 |  | |
|
2007Inspiration Software Selected as a Finalist for the EdNET 2007 Industry AwardsPORTLAND, OR — August 9, 2007 The Impact Award is part of the prestigious EdNET Industry Awards program, now in its 15th year. A panel of leading education industry experts selected the finalists for the EdNET 2007 Industry Awards, which is sponsored by The Heller Reports and Quality Education Data (QED), a Scholastic company and leading provider of integrated marketing services for the pre-K through higher education markets. "The organizations recognized as finalists this year embody the leadership and far-reaching thought that is so vital to the success of our nation's students. The EdNET Awards recognize the hard work and dedication that these businesses have devoted to providing greater educational opportunities for all students," said Michael Jay, president of Educational Systemics, the coordinators of this year's Industry Awards Program. "Today's education business community is full of visionaries who are pushing themselves and their organizations to bring innovative new ways of educating today's youth to market. The products, services and ideas represented by this year's EdNET Industry Award finalists are exceptional. We're honored to have the opportunity to showcase them at this year's EdNET conference," said Andy Lacy, general manager of QED. Award winners will be announced on Sept. 11, 2007, during the EdNET Conference in Chicago. For more information about the awards program, visit www.QEDDdata.com or phone 800-525-5811, ext. 9421. About EdNET About Inspiration Software Inspiration Software Honored for Contributions to Education Technology Visual Learning Software Company Celebrates 25th Anniversary With 2007 EdNET Impact Award PORTLAND, OR – Sept. 19, 2007 Inspiration Software is the only organization to have been honored three times in the 15-year history of the EdNET Industry Awards program. In 2001, the company received the Pioneer Award for contributing most significantly to the growth of the market and, in 2000, won a HERO Award for having a positive impact on education through technology. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Inspiration Software has been under the continuous leadership of its co-founders, Donald Helfgott and Mona Westhaver. The privately held company is recognized as the leader in visual thinking and learning. The company's award-winning software products, Inspiration®, Kidspiration® and InspireData®, are based on proven visual learning methodologies. With the powerful combination of visual learning and technology, students in grades K-12 learn to clarify thoughts, organize and analyze information, integrate new knowledge and think critically. "We have spent a quarter century committed to developing visual learning software tools that will help students build the thinking skills necessary to achieve at the highest levels and to become successful, contributing members of 21st century society," said Mona Westhaver, president and co-founder, Inspiration Software. "Our success is a tribute to the talented, creative educators around the world who use visual learning instructional strategies with their students every day. We are proud to celebrate our silver anniversary with this prestigious honor from our colleagues in the education technology industry." In recognizing Inspiration Software, the judges said the company is "definitely unique in the industry." They called its products “wonderful tools to help students think logically and creatively." Further, they said the lesson plan books, guides and resources that complement Inspiration Software's visual learning software "support teachers as inspiration for student learning.” They concluded, "The skills that students acquire this way will last a lifetime." A panel of leading education industry experts selected the finalists for the EdNET 2007 Industry Awards, which is sponsored by The Heller Reports and Quality Education Data (QED), a Scholastic company. This year's award program's industry lead sponsor was Texas Instruments, supporting sponsor was Words & Numbers, and the program was coordinated by Educational Systemics. About EdNET About Inspiration Software, Inc. 2005Inspiration Software Named to 2005 List of Oregon's 100 Best Companies to Work For Educational Software Company Recognized for the Third Time by Oregon Business Magazine PORTLAND, OR — March 7, 2005 The Oregon Business 2005 100 Best Companies survey had record participation this year, with 255 companies trying for a spot on the list of the top companies to work for in Oregon. Recognized for the third time, the Portland-based educational software company ranked fourth for employee benefits and career development. "A leader in the K-12 education market, Inspiration Software has experienced 12 years of profitable growth and continues to thrive in today's challenging market," said Mona Westhaver, president, Inspiration Software. "Our success is directly attributable to the efforts of our talented, focused, dedicated team of employees here in Portland." Founded more than 20 years ago by Don Helfgott, chief executive officer and Westhaver, Inspiration Software's innovative employee benefits program includes flexible schedules, excellent health benefits for employees and their families, a computer purchase plan, tuition reimbursement, yoga, health club membership assistance, generous employer matching for 401(k) contributions and generous profit sharing bonuses. The 2005 100 Best Companies to Work For survey is Oregon Business magazine's 11th annual study of best practices in the workplace. The survey has two parts, one of which is completed