nLIGHT Named Fastest Growing Technology Company in Pacific Northwest

Vancouver, WA  October 4, 2006

For the second year in a row, nLIGHT has been named the fastest growing technology company in the Pacific Northwest in Deloitte and Touche’s Rising Star category of the 2006 Deloitte & Touche USA LLP’s Technology Fast 50 program for the Pacific Northwest. With revenue growth of over 1,400%, nLIGHT was the fastest growing company in The Rising Star category based on revenue growth over three years (2003 to 2005). The Rising Star award is part of the Pacific Northwest Technology Fast 50 program, which ranks the 50 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunication and life sciences companies headquartered in Washington, Oregon or Idaho.

“The Deloitte Pacific Northwest Technology Fast 50 Rising Star companies have shown the strength, vision and tenacity to succeed despite a very challenging technology environment,” said Larry Hile, a Partner in Deloitte’s Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT) industry practice based in Seattle. “We applaud the successes of nLIGHT and acknowledge its place as one of the few to accomplish such a fast growth rate over the past three years.”

“We are honored to be recognized by Deloitte for our strong performance,” said Scott Keeney, President and CEO. “Winning this award for the second year in a row is truly a great honor and certainly validates the remarkable achievements of our team.”

To qualify for the Technology Fast 50 Rising Star program, companies must have had operating revenues of at least $50,000 in 2003 and $5,000,000 in 2005, be headquartered in Idaho, Oregon or Washington, and own proprietary technology or proprietary intellectual property that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues or devote a significant proportion of revenues to the research and development of technology.

Its Rising Star ranking is based on percentage revenue growth for three years (2003 to 2005). For more information on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 or Technology Fast 50 programs, visit www.fast500.com