The second annual `Tornado Insider 100` list featuring Europe`s top, emerging, private technology, companies has been released.

The list, which will be detailed in the summer issue of Tornado Insider magazine due in July, represents the most promising and innovative emerging companies in the European IT and biotech sectors.

"This year`s `Tornado Insider 100` companies have demonstrated a proven ability to be creative, agile and truly innovative in a challenging climate," said Ron Groen, CEO of TORNADO INSIDER. "We believe that these companies will continue to provide enduring value to their customers, their shareholders and the marketplace."

The challenge of narrowing a list of thousands of candidates to the top 100 start-ups was spearheaded by Tornado Insider`s research and editorial departments, in conjunction with industry insiders and high tech analysts as well as sector and regional specialists. Companies from Ireland to Israel involved in all areas of technical expertise from nanotech to fabless chips were selected on the following criteria:

-Delivering an innovation that shows the promise of setting new standards.
-Introducing a major new audience.
-Supplying a key piece of the ICT infrastructure.
-Commanding a significant customer base.
-Having the potential to become a global brand or standard.
-Influencing a major market.
-Receiving a significant amount of funding.
-Having a strong valuation for a future IPO.


Reflecting a similar shift in investment towards later stage funding, the companies included in this year`s list had to meet the requirement of selling products that match their marketing promises. The list also recognized firms that have managed to stay afloat by utilizing their funding in the most effective manner. Indicative of this years `follow the money` philosophy, biotech and Israel were included in this year`s list. The `Tornado Insider 100` selection criteria favored companies that have clearly demonstrated that the technology they are commercializing today will change the way things are done tomorrow.

"These companies are the cream of Europe," said Timothy Weeks, Tornado Insider`s Senior Research Analyst. "The fact that they not just survived but are thriving in a downturn adds even more to their merit."

With the purpose of establishing an emerging tech benchmark for Europe, the `Tornado Insider 100` is tiered according to how well the companies meet the selection criteria. While not listed in a numerical order the list is segregated into a top 10 tier, with a second tier of the next 15 and a third tier of the remaining 75.

At the Upstart Europe 2002 conference in Amsterdam during the June 24 morning session, a selection of 10 CEOs from the top 25 companies will take the stage to promote their businesses in front of a judging panel that will include representatives from PriceWaterhouseCooper`s and Silicon Valley Bank. Awards for "Winning Finance", "Winning Technology" and "Overall Winner" will be presented at a gala dinner that evening.

The Top 10
Am-BEO
ASK
Cambridge Broadband
Cytos Biotechnology
Digital Bridges
Morphochem
Power Dsine
Schema
Swe-Dish
Voxar

11-25
Affibody, Axxom Software, Codetoys, CSR, Hybrigenics, Intercell Biotech, Mellanox, Nanogate, NeuroNova, Norwood Systems, Ntera, RiboTargets, Tridion, Vivastar, Whale Communications

26-100
4DigitalBooks, Abaxx, Absia, Akumiittii, Altitude, Appgate, Astex, Technology, Atrica, Axovan, Bioxell, buongiorno, Business Layers, Cambridge Positioning Systems, Celoxica, Cognitens, Columbitech, CRF Box, Data Discoveries, End2End Holdings, Enition, epigenomics, Esual, Exi Telecoms, Flytxt, Galapagos Genomics, Graffinity, Gyros, Highdeal, Identify Software, Imerge, Impress Software, Infinite Data Storage, Intense Photonics, Jerini, Kalido, LEA, Macalla Software, Mapper, Lithography, MicroEmissive Displays, Mobeon, Mobipay, More Magic,, Software, Network 365, Newron Pharmaceuticals, OD2, Open Business, Exchange, Openet Telecom, Opera Software, OTB-Group, Oxonica, Peperoni, Mobile & Internet Software, Physical Networks, Plastic Logic, Pogo, Technology, Radioscape, Red-M, Scopus Network Technologies, Sendo, Siroyan, Solid Information Technology, Sophos, Southampton Photonics, Spektra Systems, Spirea, Suse, Systemonic, Telisma, Terahertz Photonics, ThreeFive Photonics, UbiNetics, Venation, Visual Wireless, VPI Systems, Xemics, Z-Slide
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