UBM TechInsights Launches 10th Annual Insight Awards

OTTAWA, Ontario, Dec. 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- UBM TechInsights today announced the launch of the 10th edition of its annual Insight Awards Program, along with the categories now open for nominations.

As one of the founders of the semiconductor forensic analysis industry, UBM TechInsights created the Insight Awards to recognize semiconductor companies for their technical achievements and innovations in design and engineering. To mark the 10th anniversary of the program, the Insight Awards have been expanded with a number of new categories that reflect the changing landscape of the semiconductor and electronics industries. As well, in recognition of the increasing role of China in the semiconductor industry, a dedicated China Insight Awards program is being launched.

According to a recent study by PwC, China accounted for at least 7.5% of worldwide semiconductor production in 2009, up from just 2% in 2000. Significantly, China's share of first issued semiconductor patents has grown from zero in 2006 to 24.1% in 2009 while its share of worldwide semiconductor technology-focused patents published by year is forecast to reach 33% in 2010.

"Over the past decade, the Insight Awards have become one of the most coveted awards for semiconductor circuit and process designers around the world. Our expansion of the program to include new categories of technological innovation, plus a special focus on China, mirrors our dynamic industry, with its constantly evolving ideas, devices and products," said Emil Alexov, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, UBM TechInsights. "For our 10th edition, we look back with admiration at previous award winners while looking forward with excitement to the innovations still to come."

The expanded 10th edition of the Insight Awards features the following 8 global categories:

• Most Innovative Memory Product
• Most Innovative Device for Mobile Applications
• Most Innovative Semiconductor Company
• Most Innovative Sensor Technology
• Most Innovative Process Technology
• Most Innovative Medical Device
• 2011 Mobile Product of the Year
• 2011 Semiconductor of the Year

This year also marks the introduction of the following categories for the first-ever China Insight Awards:

• 2011 Chinese Semiconductor of the Year
• 2011 Chinese Mobile Product of the Year
• Most Innovative Chinese Semiconductor Company

With the launch of the 10th edition of the Insight Awards, the following categories are now open for nominations and will be accepting submissions until July 31st, 2011:

• Most Innovative Memory Product
• Most Innovative Medical Device
• 2011 Mobile Product of the Year
• 2011 Chinese Mobile Product of the Year

Nomination forms and evaluation criteria are available on the Insight Awards home page.

Category winners will be announced as they are confirmed throughout 2011.

Past winners of UBM TechInsights Insight Awards are a "who's who" of the leading component and semiconductor manufacturers from around the world and feature some of the most innovative devices created during the past decade including:

Intel (2009 Winner for the Intel Westmere 32nm CPU)

Qualcomm (2007 Winner for the Qualcomm MSM6260 Multimedia Platform)

Samsung (2007 Winner for the Samsung 51nm MLC NAND Flash)

About UBM TechInsights

UBM TechInsights provides professional services and essential intelligence to manage technology and Intellectual Property (IP) portfolios. With over 20 years of experience in technical analysis and IP matters UBM TechInsights provides a comprehensive IP management process that delivers maximum strategic advantage and financial returns for customers around the world. The company provides information and customized services in IP, Technical Intelligence, and Business Intelligence for each stage of the IP lifecycle. Global markets served include Automotive, Clean Technologies, Consumer Electronics, Investment, Legal, Medical Devices, Semiconductors, and Software. For more information, please visit www.ubmtechinsights.com.

SOURCE UBM TechInsights