North Carolina Technology Association Announces Finalists for 2009 21 Awards

RALEIGH, N.C.--(Business Wire)--
The North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA), the primary voice of the
technology industry in North Carolina, announced today the finalists for this
year`s 21 Awards. Winners will be recognized at the annual awards gala on
Thursday, November 12 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Cary, N.C., presented in
conjunction with title sponsor Grant Thornton. The theme for this year`s event
is "Survivor: Outtech, Outdevelop, Outlead" and is expected to be attended by
more than 500 business and technology leaders from across the state.

The NCTA 21 Awards are recognized as North Carolina`s most prestigious awards,
celebrating innovation and excellence in North Carolina. This annual showcase
honors companies and individuals in 21 categories who represent the best and
brightest in technology and business.

The 2009 finalists in each category are as follows:

Technology Industry Awards

Software Company Award: Apex Analytix, Bronto Software, iContact Corp, and Red
Hat. Life Sciences Company Award: Banner Pharmacaps, Chelsea Therapeutics, and
Cornerstone Therapeutics. Best Product or Service Technology Company Award: CA,
CC Intelligent Solutions, OptimalResume.com, TransEnterix and upSNAP Services.
Most Innovative Technology Company Award: AT&T, Digitalsmiths, Fuentek and
TransEnterix. Industry Driven Technology Company Award: Elster, Epic Games,
Railinc and Softpro. Green Technology Company Award: BreezePlay, Cisco, Elster,
and Unifi Manufacturing.

Excellence Awards

Private Company Award: Apex Analytix, Connexion Technologies, SilkRoad
technology, and USfalcon. Public Company Award: Cornerstone Therapeutics, Credit
Suisse, Red Hat and Tekelec. Customer Service Company Award: Alagad, Peak 10,
SoftPro and Wingswept. Fastest Growing Company Award: Apex Analytix, Connexion
Technologies, SciQuest and USfalcon. Leading Environmental Steward Company
Award: IBM, Leap Realty and SAS. Corporate Citizenship Company Award:
Freudenberg IT, Microsoft and WorkSmart.

Stage of Development Awards

Small Technology Company Award: Chelsea Therapeutics, DataChambers, K3
Enterprises and UpSNAP Services. Mid Size Technology Company Award: Apex
Analytics, Hosted Solutions, SciQuest and USfalcon. Large Technology Company
Award: Epic Games, Microsoft, Red Hat and Tekelec.

Additionally, finalists for the 2009 Executive of the Year are posted online at
www.nctechnology.org. The winner will be selected by popular vote and announced
at the 21 Awards Gala. The online voting poll is available until October 31.

Sponsors for the 2009 NCTA 21 Awards include: Grant Thornton LLP, EMC
Corporation, Credit Suisse, Business Wire, DataChambers, DPR Group, Peak 10,
T-Mobile, VACO, SAS, Six Disciplines, Smith Anderson, 18 Stone Design, V4
Production Group, Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton, TriNet, NYSE Euronext, Time
Warner Cable, Brooks Pierce, AT&T, Point Concepts, Duke Energy and Microsoft.

For more information or to register to attend the NCTA 21 Awards, visit
www.nctechnology.org or contact Angela Hodges at ahodges@nctechnology.org or
919-856-0393.

About NCTA

The North Carolina Technology Association`s mission is "Making North Carolina #1
in Technology and Technology #1 in North Carolina."The organization does this
through three main focus areas: executive engagement, public affairs, and
knowledge workforce.For more information, visit our website at
www.nctechnology.org.

DPR Group, Inc.
Michelle Perkins, 919-678-9200
mperkins@dprgroup.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009