Geneva, 20 November 2008 - The third “Audemars Piguet Changing Times Award” goes to Lars Björk, CEO of the Swedish company QlikTech, world leader in new generation Business Intelligence solutions. Lars Björk is the 2008 European technology entrepreneur of the year. Alfresco (United Kingdom) was awarded the Next Gem prize and the Medtech Award went to CoreValve.
 

Mr. Lars Björk (QlikTech) and Mr. Georges-Henri Meylan (Audemars Piguet)

For the third consecutive year, the watchmaker from Brassus organised the Audemars Piguet Changing Times Award, in conjunction with European Tech Tour and Schroders. The award is presented to the European high-tech company that has made the greatest impact on the largest number of people, in the least amount of time. 
 
The overall winner for 2008 is QlikTech, for their analysis and reporting solutions for companies and individuals. The company's flagship product, QlikView, offers intuitive visual solutions for data management. The Business Intelligence application uses patented In Memory technology to link data from multiple sources. Founded in Sweden in 1993, QlikTech has branches throughout Europe and over 500 partners worldwide. The head office is located in Radnor, Pennsylvania (United States). QlikTech has over 10,000 clients in 90 countries and its turnover has grown by more than 80% over the past three years. 
 
During the prize-giving ceremony held in the Dinemec recording studios in Gland, Switzerland, today, Lars Björk, CEO of QlikTech said, it is a big honour and great recognition for QlikTech to receive this prestigious prize. It validates that user-centric, easy to use technology is sought after in the market.

Mr. John Powell (Alfresco), Mr. Lars Björk (QlikTech), Mrs. Rafaele Tordjman (on behalf of CoreValve) and Mr. Georges-Henri Meylan (Audemars Piguet)

 
The Next Gem prize for the company with the most potential was awarded to the British company Alfresco, which publishes Open Source business content management solutions. Alfresco has combined innovative Open Source concepts with the stability and performance of a dedicated business platform to create a more innovative, faster and cheaper application. Founded in 2005 by John Newton and John Powell, Alfresco achieved astounding growth of 100% in one year. The Jury wanted to commend this pioneering company, which has the potential to become a future leader. 
 
The special Medtech Award went to medical technology start-up CoreValve. CoreValve develops aortic heart valve replacement solutions that do not require surgery. Thanks to the company's ReValving system, aortic valve replacement can be performed in a cardiac catheterisation laboratory, without the need for open-heart surgery. The company, established in 2001 by Professor Jacques Seguin, is now located in Irvine, California.
 
Georges-Henri Meylan, Managing Director and President of Audemars Piguet, is pleased that this latest edition of the “Audemars Piguet Changing Times Award” has been so successful. He comments, "Audemars Piguet was established in 1875 by two men with vision, ideas, a passion for watchmaking, and great entrepreneurial spirit, who decided to pool their strengths and create the company. Subsequent generations have continued to pursue their dream. Each milestone is distinguished by the use of avant-garde production techniques and the company's exclusive savoir-faire. Audemars Piguet has become what it is today thanks to the work of inventive, daring and innovative men and women. We are therefore extremely aware of the role of business people have in the economy, and in society in general. By awarding the European entrepreneur of the year, we aim to both commend and encourage entrepreneurial spirit, because it is this very spirit that helps us to achieve change." 
 
The award is intended to support innovative European companies and reflects the values expounded by the prestigious watch manufacturer, such as audacity, top performance and state-of-the-art technology. The last two award-winners have experienced outstanding growth, illustrating the relevance of the “Audemars Piguet Changing Times Award”. 
 
The gala event also provided an opportunity for the 250 guests to meet with groundbreaking business people, numerous investors, and top executives from leading companies.

Source: Audemars Piguet