Governor's Commission Honors NETGEAR with California Innovation Award

The award ceremony in Irvine on April 25 formed part of the California Tech 100 conference. The California Tech 100 is endorsed by the California Commission for Jobs and Economic Growth, a nonprofit corporation whose members are chosen by the governor to advise him on how to expand jobs and economic growth in the state.

"With the level of fierce competition in California, it is quite an honor to be named among the state's top 15 innovators," stated Patrick Lo, chairman and CEO of NETGEAR. "Winning this award serves as a testament to our steadfast dedication to developing innovative networking products for the Digital Home and small to medium-sized businesses." Mr. Lo was also the 2006 recipient of the esteemed Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year National Award in the technology category.

Managed by the California Space Authority (CSA), and administered through the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency (LWDA), the California Innovation Corridor is one of the state's initiatives to foster innovation and includes more than 60 partner organizations throughout 13 counties.

The California Innovation Corridor Partners reviewed a pool of nearly 300 nominees before reducing the list to 75 Innovation All-Stars and 15 California Innovation Award winners. Companies were honored based on market leadership, employment figures, continuous innovation of products and services, contribution to the California economy, and significant accomplishments in 2006. Other companies designated as California Innovation Award recipients include Juniper Networks, Network Appliance, Trimble Navigation, QUALCOMM and Symantec.

"We believe innovation and entrepreneurship are the drivers of economic growth in California," added Mark Mosher, executive director for the California Commission for Jobs and Economic Growth. "These Innovation All-Stars are models for our state" - NETGEAR.