For additional questions please contact:
Michael Felber, Conference Manager, 650-585-3414 or mfelber@redherring.com.

How do I nominate a company?
Click here to create your user profile. Following that, you will receive a confirmation email with your chosen username and password. The email also contains a URL at which you may log in using your username and password. Once logged in, you may create one or several nomination forms for the company/companies that you are submitting (i.e. you do not have to create multiple logins if you plan to nominate several companies). Each nomination form can be edited, saved, and submitted individually and over several sessions (do not forget to click “Save” at least every time before you close your browser – we recommend you save every few minutes to prevent data loss in the case of a crash, network problem etc.). Once you have submitted the form, you can no longer edit it – however, you can still view it. Please make sure to submit your nomination forms no later than on February 28, 2006.

Is this awards program open only for private companies?
Yes.

Can private companies located across the globe participate in this awards program?
The Red Herring 100 North America awards program is for companies headquartered in North America (Canada, Mexico, USA). Please contact us for information on our EMEA and Asia lists.

Is there a deadline by which the nomination form should be submitted?
We will stop taking nominations after February 28, 2006. However we recommend that you submit your company as soon as possible, as submissions will be reviewed in the order they are received.

Can previously short-listed (Finalists) and winning companies (Red Herring 100) apply again?
Companies previously short-listed as one of 200 Red Herring 100 Finalists or selected as one of the Red Herring 100 Winners are encouraged to submit a nomination again this year.

Is the website only channel provided for submissions and will we able to make edits?
Yes. We collect nominations only through the website. You will be able to make changes to your submissions and save your work. However, once you click on the submit button you will only be able to view your submissions.

What are the judging criteria?
A group of Red Herring editorial judges will review each nomination. The editors will assess nominees on both quantitative and qualitative criteria such as financial performance, technology innovation, quality of management, execution of strategy, and integration into their ecosystem.

What is the process after that and when will the companies be selected?
Red Herring will select and contact the 200 short-listed finalists for the list. The ultimate Red Herring 100 North America will be selected from the list of finalists thereafter. These companies will be contacted and their CEOs invited to present at the Red Herring Spring conference, May 23-25 in Monterey, California. We ask that the selected companies keep their status confidential until the publication of the list in the magazine.

Will press releases be sent out by Red Herring to announce the finalists and winners?
Red Herring will announce the 200 short-listed finalists and the Red Herring 100 North America in separate press releases. The companies involved will be informed about the timing of these releases.

What are the marketing benefits for the finalists and winners?
All Red Herring 100 North America will be featured in the Red Herring magazine. Red Herring will also supply the short-listed companies with logos to use in their press releases, websites, and any other marketing collateral. Finally, the winners will have an opportunity to deliver a 12 minute presentation about their company and exhibit at Red Herring Spring, to take place in Monterey, California, May 23-25.

Who can submit nominations and do multiple nominations help increase a company’s chances of being selected?
Anyone can submit their company for nomination. Venture Capitalists and Public Relations companies can also submit their portfolio companies and clients. Multiple nominations do not increase the chance of being selected.

As a Private Company, we are not comfortable releasing financial data. Will this disqualify us if these fields are not completed?
Your submission will also be considered if you do not reveal financial information. However, not having this crucial information will limit our ability to do a through analysis of your company. All financial information that you submit is strictly for analysis purpose only and will not be published at any time or in any form.

Will a Red Herring editorial team member be available for any conversation that can properly position our company for the selection process?
Unfortunately not. Due to the volume of submissions we are unable to communicate about any nominations – before, during and after the selection process. The judging editors will contact companies should questions arise on their part.

Can you offer suggestions or hints to help us make the best submission possible?
Please provide clear, specific and brief answers to the questions. Ambiguous or lack of information precludes us from properly considering the submission. Buzzwords and technical jargon usually cause more questions than they answer.

If selected as a Red Herring 100 North America, do we have to attend the conference?
No, it is not a requirement. However, your presence at the conference is highly recommended and will provide your company with excellent visibility in front of a c-level audience of potential partners, investors, and clients as well as the media. We suggest that you mark the dates of the conference on your personal calendar.

Is there a cost attached to participating in this award program?
There is no cost attached to participating in this program (and no costs will incur for winners who want to promote the fact). However, the CEOs who present at Red Herring Spring (historically about 70 of the 100) will be required to register for the event (at a preferential rate) like all other attendees.