DURHAM—Due to a generation of mobile technology users that is increasingly growing, the marketplace for mobile applications is expanding along with it. A Durham-based startup company recently received international recognition of their efforts to meet the demand.

As mobile technology has developed, users are able to access and purchase applications for an array of devices in the blink of an eye. From games to more practical applications, the content availability is widespread. In order to cater to this demand, it is necessary for all of the players involved in creating, developing, and distributing mobile applications to come together on one court.

That is the principle idea behind Durham-based Appia, recently named to the 2011 OnMobile Top 100 Private Companies list under the commerce category. As the world's largest open application marketplace, CEO and founder Jud Bowman said the acknowledgment carried a dual significance.

"It is an honor to make this list. Any recognition for a startup company is great, but it is especially great to receive recognition in the mobile industry. I'd also like to highlight that Appia was the only North Carolina-based company to make the Top 100 list," said Bowman.

Appia distinguishes itself as a marketplace of many stores and not an app store; touting a catalog of over 140,000 paid and free applications. Other than its headquarters in Durham, there are offices located in Dallas, Texas and Munich, Germany.