The MountainWest Capital Network (MWCN) (www.mwcn.org) is currently accepting applications for the 2010 MWCN Utah 100 Awards, which includes awards for the 100 Fastest Growing companies, the 15 Top Revenue Growth companies, and the 13 Emerging Elite companies in Utah. Candidates must be Utah-based, for-profit entities. Nominate online at www.mwcn.org starting June 1, or call MWCN at 801.966.1705 for an application. The deadline for applications is July 21st 2010.

The Utah 100 is determined by the percentage of revenue increase from 2005 through 2009 for each company. Top Revenue Growth winners have the largest dollar amount of revenue growth over a five-year period. The Emerging Elite are selected from among companies with less than five, but more than two, years of operation that show significant promise for future success.

The MWCN Utah 100 awards program will be held on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at noon at the Grand America hotel in Salt Lake City, where winners will be recognized for their success and the energy and entrepreneurial spirit they bring to Utah. Winners will be publicized in a special issue of Utah CEO Magazine as well as through the event’s radio sponsors KUER and KALL. Details are available at www.mwcn.org.

MountainWest Capital Network (MWCN) is Utah's first and largest business networking organization devoted to supporting entrepreneurial success, and dedicated to the flow of financial, entrepreneurial and intellectual capital.

A. Cory Maloy
801.994.9625
cory@snappconner.com

Cheri Farnsworth
(801) 966-1705
cheri@mwcn.org

Despite a generally tough year for business and capital formation due to the economic downturn nationally, Utah companies and investors continued to conduct deals throughout 2009 according to the 15th annual MountainWest Capital Network (MWCN) Deal Flow Report released today at the Utah Deal Flow Conference. www.mwcn.org

According to the report, 126 deals took place among Utah businesses—94 funded by venture capital, angels and seed stage investment; 31 merger and acquisitions; and one public offering. In 2008 there were 141 deals.

Due to the difficult state of the economy, overall deals were down compared to 2008, but there was a significant increase in angel and seed stage investments.

"Many expected dramatically fewer deals in 2009, particularly funding deals. The Deal Flow Report clearly shows the strength of Utah’s capital community,” said Lex Watterson, president of MountainWest Capital Network. "The deals conducted were strong and indicate that Utah corporations and entrepreneurs continue to come up with innovative ideas supported by investors from within and without Utah.”

Highlights from the 2009 report:

· There were 94 deals reported in 2009, down from 97 in 2008, by venture capital firms, angels and seed stage investment. Several large investment deals pushed 2009 total investments to $663 million—an increase over the $404 million in 2008.

· Mergers and acquisitions remained slow in 2009 with 31 compared to 34 in 2008. Total valuation was approximately $2.7 billion compared to $3.2 billion in 2008.

· There was one initial public offering in 2009 compared to nine in 2008.

The notable 2009 deals included Ancestry.com, $100 million IPO; Coherex, financing; and Omniture/Adobe, merger. InnoVentures Capital Partners, vSpring Capital, and Park City Angel Network were top investors.

"As an angel investor, the Deal Flow Report helps me and my colleagues see the types of deals that are getting Series B and seeing exits so we know where to position our time and energy,” said Ted McAleer, co-founder of Park City Angel Network. "MWCN is providing a great service for all of the members of the Utah financial capital community in putting together the Deal Flow Report.”

The report represents the most comprehensive and complete annual assessment of capital raising and business transactions compiled in Utah. The Deal Flow Report does not contain information on transactions that were either confidential or otherwise not publicly disclosed.

This year in conjunction with the annual Deal Flow Report, MWCN conducted the Deal Flow Conference themed, How to Fund, Finance, Sell or Buy a Business in Utah.

"We believe the Deal Flow Report provides the only comprehensive deals results in Utah,” said Watterson. "We wanted to take the Deal Flow Report to the next level by providing a conference designed for businesses, entrepreneurs and investors on how to prepare and conduct a deal.” The Deal Flow Conference included seminars on benchmarking deal terms and valuations, any stage bank financing options, preparing your business for sale, exploring early-state financing options, how private equity works, and what to expect when selling your business.

David Bradford, Chairman of Fusion-io was the keynote speaker and spoke on Seven Steps to Building a Billion Dollar Company in Utah.

The Deal Flow Report is published each year by MWCN in order to further its mission to foster the dynamic flow of information about capital formation and distribution, educate and mentor excellence, recognize and reward business success and performance and foster relationships through networking.

MWCN members, sponsors, and guest’s of the Deal Flow conference and luncheon receive the Deal Flow Report. Others can purchase the report or obtain a PDF copy at www.mwcn.org.

About MountainWest Capital Network Founded in Salt Lake City in1983, the objective of the MountainWest Capital Network – is to Inspire, Inform, Instruct and Connect Utah dealmakers and entrepreneurs to facilitate business growth. MWCN has provided the Deal Flow Report since 1995. www.mwcn.org

In conjunction with its annual Deal Flow luncheon, the MountainWest Capital Network (MWCN) (www.mwcn.org) will conduct an expanded Deal Flow Conference themed, How to Fund, Finance, Sell or Buy a Business in Utah.

