Handshake 2.0 is a business networking platform that launched in July 2008. It allows companies to showcase themselves and connect with other businesses by highlighting who they know. While not as powerful as in-person connections, the platform lets users feel as if they know a company even if they don't by providing information on their people. It aims to help businesses generate more leads and contacts by increasing how widely they are known online.

1. Handshake 2.0 launched July 28, 2008.

2. The #1 source of all business in all industries? Word-of-mouth referrals. It’s who you know. And it’s who they know.

3. In a global economy whose population in July, 2009 was over 6.75 billion and growing… That’s a lot “who-you-knows” to know.

4. Handshake 2.0 showcases companies and their people. If you don’t know them, you feel as if you do.

6. Is being known through Handshake 2.0 as powerful as being known in person? No. But it’s the next best thing.

8. get known by other businesses. “Who you know” works both ways.

9. The more “who-you-knows”— contacts— a company can generate online, the greater its pool of leads for its contact-to-conversion ratio.

10. The more a company is known, the more likely it is to become a contact for—and a source of—products, services, and partnerships.

11. So, even online, “It’s still who you know.”

12. Image source: Compete.com Handshake 2.0's "Who-You-Knows"

13. Through Handshake 2.0, we know…

14. A thought leader…

15. A retired pundit…

16. Experts…

17. Investors…

18. Entrepreneurs…

19. Artists…

20. Writers…

21. And the global through the local.

22. Handshake 2.0— a business news and new media services site— provides the “know-how” to connect “who you know.”

23. We hope for you that: Handshake 2.0 results in virtual and real handshakes of greeting. Handshake 2.0 resulting in virtual and real handshakes on deals.

24. Handshake 2.0’s First Anniversary - July 28, 2009 - To every site visitor, site user, client, supporter, and fan, we offer heartfelt thanks.

25. an enterprise ofHandshake Media, IncorporatedAnne Giles Clelland, M.A., M.S.Founder, President, CEOwww.handshake20.com