?	
?	'VentureWire'
	Wednesday, November 22, 2000	?
?	CONTENTS | COMPANIES | INVESTORS	?
?	
	
	
	top stories
	
	* Benchmark Targets Israeli Firms With New $200 Million Fund
	* Former Swedish Prime Minister Joins Melody InteractiveBoard 
	* Supply Chain Firm Qiva Raises $12.6 Million First Round
	* Optical Networking Developer Zaffire Names New CEO
	
	Note to readers:
	VentureWire will be taking a break for Thanksgiving.
	The next issue will be published on Monday, November 27.
	
	
	
	
	The elite of the burgeoning optical communications industry
	will be in one place, under one roof Feb 11-14:
	Optix2001 in Pasadena, CA.
	
	This unusual event combines leaders in academia and business
	exchanging the latest on trends, recent developments, and
	the future of optical technology. If you are a player in the
	field, this is a special opportunity to learn from the
	world's experts.
	
	The brightest corporate stars such as Don Smith, President
	of Nortel are joined by renowned academics such as
	Kerry J. Vahala, Professor of Applied Physics at Cal Tech,
	to provide a breadth of knowledge and insider perspective
	unique to the industry.
	
	Participation at this event is subject to approval and is
	limited to senior executives involved in the optical
	communications industry. For your registration pack link 
to:http://www.optix2001.com/optix_reg.html
	
	
	
	new money
	
	* Art Selling Site Artland.com Raises $4.5 Million Seed Round
	* Display Firm Screen Technology Has $3.5 Million Seed Round  
	* Transportation Software Firm Exor Has $4.9 Million Series A
	* Digital Trading House Global e-Biz Receives Seed Funds
	* Broadband Firm Primarion Raises $38 Million Second Round
	* Avanza, Swedish Online Broker, Raises $9.9 Million
	* IT Services Firm Allidex Gets $3 Million, Announces Board 
	* Semiconductor Firm Spirea Raises $4 Million Second Round
	* Training Firm Simulis Gets Equity Investment from GE Capital
	* Voting App Firm VoteHere.net Raises $10 Million Series C
	* Wireless Tech Firm Time Domain Gets $5 Million Third Round
	* Metrics Firm Red Sheriff Raises $20 Million Third Round
	* Group Led by Memphis Angels Buys Stake in Fiber Optic Ring
	* TheAgZone Secures Funding in $5 Million Series B Round
	
	
	new products
	
	* Bayt.com Launches Middle Eastern Employment Marketplace
	* Derivatives Service Firm Cygnifi Forms New Legal Service
	* New Online Investment Forum InvestorTree Launches
	
	
	new deals
	
	* Wireless Game Distributor Boxerjam Partners with Indiqu
	* Infineon Takes Equity Stake and Partners With Need2Buy.com
	
	
	new directors
	
	* e-Checking Firm Xign Taps Commerce One Exec for Board 
	* ISO9.com Adds New Member to Its Board of Directors
	* SME Appoints Investor to Board of Directors
	* Veteran Newspaper Exec. Joins Jumptech Board
	
	
	new people
	
	* Linux Software Firm RidgeRun Names New CEO, Board Chairman
	* Ex-President of Georgia Medical College Is CEO of beBetter 
	
	
	vc personnel
	
	* European B2B VC Firm B-business Partners Names New CEO
	
	
	TOP STORIES... NEW MONEY... NEW PRODUCTS... NEW DEALS... NEW DIRECTORS... NEW 
PEOPLE... VC PERSONNEL
	
	
	
	
	
	
	COMMERCE UNPLUGGED
	
	A new breed of smart phones and connected PDAs are enabling
	us to shop, even long after we've dropped. But the mobile
	shopper is a new breed of consumer, and the mobile value
	chain presents a host of new issues. Mobile Services, one of
	five expert panels at Technology Outlook 2000, will examine
	the promises and pitfalls of m-commerce, wireless advertising,
	and the role of location-based services. Come hear from:
	
	Mark F. Bregman, CEO, AirMedia
	Bernard Desarnauts, CEO, ViaFone
	Paul Palmieri, VP & GM, Wireless Services, Advertising.com
	
	Only at Technology Outlook 2000:
	The Future of Pervasive Computing
	December 4 and 5, San Francisco
	A VentureWire investment 
conference.http://technologicpartners.com/tp/conf/to2000/
	
	
	top stories
	?
	Benchmark Targets Israeli Firms With New $200 Million Fund
	?	?	MENLO PARK, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Benchmark Capital, an early-stage high ?technology venture capital firm, said it has formed a $200 million fund that ?will be devoted to investments in Israeli technology companies. The company ?said it will manage the fund with a presence in Tel Aviv, focusing on ?early-stage technology companies in Internet infrastructure and applications, ?communications, and software systems. Partners Mark Kremer, the founder and ?chief executive officer of Broadbase; Arad Naveh, the founder and chief ?executive officer of Class Data; and Nachman Shelef, the founder and ?president of NiceCom, will manage the new fund.    ?	http://www.benchmark.com?	?	Former Swedish Prime Minister Joins Melody InteractiveBoard ?	
	
