Clark Hinckley, senior vice president of investor relations and communications for Zions, said much of the bank's success is tied to businesses like the Utah 100.

"If our clients do well, we do well," Hinckley said. "If our clients don't do well, we end up charging off loans. So, to foster and encourage and to participate with companies like this that are growing is very important to our own growth."

Twelve companies were recognized as "emerging elite" for outstanding accomplishments and future potential. Some of those businesses included Salt Lake-based Axis41, Bountiful-based CaseData Corp. and Provo-based VitalSmarts LC.

This year's Utah 100 winners posted average revenue growth rates about 341 percentage points higher than last year's group of winners.

"Utah's economy does have a lot of technology emphasis to it," said Todd Stevens, president of MountainWest Venture. "So coming out of the market downturn for tech in 2000-2001, I think we are starting to see tech coming back as well as retail."

To be eligible for the Utah 100, companies had to be Utah-based U.S. organizations, have a minimum of $50,000 in revenue in the base year of competition and a five-year operating history.

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E-mail: danderton@desnews.com