Executives and Associations Join Forces at Annual Technology Industry Celebration Event

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Utah’s leading technology associations joined forces this past week to celebrate the state’s growing status as the nation’s “Silicon Slopes.” The Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum (UVEF) hosted a luncheon event in conjunction with the Mountain West Capital Network (MWCN) and the Utah Technology Council (UTC).

Core to the celebration is the Silicon Slopes online networking hub (www.siliconslopes.com), a project launched by Utah’s Omniture, Inc. (NASDAQ: OMTR) in 2007 to provide a resource for Utah’s 5,200-plus technology companies and the people they work with. Silicon Slopes offers the following benefits to Utah companies:

• Detailed Company Profiles: Participants and visitors can search Utah’s database of 5,200 companies on revenues, employees, funding amounts and other details.
• Blogspace: A collection of blogs with data, insights and musings on issues that affect the tech industry in Utah.
• CEO Interviews: Discussions with influential people who are driving high-tech business growth in Utah.
• Utah Job Postings
• Utah Technology and Business News: The latest-and-greatest industry tidbits on IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, venture funding and up-and-coming Utah companies.

Although Silicon Slopes is an initiative that was started by Omniture, all technology companies in Utah are invited to participate and to contribute.

In addition to learning more about the SiliconSlopes resource, attendees learned more about two of Utah’s rising technology companies at today’s celebration: Move Networks, a company of 150 employees, has developed technology that can drive high definition video and televised content to viewers via the Internet in what Move President and CEO John Edwards described as “TV 2.0.” More than 400 million viewers have already experienced Move Networks technology by watching online broadcast of shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty, ESPN, and Lost.

Brett Error, CTO and VP of products at Omniture, described how Omniture progressed from a graphic design and web design company to the firm that now serves as the industry’s Software as a Service (SaaS) pioneer for web analytics, purely by responding to their website customers’ needs. Omniture is a true Utah success story, having won multiple national awards and having completed a highly successful IPO in 2006.

In his presentation, Error noted that Utah is truly qualified to claim the title of Silicon Slopes in several key respects:

• Utah has highest percentage of computers per household in the nation.
• Utah has the nation’s 5th highest rate of Internet usage.
• Utah has a 94 percent literacy rate – the highest in nation.
• Utah is ranked 2nd as a top state for starting a new business by Forbes magazine.
• Utah consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top ten entrepreneurial states.

”We are pleased with today’s overflow attendance,” stated Shauna Theobald, 2008 UVEF Chair. “While other state economies are struggling, Utah’s business growth remains vibrant due in part to the tremendous entrepreneurial climate celebrated today.”

About UVEF

The UVEF is a non-profit support group working to share knowledge and experience. Founded in 1989, the organization promotes the development and growth of entrepreneurial ventures by providing networking opportunities, promoting recognition of business accomplishments and contributions, sharing business experiences and by encouraging free enterprise. Information on upcoming meetings, speakers and membership can be found at www.uvef.net.

About Utah Technology Council

UTC exists to foster the growth of Utah’s 5,200 science and technology companies, attract a broader array of funding resources, and ensure Utah has the highest-quality skilled workforce. Members can connect and share insights with industry peers, government and academic leaders, professional service providers and venture capital firms. Visit www.utahtechcouncil.org or call 801.568-3500.

About MountainWest Capital Network

Based in Salt Lake City, MountainWest Capital Network's members include a broad mix of entrepreneurs, venture capital providers, professional consultants, attorneys, bankers, accountants, and educators from universities and institutions of higher education. MWCN seeks to promote business growth and capital development in the state through a variety of educational and professional activities. Membership information is available through the MWCN website www.mwcn.org or via email at info@mwcn.org.