PALO ALTO, Calif., July 6 /PRNewswire/ -- AlwaysOn and KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm, announced today the AO100 Top Private Companies for 2004. AlwaysOn editors compiled the second-annual elite AO100 list with assistance from KPMG's emerging business practice, KPMG 1Start. The two groups surveyed more than 1,000 venture investors, investment bankers, top entrepreneurs and executives, who nominated more than 700 companies to determine the AO100 winners.

All innovators in their given technology sectors, each of the AO100 winners demonstrate leadership among their peers in at least two areas: market traction measured by revenue or customer growth, and game-changing approaches and technologies that are likely to disrupt existing markets and entrenched players.

"Led by two of last year's winners, Google and Salesforce.com, the top private companies of the second generation of the Internet are now coming into focus," notes AlwaysOn Editor, Tony Perkins. "A total of 50 new companies were added to this year's list including many that are beginning to receive lots of media attention like Skype, Friendster, MySQL and Digital Chocolate."

The premise of the AO100 list was developed from the demand by consumers and businesses requiring new technologies for greater access to the Web and applications that provide more convenience and productivity. This increased demand is creating new opportunities for innovative new companies that are well positioned to bring about a change in the market.

According to Padraic Kelly, partner in charge of KPMG 1Start, "Many of these private companies said that they were beating their internal revenue projections for 2004. This may indicate that the IPO calendar for the second half of this year should be strong."

Fifty of last year's AO100 companies have returned to this year's top company list. Eighteen of last year's winners have either gone public, are currently in registration for their IPO, or were bought for a profit.

The AO100 Top Private AlwaysOn Companies:

2Wire Inc., Above All Software, Adspace, Agitar, Airgo Networks, AmberPoint, Application Security, Arbortext, ArcSight, Aruba Wireless Networks, Atomz Corporation, AuctionDrop, AuthenTec, Inc., AWS, BitFone, Blazent, Boingo Wireless, Cambridge Positioning Systems, Cast Iron Systems, Cavium Networks, Datasweep, DataSynapse, DemandTec, Digital Chocolate, Digital Harbor, Digitalpath Networks, DivXNetworks, Inc., eCredit, eDocs, Egenera, Encover, Endeca, eSilicon, Everbee Networks, Feedster, FIOS, Flarion, Forescout Technologies, Friendster, Good Technology, Gracenote, Grand Central Communications, Groove Networks, Groxis, Homestead, Huaya Microelectronics, Ikanos, IMlogic, Infinera, Ingenio, InphoMatch, Inxight Software, Inc., IP Core, IPWireless, Ironport, Isilon Systems, iSuppli, Ketera, Konarka Technologies, Mark Logic, Mediabolic, Metamatrix, Mirra, Mobileway, MontaVista Software, Inc., MySQL, nCircle, Netezza, NetMotion Wireless, Inc., NetScaler, Inc., newScale, Inc., NextHop Technologies, Nth Orbit, OpenNetwork Technologies, Peribit, PGP Corporation, Pixim, Plaxo, Pronto Networks, Rackspace Managed Hosting, Reactivity, Redline Networks, Reflectivity, Revenue Science, Simple Devices, Skype, Sourcefire, Sylantro, TelASIC, Topspin Communications, Tripwire, TurnTide, Ucentric, Unicru, Vocera Communications, Inc., Voltage Security, WholeSecurity, Wily Technology, Zantaz, ZettaCore

The AO100 companies will be honored at a reception during the upcoming AO2004: The Innovation Summit to be held July 13-15 at Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center on the Stanford University Campus. This event is being produced in partnership with the Stanford Technology Ventures Program.

About AlwaysOn

AlwaysOn (AO) is an "open source media company" dedicated to connecting global leaders and technology industry insiders whose ideas and innovations are shaping the always-on world.

Founded in January of 2003, AO is the first and only media brand to combine participatory journalism (blogging), with a powerful social network- the AO Zaibatsu. AO believes that individuals and businesses will increasingly use interactive media applications to "step over the head of the media" and communicate directly to customers, suppliers and employees.

AlwaysOn, LLC, is a privately held and virtually headquartered company born out of the heart of Silicon Valley.

About KPMG

KPMG LLP is the audit, tax and advisory firm that has maintained a continuous commitment throughout its history to providing leadership, integrity and quality. The Big Four firm with the strongest growth record over the past decade, KPMG turns knowledge into value for the benefit of its clients, people, communities and the capital markets. Its professionals work together to provide clients access to global support, industry insights, and a multidisciplinary range of services. KPMG LLP ( http://www.us.kpmg.com ) is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International. KPMG International's member firms have nearly 100,000 professionals, including 6,800 partners, in 148 countries.