Ogden, Utah
Cold-weather outfitter Klymit spent most of 2008 battling the elements - specifically, noble gases. The company, whose gas-based technology allows skiers and snowboarders to regulate the warmth of their jackets, hired several employees to concentrate on R&D. That investment paid off for last year's second-place winner: The company attracted a large manufacturer of snow and hunting gloves to begin selling Klymit-engineered mitts by the end of the year.
"Klyimt is a technology provider--we want to be the `Intel Inside' for outdoor gear," says CEO Nate Alder. The upstart is also in talks with the military to develop gear for soldiers working in cold conditions. And while he's mum on the details, Alder hints that Klymit gear may make an appearance at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
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