Egenera

Egenera is taking on a big market, armed only with a blade. Designed for handling database and Web application chores, the company's PAN Manager software enables data center operators and other businesses to manage their blade server-based data storage and network provisioning systems. The application runs on the company's own BladeFrame computer servers, as well as blade server models from such vendors as HP, Fujitsu, and Dell. Customers come from the financial services, telecommunications, health care, IT services, and government sectors, among others. Founded in 2000, Egenera counts Austin Ventures among its backers; investors Credit Suisse First Boston and Goldman Sachs have also been customers.