Nivio Selected as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer for 2009

Young Londoner’s innovative approach to simplifying computing recognised as visionary by global experts

Switzerland, 12 December 2008 – The World Economic Forum have announced that Nivio, the company that is bringing the power of cloud computing to consumers, has been selected as a Technology Pioneer for 2009. Nivio joins an elite group of 34 visionary companies chosen by a panel of experts for their accomplishments as innovators whose technologies will have a deep impact on business and society.

Sachin Duggal CEO of Nivio, founded the company with best friend Saurabh Dhoot whilst at Imperial College in London. Duggal, a 25 year old Londoner will now be joining global leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland between the 28th of January and the 1st of February 2009 and at the Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian, China, during September 2009.

“We are honoured to have been chosen as a Technology Pioneer; it’s indeed very exciting to know that a panel of experts think we are on to something! I have a strong vision of making computing as simple & affordable as Cable TV; available globally.” said Duggal, “Joining the World Economic Forum will provide an opportunity for discussions with partners and the leaders who have the power to make decisions that will help extend private, personal, access to computing to the developing world (where penetration is in single digits), and reduce the complexity and environmental damage that the current “upgrade treadmill” approach to computing forces on consumers.”

Nivio provides each of its users with a personal, secure virtual Windows Desktop running in the Cloud, accessible through internet connected devices & computers.

Nivio can be bundled with a device for the 5bn people in the world without a computer, or used through internet cafés or on any connected. It promotes freedom; liberating the users from current frustrations of data loss, obsolescence, viruses and accessibility.

Celebrating technological innovation

Now in its tenth year the Technology Pioneers programme of the Forum aims to recognize companies at the forefront of technology and innovation.

The Technology Pioneers for 2009 were chosen after a vigorous selection process; applications from around the globe were evaluated by 44 global technology experts.

To make the final list a company must be involved in the development of life-changing technology innovation and have the potential for long-term impact on business and society.

Notes to Editors

Visit http://www.weforum.org/techpioneers for the entire list of Technology Pioneers
For an interview with Sachin Duggal please contact Allan Edwards, Chameleon PR on allan {at} chameleonpr(.)com, +44 (0)207 680 5500 or +44 7956 583080

About Nivio

Nivio, who have delivered the world’s first on-line windows desktop, is a utility-computing company that makes the complex world of computing as easy as Cable TV for consumers and small businesses. Users can now simply enjoy the “use” of computing without the headaches and complexities associated with them (installing applications, constantly upgrading, fighting viruses, data loss etc). In short, Nivio provides a full virtual Windows Desktop that can be accessed through any internet connected computer and soon any internet connected device.

Designed both as an on-line service and an on-line service bundled with a device – small, affordable (circa US$100), low power, low maintenance – Nivio offers a solution to customers in the developing and developed world; for those with a PC and those without a PC.

The selection of Nivio by the WEF as a Technology Pioneer is the latest recognition of the potential for Nivio to change the computing landscape. With this award, Nivio joins a prestigious group of companies that include Mozilla Firefox, Google and Corel.

Processor manufacturer AMD partnered with Nivio 2 years ago under its 50×15 initiative,(www.50×15.com) as it believed Nivio was going to be an instrumental partner to make sure 50% of the world had computing access by 2015.

More recently, the potential of Nivio was seized by India’s largest private telco, Bharti Airtel Limited, who signed an agreement to launch co-branded services to its millions of customers across India.

Nivio is a start-up company with head-quarters in Switzerland and R&D in India. It was founded in August 2004 and successfully launched its’ on-line service in April 2008 with over 35,000 beta registrations to date. It is set to begin a full-scale launch of the device globally in 2009; with a focus on emerging markets where PC penetration is less than 3-4% of the population.

You can try or join Nivio at: www.nivio.com

About the WEF Technology Pioneers Programme

The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas. Incorporated as a foundation in 1971, and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no political, partisan or national interests. Further Details : http://www.weforum.org

The Technology Pioneers programme of the Forum, aims to recognize companies at the forefront of technology and innovation. The programme so far has identified around 400 companies that have contributed to the Forum’s mission of improving the state of the world.

To be selected as a Technology Pioneer, a company must be involved in the development of life-changing technology innovation and have the potential for long-term impact on business and society. In addition, it must demonstrate visionary leadership and show all the signs of being a long-standing market leader – and its technology must be proven. Previous Technology Pioneers include 23andme, Amyris Biotechnologies, Google, Gridpoint, Infosys, Kaspersky Lab, Mozilla Corporation and Nanosolar.

Full details of the Technology Pioneers Programme can be found at: http://www.weforum.org/techpioneers.

Press contacts

Allan Edwards / Adrian Ma

Chameleon PR

Allan {at} chameleonpr(.)com / Adrian {at} chameleonpr(.)com

Office : +44 (0)207 680 5500

Mobile: +44 (0)7956 583080