NEW YORK, NY--(MARKET WIRE)--Aug 25, 2008 -- Inc. magazine has ranked Universal Mind, a solutions provider focused on rich Internet application (RIA) development, 343rd on its 27th annual Inc. 500 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. The list is the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy -- America's independent-minded entrepreneurs. Companies such as Zappos, Intuit, GoDaddy, Under Armour, Jamba Juice, American Apparel, and Oracle gained early exposure as members of the Inc. 500.

"If you want to find out which companies are going to change the world, look at the Inc. 500," said Inc. Editor Jane Berentson. "These are the most innovative, dynamic, fast-growing companies in the nation -- the ones coming up with solutions to some of our knottiest problems, creating systems that let us conduct business faster and easier, and manufacturing products we soon discover we can't live without. The Inc. 500 list is Inc. magazine's tribute to American business ingenuity and ambition."

In addition to its overall ranking of 343rd, Universal Mind ranked 41st on Inc.'s list of the Top 100 IT Services Companies for 2008. This is the second year in a row the company has appeared on the Inc. 500 list. Based in Golden, Colorado, Universal Mind brings rich Internet applications to the agile enterprise delivered within the parameters of time, budget, design, and performance. Advanced RIA projects are on the rise, and Universal Mind has established itself as the leader in this field.

"Being honored for the second consecutive year on the Inc. 500 is a huge accomplishment for us and reflects our commitment to delivering the best solutions possible to our customers," said Brett Cortese, president, Universal Mind. "Rich Internet applications are rapidly moving from the realm of nice-to-have toys to a competitive must have product. This change, combined with our extensive experience and dedication to excellence, has made us an RIA development firm of choice."

The 2008 Inc. 500, as revealed in the September issue of Inc. magazine (on newsstands August 26 - September 30), reported aggregate revenue of $13.7 billion and median three-year growth of 1,046%. Total sales for Inc. 500 companies were 14 percent below last year's combined revenue of $16 billion; still, it was a stellar year for many companies. Not only did sales for this year's top 50 growers outstrip those of last year's top 50 by $541 million, but this year's fastest 50 also boasted a staggering 47 percent jump in average three-year growth from last year's top of the class. Additionally, the 2008 Inc. 500 companies were engines of job growth, having created more than 51,414 jobs since those companies were founded.

Complete information on this year's Inc. 500, including company profiles and a list of the fastest-growing companies that can be sorted by industry and region, can be found at www.inc5000.com.

Hottest Industries for Fastest-Growing Businesses

The largest business category is IT Services, with 67 Inc. 500 companies. Business Services (59 companies), Advertising & Marketing, and Government Services (35 companies each), and Software (28 companies) round out the top five industries ranked on the 2008 Inc. 500.

Industries reporting the highest total revenue from 2004 to 2007 are Computers & Electronics ($2.1 billion), Energy ($1.3 billion), Government Services ($1.2 billion), IT Services ($974.2 million), and Real Estate ($909.3 million).

Methodology

The 2008 Inc. 500/5000 list measures revenue growth from 2004 through 2007. To qualify, companies must be U.S.-based and privately held, independent -- not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies -- as of December 31, 2007, and have had at least $200,000 in revenue in 2004, and $2 million in 2007.

Companies can apply for next year's Inc. 500/5000 by registering with "IncBizNet, Business Network for Private Companies," at www.incbiznet.com.

4,500 Reasons to Quash Your Recession Fears

Last year we celebrated the 26th anniversary of the Inc. 500 by expanding the list tenfold, creating the first-ever Inc. 5000. Complete results of the Inc. 5000 can be found at www.inc5000.com, where you can scan profiles of honorees, view lists of the fastest-growing companies by industry and region, and sort the data according to your own parameters.

About Inc. magazine

Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, LLC., Inc. magazine (www.inc.com) is the only major business magazine dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies that delivers real solutions for today's innovative company builders. With a total paid circulation of 724,110, Inc. provides hands-on tools and market-tested strategies for managing people, finances, sales, marketing, and technology.

About Universal Mind

Universal Mind provides professional services and solutions based on Rich Internet Application (RIA) technology for enterprises and public sector organizations. The company provides optimized web solutions and creates engaging user interfaces that enhance information delivery solving critical business problems. The Universal Mind team, one of the largest collections of RIA experts in the world, has completed hundreds of successful implementations for highly satisfied enterprise customers across industries and geographies. Featured on Inc. Magazine's 500 Fastest Growing Companies in 2007, Universal Mind was founded in 2003 and serves customers around the world with offices in Golden, Colorado and Westfield, Massachusetts.

     MEDIA CONTACT:
     Matt McCarthy
     Emerge Public Relations
     617-729-3175
     Email Contact