Mentor Graphics Announces 21st Annual PCB Technology Leadership Awards Program

WILSONVILLE, Ore., June 4, 2009 – Mentor Graphics Corporation (NASDAQ: MENT) today announced the call-for-entries of its 21st annual Technology Leadership Awards competition, continuing its tradition of recognizing excellence in Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design. Started in 1988, this program is the longest running competition of its kind in the Electronic Design Automation (EDA) industry. It recognizes engineers and CAD designers who use Mentor’s innovative technology to address today’s complex PCB systems design challenges and produce industry-leading products.

Prominent experts in the PCB industry will judge the contest, including Happy Holden, senior technology specialist of Mentor Graphics; Gary Ferrari, technical support director, FTG Circuits; Pete Waddell, president of UP Media, the publisher of Printed Circuit Designs & Fabrication Magazine; Andy Kowalewski, senior interconnect designer, AdvantagePCB; and Rick Hartley, senior principal engineer, avionics division of L-3 Communications.

"I'm pleased to see Mentor's continued support for this program,” stated Rick Hartley. “PCB designers are constantly facing new challenges and finding innovative solutions to address them. The Technology Leadership Awards are a great way to showcase the leading-edge design approaches they're utilizing, and recognize the designers and their contribution to the PCB industry.”

This year, entrants will be able to submit their design accomplishments in any of six categories representing a wide variety of industries:

• Consumer electronics and handheld
• Industrial control, instrumentation, security and medical
• Military and aerospace
• Computers, blade and servers, memory systems
• Telecom, network controllers, line cards
• Transportation and automotive

“Mentor Graphics is committed to the PCB systems design community, and our PCB Technology Leadership Awards contest provides the opportunity to showcase the most innovative and talented designers worldwide,” said Dan Boncella, director of marketing, Systems Design Division, Mentor Graphics. “The program continues to attract the most skilled users of our PCB systems design tools and Mentor expects this year’s competition to be bigger than ever with entries from virtually all the major electronics countries in the world.”

Winners will be named for each category as well as a Best Overall Design. The timeframe for submitting entries is from June 1st through July 17th, 2009. Entrants can apply online at www.mentor.com/go/tla. This web page also has a video from the judges with helpful hints on how to win.

About the Technology Leadership Awards Contest
Mentor’s Technology Leadership Award contest is open to any designs created with Mentor’s PCB solutions, including the Board Station® product, the Expedition™ Enterprise product and PADS® design flows. Judging will be based on overcoming complexity challenges, such as small form factor, high-speed content, design team collaboration, advanced PCB fabrication technologies and design-cycle time reduction. Judging will start August 1, 2009 and winners will be announced in conjunction with the PCB Design Conference West in Santa Clara, CA on September 15, 2009.

About Mentor Graphics
Mentor Graphics Corporation (NASDAQ: MENT) is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products, consulting services and award-winning support for the world’s most successful electronics and semiconductor companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of about $800 million and employs approximately 4,425 people worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777. World Wide Web site: http://www.mentor.com/.

Mentor Graphics, Board Station and PADS are registered trademarks and Expedition is a trademark of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

For more information, please contact:

Larry Toda
Mentor Graphics
503.685.1664
larry_toda@mentor.com

Suzanne Graham
Mentor Graphics
503-685-7789
suzanne_graham@mentor.com