TiEcon Unveils List of Elite Entrepreneurs: TiE50 Winners

SANTA CLARA, CA--(Marketwire - May 13, 2009) - TiEcon 2009, the world's largest conference for entrepreneurs, today announced the winners of the TiE50 Awards. Selected from nearly 1,200 nominated companies, the winners represent the hottest emerging startups in five focus segments: Consumer Web, Internet Infrastructure, Cleantech, Wireless and Software. A full list of the TiE50 is available at http://www.tiecon.org/home/tie.

While the TiE50 winners are diverse in terms of size, progress, maturity and location, they share a common thread of innovation, ingenuity, strong management teams and overall quality of ideas. Trends notable this year include momentum in several areas within the five segments including:

--  Entertainment -- companies focused on gaming, streaming video to TV
    and virtual currency including PlaySpan, Verismo, sezmi and Offerpal Media.
    
--  Security -- businesses providing firewall, biometric, enterprise
    document analysis for audit support and detecting security issues with
    TiE50 winners that include Kazeon, Mimosa, Imperva, Splunk, upek, and Palo
    Alto Network.
    
--  Performance Enhancement -- now more than ever performance matters and
    companies that deliver services like giga bit switching, optical burst
    switching and high performance databases are noted with winners including
    Matisse, Arista, Aster Data Systems and Nominum.
    

"All of this year's winners embrace TiE's message of the bold entrepreneur," said Mateen Syed, TiE50 Chair. "The judges were impressed by the quality of ideas and execution across each vertical segment. These fifty companies represent the finest in entrepreneurship and serve as role models encouraging and inspiring emerging startups to succeed as entrepreneurs stimulating the economy."

"While the TiE50 winners have innovated in a variety of different areas, some clear patterns have emerged highlighting the current hot spots," said Jai Rawat, content chair for TiEcon 2009. "Fifteen out of the 30 winners in Consumer Web, Software and Internet Infrastructure are creating products and services related to online entertainment, security and performance optimization. It clearly reflects the current market needs and future growth areas."

The TiE50 judging process was designed with meticulous planning, screening and judging by a list of over forty prominent entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, corporate executives and other domain experts. TiE is also pleased to acknowledge the nominee companies and those who publicly voted from around the world who contributed to the TiE50 selection process. Over 50,000 votes were cast in a little over two weeks. TiE50 winners will present their companies in a live showcase over the two days of TiEcon 2009, on May 15th and 16th in Santa Clara, California. In addition to being featured at TiEcon 2009, the TiE50 will also receive ongoing support and increased visibility throughout the year.

TiE50 Winners 2009

Consumer Web
------------

Buzzintown
Intent
Jajah
Kiva
Kosmix
Like.com
Mochimedia
Offerpal Media
PlaySpan
Tonchidot

Internet Infrastructure
-----------------------

Arista Networks
Mashery
Matisse Networks
Nominum
Palo Alto Networks
Rubicon Project
sezmi
Splunk
upek
Verismo Networks

Software
--------

Aster Data Systems
Imperva
Jobvite
Kazeon
Mimosa Systems
Mint
serus
Xobni
Xprotean
ZOHO

Wireless
--------

Amobee
Carrier IQ
eye-fi
GetJar
Melodis Corporation
Mozes
mPortal Inc.
Pronto Networks
reQall
Vanu

Cleantech
---------

AltaRock Energy
Deeya Energy
Enphase Energy
Mariah Power
Nanosolar
seriousmaterials
SolarReserve
Solazyme
solyndra
Stion Corporation

About TiE50

The TiE50 award is presented by TiE, a global, not-for-profit, non-political, and non-religious organization dedicated to fostering entrepreneurs across its international network sponsored by top venture capital firms and Fortune 500 corporations. TiE is spread across 53 chapters in 12 countries comprising of 1,800 experienced entrepreneurs and business executives as charter members, 12,000 aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals as members.

About TiEcon 2009

TiEcon 2009 is two action-packed days of rich dialogue, networking and deal making with thousands of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, industry executives, and thought leaders. TiEcon 2009 is themed "The BOLD Entrepreneur," focusing on dynamic individuals who are able to adapt to changing conditions and create their own future despite downturns and uncertainties. TiEcon 2009 keynote speakers include Hans Morris, President of Visa Inc., Brad Smith, CEO of Intuit and Reid Hoffman, Founder, Chairman and CEO of LinkedIn.

Follow TiEcon 2009 on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TiEcon, on LinkedIn at http://tinyurl.com/tieconlinkedin, and on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/tieconfacebook.