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Small Business Technology Institute and Intel Announce Top Five Finalists in the World of Difference Nationwide Contest

Five Small Business Finalists to Present Business Proposals at New York City World of Difference Learning and Development Conference

Finalists Chosen From Birmingham, MI; Grenada, MS; Oakland, CA; Portland, OR; and Wilkes-Barre, PA

The Small Business Technology Institute and Intel Corporation today announced the five small business finalists from The World of Difference contest. The contest provides small businesses with an opportunity to discover how technology can improve their business and win a credit of $100,000 worth of technology products, services and training. The finalists will present their business proposals to a panel of judges on Thursday, January 26, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. EST at The World of Difference Learning and Development Conference in New York City. These finalists were chosen from among more than 2,300 small business entrants across the United States:

--  Birmingham Maple Clinic (www.birminghammaple.com) of Birmingham,
    Michigan, teamed with Intel reseller Qualitech;
--  Litmus Design + Architecture, LLC (www.litmus3d.com) of Portland,
    Oregon, teamed with Intel reseller Computer Technology Link;
--  Mannequin Madness (www.mannequinmadness.com) of Oakland, California,
    teamed with Intel reseller PC Club;
--  Midsouth Produce Company, Inc. (www.midsouthproduce.com) of Grenada,
    Mississippi, teamed with Intel reseller Howard Co. Computers & Electronics,
    Inc.;
--  The Sindaco Law Firm (www.sindacolaw.com) of Wilkes-Barre,
    Pennsylvania, teamed with Intel reseller Cobalt Computers.
    

"The top five World of Difference contest finalists are small businesses that have been able to develop and articulate a strong vision and demonstrate a keen understanding of how technology acts as an innovation catalyst and an indispensable engine to sustain business performance for both short and long term success," said Andrea Peiro, CEO of the Small Business Technology Institute. "We look forward to hearing the finalists present how their technology vision will influence their business at The World of Difference Learning and Development Conference."

"To help stimulate technology adoption amongst the rapidly growing number of small businesses in America, Intel is excited to provide matchmaking between the small businesses and Intel's reseller channel members. This collaboration is intended to help increase the profitability and efficiency of the visions articulated by the small business contestants," said Will Swope, Vice President and Director of Intel Enterprise Brand.

About The World of Difference Contest

More than 2,300 small businesses entered The World of Difference contest in July 2005 with 178 entries advancing to the next stage based on developing compelling vision statements on how information technology will make their business successful. Fifty-three small businesses with the top-scoring business cases were selected to work with an Intel channel member to create a business proposal. From the 53 business cases, five were selected as finalists.

The five small business finalists will present their business proposal live on stage during an invitation-only program on Thursday, January 26, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. EST /10:00 a.m. PST. The presentations will be scored based on input from an onsite panel of judges, plus scores submitted by all authorized Intel resellers in attendance at the conference and authorized Intel resellers participating in the conference via the World Wide Web, accessible at www.theworldofdifference.org beginning at 8:00 a.m. PST on January 26th. Selected live on stage, the winner receives a $100,000 credit for free information technology, products, services and training with the partnering Intel channel member, plus a $5,000 cash prize. The Intel channel member also receives $50,000 in marketing development funds from Intel.

After the award ceremony on January 26th, Intel and the Small Business Technology Institute will host The World of Difference Learning Conference on Friday, January 27th (open to the public). Small business owners, managers and staff can obtain details and register online at www.theworldofdifference.org/ny.

About the Small Business Technology Institute

The Small Business Technology Institute (SBTI) is a non-profit organization that fosters the adoption of information technologies among small businesses through information technology awareness, education, counseling and support services for businesses with up to 300 employees. Additionally, SBTI provides technology developers and vendors with market intelligence and knowledge to ensure the development of products that meet the needs of small businesses. For more information, please visit www.sbtechnologyinstitute.org.

Editor's Note: For media interviews, images or to register to attend The World of Difference event on January 26 and 27, please contact Nellie Wong at (415) 561-0888 ext. 2306 or nellie@landispr.com

Distributed by Market Wire