MWCN will also make available to the public its 2009 Deal Flow Report. The report publishes information on more than 120 Utah venture capital, private equity, merger, acquisition and IPO transactions in 2009. The Deal Flow Report also provides companion instruction on aspects of deal flow and directories of those funding and facilitating transactions.

The Deal Flow Conference will be held Thursday, May 20, 2010 at the Grand America Hotel from 8:00 am to 1:15 pm.

At 8:30 am, the Conference will feature David Bradford, Chairman of Fusion-io, as its keynote speaker. Bradford will speak on, Seven Steps to Building a Billion Dollar Company in Utah.

The conference will have the following breakout seminars:

9:30 am

· Benchmarking Deal Terms and Valuations from Across the U.S.
· Any Stage Bank Financing Options
· Preparing Your Business for Sale

10:30

· Exploring Early-State Financing Options – What’s Available and How to Get It
· Private Equity: How it Works and What to Expect
· Selling Your Business—What to Expect

12:00 Noon

· MWCN Deal Flow Luncheon: Presentation of the Deal Flow Report and Resource, Analysis of 2009 Utah Deal Flow and Recognition of Utah Deals and Dealmakers.

MWCN Members and non-members can register for The Deal Flow Conference online at: https://mwcn.site-ym.com/events/register.asp?id=106618 Discounts are available for early registration.

About MountainWest Capital Network

Founded in Salt Lake City in1983, the objective of the MountainWest Capital Network – is to Inspire, Inform, Instruct and Connect Utah dealmakers and entrepreneurs to facilitate business growth. MWCN has provided the Deal Flow Report since 1995. www.mwcn.org

MountainWest Capital Network (MWCN) (www.mwcn.org) selected the late Larry H. and Karen Gail Miller as its Entrepreneur of the Decade (2001- 2010) for their lifetime entrepreneurial achievements in Utah.

"The impact the Millers have on our community and business environment is immeasurable,” said Lex Watterson, president of MWCN. "We are thrilled to highlight such a great and successful family partnership as our Entrepreneur of the Decade. Their success provides insight and inspiration to other entrepreneurs, their spouses, and their families.”

The Millers utilized an entrepreneurial drive and spirit to build a small empire of businesses, comprising the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies, in two key areas—automotive, and sports and entertainment. The automotive business includes 39 auto dealerships in seven western states with auto finance (Prestige Financial) and insurance (Landcar Agency) companies. The sports and entertainment business is comprised of 10 properties including the NBA’s Utah Jazz basketball team, the Salt Lake Bees triple-A baseball team, Miller Motorsports Park, Megaplex Theatres, EnergySolutions Arena, All-Star Catering, KJZZ-TV, 1320 AM KFAN, Jordan Commons office/retail complex and Fanzz sports retail apparel stores. In addition, the group owns a full-service advertising agency.

"The Larry H. Miller Group is synonymous with success,” said Watterson. "We heard Larry on many occasions say, ‘Gail and I were talking about….’ Larry and Gail represent the most important entrepreneurial relationship—that of an entrepreneurial couple and their family.”

Each year MWCN recognizes the Entrepreneur of the Year—an entrepreneur who has demonstrated an ability to achieve significant entrepreneurial success, made a positive contribution to the entrepreneurial climate of Utah, and shown a propensity for giving back to the community. "The great people we’ve recognized over the years have created a legacy of entrepreneurship,” said Steve Grizzell, chairman of the MWCN Entrepreneur of the Decade committee. "As two of the greatest of the great entrepreneurs here in Utah, we are pleased to recognize the Millers as part of that legacy.”

To fully comprehend the contribution the Millers have made to Utah, a 2004 Dan Jones & Associates poll commissioned by the Millers found nearly all Utahns (99 percent) do business with one or more of the Miller companies. See Deseret News article. In addition to the success of their many business ventures, the Millers contribute to the community by funding approximately 300 college scholarships for students in need, donating millions of dollars to communities where they do business through Larry H. Miller Charities, and among many other community service activities, donate millions more to Utah-based colleges and universities for campus improvements.

Gail Miller will accept the Entrepreneur of the Decade award at the award luncheon February 5, 2010 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Salt Lake City Little America Hotel.

About MountainWest Capital Network The MountainWest Capital Network is Utah's first and largest business-networking organization devoted to supporting entrepreneurial success by fostering the dynamic flow of information about capital formation and distribution, educating and mentoring excellence, and recognizing and rewarding performance. MWCN accomplishes this through signature activities and events, such as the Utah 100, real-time Deal Flow reporting and recognition, and presentations by industry experts. Reach MWCN at 801-966-1430 or at www.mwcn.org.