued Company Growth

Coastal Investment Company is a Winter Park, Florida-based private investment firm with activities spanning real estate, venture capital and other private-market investments. The company also provides tax consulting and M&A advisory services.

The Ever Upward recognition highlights Coastal’s continued growth and longstanding connection to the UCF alumni community.

UCF Alumni’s Inaugural Ever Upward Class

Coastal Investment Company was recognized alongside 24 additional Knight-owned and Knight-led companies in UCF Alumni’s inaugural Ever Upward Class of 2026.

The program was established to recognize fast-growing businesses connected to UCF alumni and to highlight the entrepreneurial activity of Knight-owned and Knight-led companies.

Coastal’s top ranking represents the highest placement in the program’s inaugural class.

About Coastal Investment Company

Coastal Investment Company is a private investment firm headquartered in Winter Park, Florida, with activities across real estate, venture capital and other private-market investments. The company also provides tax consulting and M&A advisory services.

For additional information about Coastal Investment Company, visit https://www.investwithcoastal.com/.

Carey Sobel
Coastal Investment Company
+1 888-411-2280
Carey@coastalinvco.com
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