by employees and the other by management. It covers areas including recruiting and hiring, organizational communication, performance standards, benefits, compensation and career development. The answers clarify employee and company opinions about their workplaces. Rankings are derived from scores on both parts of the survey. About Inspiration Software, Inc. Business Journal of Portland Names Inspiration Software®, Inc. one of Oregon's Fastest-Growing Technology and Software Companies Portland-Based Education Software Company Ranked Number #24 PORTLAND, OR — September 9, 2005 Inspiration Software's award-winning products, Kidspiration® and Inspiration®, increase student achievement, helping to build comprehension, writing and thinking skills. Today, qualified research indicates that Inspiration Software's products are utilized by more than 60 percent of all U.S. school districts. About Inspiration Software, Inc. More Past AwardsDeloitte & Touche Names Inspiration Software®, Inc. to Oregon "Technology Fast 50" List for 4th Straight YearPortland-Based Education Software Company Ranked Number #12 PORTLAND, OR - September 12, 2003 Rankings are based on the percentage of growth in fiscal year revenues from 2000-2002. With 66 percent revenue growth over the past three years, Inspiration Software --- makers of visual learning software --- is one of the nation's leading publishers of software for K-12 education and the market leader in its software category. Inspiration Software's award-winning software tools increase student achievement, helping to build comprehension, writing and thinking skills. Today, qualified research indicates that Inspiration Software's products are utilized by more than 60 percent of all U.S. school districts. Mona Westhaver, company co-founder and president, credits educators and student achievement for the company's success. "Creative educators in the U.S. and globally are using Inspiration Software products to enhance and strengthen the learning process in all areas of curriculum. We are committed to making a difference in education," said Westhaver. About Inspiration Software®, Inc. About Deloitte & Touche Inspiration Software®, Inc. Named to 2003 List of Oregon's 100 Best Companies to Work For Educational Software Company Recognized by Oregon Business Magazine for Second Consecutive Year PORTLAND, OR — March 6, 2003 "Inspiration Software has experienced 10 years of profitable growth and is a leader in the K-12 education market. That position can be directly attributed to the efforts of our talented, focused, dedicated team of employees here in Portland," said Don Helfgott, chief executive officer, Inspiration Software. Founded more than 20-years ago by Helfgott and company president Mona Westhaver, Inspiration Software's innovative employee benefits program includes flexible schedules, excellent health benefits for employees and their families, a computer purchase plan, tuition reimbursement, yoga, health club membership assistance, generous employer matching for 401(k) contributions and generous profit sharing bonuses. "We have always felt that creating a work environment where people are supported in their work, acknowledged and treated with respect is key to a successful business," said Westhaver. "We foster an atmosphere where people can bring their knowledge and talents to the work place and enjoy their work." The business benefits of Inspiration Software's work environment are reflected in its employee retention rate of 97 percent and market position in K-12 education. Today, according to market research firm Quality Education Data (QED), a division of Scholastic, more than 60 percent of U.S. school districts use Inspiration Software's products and the company continues to grow and innovate in today's challenging economy. This latest accolade comes in a year of honors for the privately-held creator of visual learning and thinking software for the education market. The company recently ranked 310 in its first appearance on the Inc 500, the list of 500 of the nation's fastest-growing private companies, and was included in Deloitte Touche's North America 2002 Technology Fast 500 and Oregon Technology Fast 50. The company's two products, Inspiration and Kidspiration, are both finalists for the Software & Information Industry Association's (SIIA) 18th Annual Codie Awards. The 2003 100 Best Companies survey is Oregon Business magazine's ninth annual study of the top companies in Oregon to work for. The survey is divided into two parts, one for employees and one for management. It covers areas including recruiting and hiring, organizational communication, performance standards, benefits, compensation, and career development. The answers clarify employee and company opinions about their workplaces. Rankings are derived from survey scores, with the top 10 companies data analyzed by a panel of independent judges. About Inspiration Software, Inc. Inspiration Software®, Inc. Among Entrepreneurial Growth Leaders on this Year's Inc 500 Ranking of Fastest Growing Private Companies Portland Education Software Company Ranked 310th in Debut Appearance on National List PORTLAND, OR - October 15, 2002 Portland-based Inspiration Software achieved 617 percent growth in the past five years, with sales growing from $2,426,104 in 1997 to $17,405,066 in 2001. Inspiration Software is Oregon's leading publisher of education software and the market leader in software for visual learning and thinking. Today, the company’s software has more than 10 million users worldwide. "We founded Inspiration Software based on a vision of how visual learning software develops critical thinking