AuthenTec Receives Florida Governor's 2006 Innovation Award; Melbourne Company's Leadership in Biometrics Praised by Governor Jeb Bush.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. & MELBOURNE, Fla. -- AuthenTec, the world leader in biometric fingerprint sensor security, innovation and sales, today received the prestigious 2006 Governor's Business Diversification Award for Innovation from Florida Governor Jeb Bush. AuthenTec CEO Scott Moody accepted the award on behalf of the company in a special ceremony at the Governor's Mansion in Tallahassee.

AuthenTec was one of 12 companies honored overall, and was selected as the sole winner for innovation in a major market. The company was nominated by the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast. The awards program, developed by Enterprise Florida (EFI), recognizes companies for their efforts to diversify and enrich the state's economy by creating higher-wage jobs and investing in their communities.

"Florida's entrepreneurs and business leaders are striving to diversify and strengthen our state's economy. Because of the commitment and achievements of our business community, Florida continues to lead the nation in job creation," said Governor Bush. "As we celebrate Industry Appreciation Week, it is important to recognize those exemplary Florida companies that uniquely embrace the qualities underpinning our economy: innovation, entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, and volunteerism."

"As a global leader within the biometrics industry, AuthenTec's success not only benefits our community economically, but its innovative products have no doubt had an immense impact on the safety and security of people and nations worldwide," said Lynda Weatherman, president and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast. "It was my privilege to nominate AuthenTec for the 2006 Governor's Business Diversification Award. The company is extremely deserving of this recognition."

Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, AuthenTec has grown from a startup with 15 employees and an engineering prototype in 1998 to become the world's leading provider of biometric fingerprint sensors - with nearly 100 employees and more than 10 million sensors in use worldwide. AuthenTec today is the recognized volume supplier leader of fingerprint sensors -- shipping nearly two thirds of all sensors sold in the PC, wireless and access control markets during the past five years.

AuthenTec sensors are used in 150 different models of notebook and tablet PCs, including those made by 7 of the world's top 10 PC manufacturers. The sensors provide advanced security and replace the need for passwords.

In cell phones, AuthenTec sensors are used in more than 95 percent of all biometric cell phone models - protecting phone files and securing mobile commerce transactions. In access control, AuthenTec sensors protect hundreds of airports, government and corporate offices, individual homes, and other facilities around the world. The company's sensors also are used in the U.S. government's largest biometrics implementation for the U.S. Census Bureau.

Each AuthenTec sensor is based on the company's patented TruePrint(R) technology, the only solution in production that reads below the surface of the skin to the live layer, where the true fingerprint resides. This unique subsurface approach enables AuthenTec sensors to read virtually every fingerprint, anywhere. The technology's extreme accuracy also allows AuthenTec to create sensors that are smaller, lower cost, and perform better than larger, more costly competing solutions.

"All of us at AuthenTec are extremely proud to be honored by Governor Bush for our market leadership and technology innovation," Mr. Moody said. "Our success demonstrates the important role that technology innovation can play in growing and diversifying Florida's economy. We applaud the state's effort to recognize and reward economic diversification."

About the Awards

The Governor's Business Diversification Awards are the centerpiece of Florida's "Industry Appreciation Week," celebrated annually during the month of September. Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida's business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida. Headquartered in Orlando, EFI's mission is to diversify Florida's economy and create better-paying jobs for its citizens by supporting, attracting and helping to create businesses in innovative, high-growth industries. In pursuit of its mission, EFI works closely with a statewide network of economic development partners and is funded both by the State of Florida and by private-sector businesses.

About AuthenTec

With more than 10 million sensors in use worldwide, AuthenTec is the world leader in fingerprint sensor security, innovation and sales to the PC, wireless, and access control markets. AuthenTec's award-winning FingerLoc(R) and EntrePad(R) sensors take full advantage of The Power of Touch by utilizing the company's patented TruePrint(R) technology to deliver the most convenient, reliable and cost-effective means available for enabling touch-powered features that extend beyond user authentication. The company's network of partners, solution providers and customers include: Analog Devices, APC, ASUSTek, Compal, Cherry, Fujitsu Computer, Computer Associates, HP, IBM, Lenovo, LG Electronics, Microsoft, Motion Computing, MPC Computers, NEC Packard Bell, Pantech, Quanta, Samsung, Tatung, Texas Instruments, Toshiba, and Wistron, among others. Visit www.authentec.com