The same kind of processor that has been used for years by video game systems is having a dramatic impact on a number of other industries. Scores of small companies are changing the technology landscape by using graphics processors to dramatically accelerate processing times. Their advanced applications are transforming existing industries and creating new ones.

Familiar sectors such as media and entertainment have already been fundamentally altered by the graphics processing unit (GPU). New industries and applications are also emerging in the fields of computer vision, real-time facial recognition, energy exploration, real-time medical imaging, hyper-realistic virtual worlds, and artificial intelligence. And there are many more.

Nvidia has selected more than 50 of the most promising companies in these fields to share their newest technology at the Emerging Companies Summit, part of the GPU Technology Conference. Companies such as Mirriad, Cooliris, Scalable Display, and Milabra will meet with hundreds of technologists, investors, analysts and executives at the summit, which takes place Sept 22-23, 2009 in San Jose, Calif. Five companies will receive prizes and awards at the event valued at more than $75,000.

In addition to presentations by startups, the Emerging Companies Summit will feature panel discussions on “Computer Vision” and “Building Emerging Companies Based on Disruptive Technologies.” Forbes editor Quentin Hardy will also moderate a “Fireside Chat” with Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang.

Prominent industry players including Adobe, Cisco, Google, IBM, HP, and Microsoft will attend, as well as major investors like Charles River Ventures, Interwest, Morgenthaler Ventures, and Sutter Hill. Major sponsors include CITI Group, Cooley, Deloitte, and Silicon Valley Ventures.

ECS is one of the best opportunities to learn about emerging companies and industries with huge growth potential. It’s a great venue to talk with analysts, executives, and industry experts to understand where the technology is going. You can see video from last year here.

Register to attend here. Discounts for early-bird registration expire on September 1st. Sponsorship/exhibition opportunities are also available.