skills and the ways that successful companies operate. We built our products and the company based on those ideas and, in spite of economic ups-and-downs, have experienced positive growth for the past nine consecutive years," said Donald Helfgott, chief executive officer and co-founder, Inspiration Software. "Inspiration Software's Inc 500 ranking reaffirms our founding vision and is testament to the important role that visual learning and technology play in schools today." Started in 1982, Inc 500 ranks the nation's leading entrepreneurial firms according to sales growth over the previous five years. Former companies that have gone on to become household names include Microsoft, Timberland, Domino’s Pizza and Patagonia. The 2002 Inc 500 reveals a surprising resiliency within the entrepreneurial sector, where leading companies are continuing to show dramatic rates of growth despite the recession. The average five-year growth rate of this year's Inc 500 companies is 1,521 percent. While that is less than the 1,933 percent average for companies on last year's list, it is nonetheless dramatic in the current environment. Average 2001 sales for the Inc 500 dropped only slightly, from $24,976,000 to $24,706,000. More than two-thirds (73 percent) of 2002 Inc 500 companies are profitable. Despite the technology bust, "Computer Software & Services" remains the leading industry category, representing nearly 40 percent of firms on the list. "This is the first Inc 500 ranking to reflect the full impact of the recession," said Inc editor John Koten. "Yet these entrepreneurs are managing to confound the naysayers and move ahead despite the obstacles. They’re showing that smart strategies can succeed even in the toughest of times." To be eligible for this year's Inc 500, companies had to be independent and privately held through their fiscal year 2001, have at least $200,000 in sales in the base year of 1997 and their 2001 sales had to have exceeded 2000 sales. Holding companies, regulated banks and utilities are not eligible. Inc verifies all information using tax forms and financial statements from certified public accountants and by conducting interviews with company officials. Inc, the premier magazine for growing companies, may be accessed online at www.inc.com. The magazine is owned by Gruner + Jahr USA, one of the top-ranked magazine publishers in the U.S., reaching one of the largest readerships in America. In addition to Inc, Gruner + Jahr USA publishes Child, Family Circle, Fast Company, Fitness, Inc, Parents and YM. G+J USA is 25.1 percent owned by the Jahr Group and 74.9 percent owned by Bertelsmann AG, the largest privately held and the fifth largest media company overall in the world with yearly revenues at $17.86 billion. About Inspiration Software, Inc. For more information, press only: Inspiration Software®, Inc. Named to Deloitte & Touche's "Technology Fast 500" Education Software Company Marks Debut on Nationwide List PORTLAND, OR - October 23, 2002 One of only five Oregon companies on this year's list, Inspiration Software is the market leader in software for visual learning and thinking. Inspiration®, the company's flagship product, helps students grade six through adult develop ideas and organize thinking. Kidspiration® is designed to help K-5 students organize information, understand concepts and express their thoughts. "As an education software company, Inspiration Software is focused on making a positive difference in students' lives by providing software tools that help students learn to think," said Don Helfgott, CEO and co-founder. "With our products used in more than 60 percent of U.S. school districts, the Technology Fast 500 recognition affirms our belief that a company can make high quality software that supports student learning as well as achieve success as a business." "With its ranking on the prestigious Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 500, Inspiration Software's leaders have proven that they have the vision and the fortitude to excel in the highly competitive technology industry," said Mark A. Evans, managing director of Deloitte & Touche's Technology, Media & Telecommunications Group. "We congratulate Inspiration Software on becoming one of the fastest growing technology companies in the United States and Canada." In addition to ranking on the Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 500, Inspiration Software ranked 11th on the Oregon Technology Fast 50, a ranking of the state's fastest growing technology firms. The Fast 500 list is compiled from three sources: Deloitte & Touche's 20 regional North American Fast 50 programs, nominations submitted directly to the Fast 500 and public company database research. To qualify for the Fast 500, companies must have had 1997 operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD and $75,000 CD, for the United States and Canada respectively, must be public or private companies headquartered in North America, and be "technology companies," defined as companies that own proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues or devote a high percentage of effort to research and development of technology. Technology Fast 500 winners are invited to an exclusive CEO Summit held each spring. The CEO Summit, now in its fifth year, is designed to address the unique business challenges facing these super-charged technology companies. About Inspiration Software, Inc. About Deloitte & Touche For more information, press only: Inspiration Software®, Inc. Named One of Oregon's Fastest Growing Companies for the Third Year in Deloitte & Touche's “Fast 50 Program” Educational Software Company