MyCityRocks.com, a “social engagement” site that helps users connect on- and off-line, was recently named one of the top ten most promising IT and Web 2.0 companies at the 6th Annual Rice Alliance for Technology & Entrepreneurship I.T. and Web 2.0 Venture Forum in Houston, TX.

The site combines social networking elements with a ticket exchange and online invites to allow users to bring friends together for cultural, community, music and sporting events. Various cities throughout the world have localized MyCityRocks pages.

“The past three years have been such an incredible journey for us, none more astounding than 2008,” Executive Director Cliff Kurtzman, PhD, told TicketNews. “After spending more than two-and-a-half years developing the brand and its ability to inspire passion and loyalty, we began working to monetize the brand in October 2007. Our sales then doubled eight times in a six month period, with growth continuing through the 4th quarter of 2008.”

MyCityRocks’s ticket exchange helps users buy and sell tickets to sold-out events, and the site reinvests a portion of its proceeds to various charitable causes.

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The site was one of 50 competitors judged by the Rice Alliance Information Technology Advisory Board, based on a 90-second “elevator pitch” presentation.

“We are thrilled to have had seen such incredible growth during 2008, and are grateful for this recognition from the Rice Alliance,” Kurtzman said in a statement. “Despite the current economic downturn, the fourth quarter of this year will be our best ever, and we will see continued growth in 2009. And that means we will be able to continue to make a difference in the communities that we serve.”

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