Vertica enhances database performance by transforming slow disk I/O into efficient CPU cycles. Co-founded by Dr. Michael Stonebraker, the company offers next-generation database technology that significantly improves customer outcomes. In the past year, Vertica celebrated acquiring its 100th customer within just two and a half years of operation.

2. If you could describe your innovation in one succinct sentence, how would you describe yourself?Vertica makes large databases operate faster by converting slow and expensive disk IO operations into inexpensive and scalable CPU cycles.

3. How was your company founded, and what inspired its creation? Vertica was co-founded by Dr. Michael Stonebraker based on research he had done along with colleagues from Brandeis University, Brown University, MIT, and University of Massachusetts Boston.

4. What makes your company different from other companies in your market space?We have created the next generation of database technology rather than incrementally enhanced existing database technology. As a result the customer benefits are dramatic rather than incremental.

5. What has been your company's greatest accomplishment in the past year?We acquired our 100th customer last fall -- in just two and one half years of commercial activity.

6. What is your greatest asset?Our core database technology and code base is our greatest asset along with the people who create and implement both the core technology and successful customer applications.