Ranked Number 11 PORTLAND, OR - October 9, 2002 With 147 percent revenue growth over the past three years, Inspiration Software is the state’s leading publisher of educational software and the market leader in software for visual learning and thinking. Founded in 1982 with a focus on business software products, Inspiration Software is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. In 1987, Inspiration began to focus on brainstorming, thinking, and organizing tools. The first version of Inspiration, the premier tool to develop ideas and organize thinking, was released in 1988 and in 1996, the company began to develop Inspiration for use in K-12 schools. Today, according to market research firm Quality Education Data (QED), a division of Scholastic, Inspiration’s products are used by more than 60 percent of U.S. school districts. "Inspiration Software has grown as a company because of our commitment to developing products that offer students of all ages tools for building critical thinking skills," said Mona Westhaver, president and co-founder, Inspiration Software. "Ranking in the Oregon Technology Fast 50 for the third year in a row demonstrates that we are achieving this goal because creative educators everywhere are using Inspiration products to support learning in all areas of the curriculum." To qualify for the Oregon Fast 50, companies must have had operating revenues of at least $50,000 in 1999 and $1,000,000 in 2001, must be a public or private company headquartered in Oregon, and be a "technology company," which is defined as a company that owns proprietary technology which contributes to a significant portion of the company’s operating revenues or devotes a high percentage of effort to research and development of technology. Winners of the 20 regional Technology Fast 50 programs in the U.S. and Canada are automatically entered in the Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 500 program, which ranks North America's top 500 fastest growing technology companies. For more information on the Deloitte & Touche Fast 50 or Fast 500 programs, visit www.fast50.com. About Inspiration Software, Inc. About Deloitte & Touche For more information, press only: Inspiration Software®, Inc. Chosen as One of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in Oregon PORTLAND, OR – March 4, 2002 "Our company's success is due to our great products and service, which are a direct result of the knowledge, skill, and dedication of our employees," says Donald Helfgott, Inspiration Software CEO and cofounder. "Recognizing this, we make it a priority to treat our employees well and to create a great working environment. We are continually looking for ways to improve upon ourselves." One of Inspiration Software's favorite employee benefits is their twice-weekly onsite yoga class. In addition, the company offers flexible schedules, excellent health benefits for employees and their families, a computer purchase plan, tuition reimbursement, health club membership assistance, generous employer matching for 401(k) contributions, and generous profit sharing bonuses. Inspiration Software also prides itself on being a fun, creative, and casual place to work where their staff can make a difference in people's lives. The "100 Best Companies to Work For" is an annual competition conducted by Oregon Business Magazine to identify and honor the business leaders in the state who provide the best workplaces. Every company in the state is eligible for participation. To be evaluated for the 2002 competition, participating companies responded to a two-part survey – one for employees and one for management. An independent panel of judges reviewed the responses and determined the final rankings. Winners were selected based on their excellence in nine criteria: attraction and retention, organizational communication, working environment, decision making and supervision, performance management, rewards and recognition, employee benefits, career development and learning, and leadership and organization effectiveness. The complete listing of winners and their rankings can be found in the March 2002 issue of Oregon Business Magazine. Inspiration Software, Inc. is a privately held corporation that develops, publishes, and distributes premier visual thinking and learning tools for the K-12 education market. Founded in 1982 by Donald Helfgott and Mona Westhaver, the company's mission is to support improvements in education and make a positive difference in students' lives by providing software tools that help students learn to think. Inspiration Software's award-winning, flagship product, Inspiration®, is in use by over one million students worldwide. Released in January 2001, Kidspiration™ was designed specifically to help K-5 students build strong thinking skills with visual learning. For additional information, please call 503/297-3004. Inspiration Software®, Inc. Named Oregon's 25th Fastest Growing Technology Company October 5, 2001 – PORTLAND, OR Founded in 1982 by co-founders Donald Helfgott and Mona Westhaver, Inspiration Software is dedicated to developing visual thinking tools that help build a solid foundation for K-12 students. Starting with the release of Inspiration in 1988, demand for Inspiration Software products has grown steadily, allowing the company to become the country’s 75th largest PC software developer, with a base of more than 1.5 million users worldwide. "Inspiration Software has made the computer a more significant part of today's classroom by remaining committed to meeting learning challenges through educational technology," said Mona Westhaver, president, Inspiration Software. "Our rank among the fastest growing technology companies in the state is tribute to this commitment and our vision to contribute long term solutions to education." About Inspiration Software Products About Inspiration Software, Inc. Inspiration Software®, Inc. Wins EdNET Pioneer Award October 1, 2001 – PORTLAND, OR "The EdNet Pioneer award is one of the highest honors in educational technology," said Inspiration Software president Mona Westhaver. "We are proud to be recognized by leaders in education for our commitment to furthering educational technology and making significant contributions to the growth of this market." About Inspiration Software Products About Inspiration Software, Inc. Inspiration Software®, Inc. Awarded eSchool News Readers' Choice Award October 1, 2001 – PORTLAND, OR As the leading developer of visual thinking tools, Inspiration Software products are used across the curriculum for a variety of visual learning techniques, including concept mapping, webbing, and brainstorming. In an independent study, Scholastic's market research firm, Quality Education Data (QED), found that Inspiration Software products are currently in use by over sixty percent of U.S. school districts. For additional information about the company call 503/297-3004. About Inspiration Software, Inc. Inspiration Software®, Inc. Named to the 2001 Soft·letter 100 List PORTLAND, OR - June 20, 2001 Since 1984, Soft·letter (http://www.softletter.com) has produced a comprehensive ranking of independent personal computer software companies based on calendar year revenue. The Soft·letter 100 is now widely quoted as the definitive source for industry revenue and growth statistics. To be eligible, a company must be an independent, U.S.-based company that generates at least 50% of its revenues from personal computer software development or publishing. Inspiration Software's award-winning, flagship product, Inspiration®, is in use by over one million students worldwide. Released in January 2001, Kidspiration®, was designed specifically to help K-3 students build strong thinking skills with visual learning. About Inspiration Software, Inc. NSDC Exemplary Use of Technology Award Given to Inspiration Software Founders December 5, 2000- PORTLAND, OR - About Inspiration Software, Inc. EdNet HERO Award October 5, 2000 — The EdNET Industry Awards are the only educational technology awards that honor companies and non-profit organizations that have either made significant contributions to education or industry growth, or show great promise to become a significant player in the industry in coming years. Nelson B. Heller & Associates announced the 2000 winners during the awards banquet held September 12 at the EdNET 2000 conference in Dallas, Texas. Mona Westhaver, Inspiration Software's president, accepted the award. Inspiration Software won the EdNET HERO award for a for-profit organization having made the most significant positive impact on education through educational technology. Other finalists for the for-profit HERO award included Computer Curriculum Corp. and Intel Corp. "We are delighted to be honored for making significant contributions to educational technology," said company president Mona Westhaver. "It is our mission to support improvements in education and make a positive difference in students' lives. We are thrilled to have that commitment recognized by the education community." About Inspiration Software, Inc. Inspiration Software®, Inc. One of Oregon's Fastest Growing Technology Companies PORTLAND, OR - May 22, 2000 The honor was announced at the May 18 Oregon Technology Fast 50 Awards Dinner, an event hosting over 600 representatives of Oregon's top technology companies. Highlighting the event was a keynote address by Craig Barrett, chief executive officer of Intel Corp. Barrett's address included a focus on the importance of supporting education in K-12 schools across the nation. Inspiration®, Inspiration Software's award-winning flagship product, is used across the curriculum by students, educators, and administrators for a wide spectrum of visual learning activities including concept mapping, webbing, and the use of graphical organizers; planning and organizing student projects and administrative tasks; brainstorming; and pre-writing. "Inspiration enables students to tap visual modes of learning, thus facilitating the development of all-important critical thinking skills," said Inspiration Software CEO and Co-founder Don Helfgott. "We are excited to be part of the solution for K-12 education in Oregon and around the world, and we are pleased and honored to be recognized as one of Oregon's fastest growing technology companies." About Inspiration Software, Inc. Inspiration Software®, Inc. Honored by the 2000 Soft·letter 100 List PORTLAND, OR - May 22, 2000 Since 1984, Soft·letter (www.softletter.com) has produced a comprehensive ranking of independent personal computer software companies based on calendar year revenue. The Soft·letter 100 is now widely quoted as the definitive source for industry revenue and growth statistics. To be eligible, a company must be an independent, U.S.-based company that generates at least 50% of its revenues from personal computer software development or publishing. Inspiration®, Inspiration Software's award-winning flagship product, is used across the curriculum by students, educators, and administrators for a wide spectrum of visual learning activities including concept mapping, webbing, and the use of graphical organizers; planning and organizing multimedia projects and administrative tasks; brainstorming; and pre-writing. About Inspiration Software, Inc. | ||
 |  |