	STOCKHOLM, Sweden (VENTUREWIRE) -- Melody Interactive Services, which 
provides end-user services for Web enabled wireless devices, said it named 
former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt to its board of directors. Mr. Bildt 
currently serves as the UN Secretary Gerneral's Special Envoy to the Balkans. 
Mr. Bildt's nomination is a result of the funding Melody Interactive Services 
received from IT Provider, for whom Mr. Bildt acts as an advisor. The company 
is also backed by Capital Group International and Telenor Ventures. Melody 
Interactive Services provides WAP mail, and conversion technologies enabling 
WAP services from GSM phones. 
	http://www.melody.se
	
	Supply Chain Firm Qiva Raises $12.6 Million First Round
	?	?	SAN FRANCISCO (VENTUREWIRE) -- Qiva, a provider of supply chain execution ?technology, said it raised $12.6 million in its first round of funding. The ?round was led by Bessemer Venture Partners and included Net Market Partners ?and Aurora Investments. The company will use the funds to expand its ?software, sales and marketing. Joanna Strober, general partner at Bessemer ?Venture Partners, will join the company's board of directors.?	http://www.qiva.com?	?	Optical Networking Developer Zaffire Names New CEO?	
	
	SAN JOSE, Calif.  (VENTUREWIRE) -- Zaffire, a developer of optical networking 
products and technologies, said it appointed James Fultz as its chief 
executive officer, replacing company founder and former CEO Near Margalit, 
who will continue on as Zaffire's chairman of the board and chief technology 
officer. Mr. Fultz, the former executive vice president and chief sales and 
marketing officer for Antec, will also take a seat on the board of directors. 
Backers for Zaffire include Integral Capital Partners, Oppenheimer Funds, J&W 
Seligman, Carlyle Internet Partners Europe, Azure Capital Partners, JT 
Venture Partners, Kinetic Ventures, Octane Capital Management, Pilgrim Baxter 
Hyper Partners, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Bank of America Securities, 
and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter.     
	http://www.zaffire.com
	
	new money
	?
	Art Selling Site Artland.com Raises $4.5 Million Seed Round
	?	?	NEW YORK (VENTUREWIRE) -- Artland.com, a company that plans to sell prints of ?paintings and photographs from museums, archives, and artists, said it closed ?a $4.5 million seed round of funding. Getty Images and previous investors ?Allen & Company and Mousse Partners Limited participated. The money will be ?used for corporate development.?	http://www.artland.com?	?	Display Firm Screen Technology Has $3.5 Million Seed Round  ?	
	
	LONDON (VENTUREWIRE) -- MTI, a U.K. venture capital firm providing seed 
capital to information technology startups, said it led a GBP 2.5 million 
($3.5 million) investment round for Screen Technology, a developer of photo 
luminescent liquid crystal displays. The round also included an investment 
from TTP Ventures. The company said it will use the funding to develop 
prototypes and for marketing. Telephone 44-207-398-0800.
	
	Transportation Software Firm Exor Has $4.9 Million Series A
	?	?	BRISTOL, England (VENTUREWIRE) -- Exor, a supplier of asset management ?software for transportation organizations, said it raised GBP 3.5 million ?($4.9 million) in its Series A funding from 3i, which was the sole investor ?in the round. The company said it will use the financing for research and ?development and further expansion into Asian and North American markets. The ?company already has operations in the U.K., Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Australia, ?New Zealand, and North America. As a result of the investment, John Ward, a ?director of several companies and advisor to 3i, will become non-executive ?director.?	http://www.exor.co.uk?	?	Digital Trading House Global e-Biz Receives Seed Funds?	
	
	HAMILTON, Bermuda (VENTUREWIRE) -- Global e-Biz, an international online 
trading site, said it received an undisclosed amount of seed funding from 
eVentureCentre, a Bermuda-based incubator. The company said it will use the 
funds toward its product launch. eVentureCentre also provided administrative 
and technical support and will hold a seat on the board of directors.
	http://www.e-biz.bm
	
	Broadband Firm Primarion Raises $38 Million Second Round
	?	?	TEMPE, Ariz. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Primarion, a broadband and data signal ?technology company, said it has raised $38 million in its second round of ?financing. The round was led by Accel Partners. Previous investors APV ?Technology Partners, Intel Capital, Koch Ventures, and ON Semiconductor also ?participated. There will be no board changes as a result of the round. The ?company said it will use the funds to accelerate product research and ?development.     ?	http://www.primarion.com?	?	Avanza, Swedish Online Broker, Raises $9.9 Million?	
	
	STOCKHOLM (VENTUREWIRE) -- Avanza, which provides online brokering services 
in Sweden and Germany, said it raised GBP 7 million ($9.9 million) in its 
second round of funding. The round was led by Catalyst Fund Management and 
BancBoston and included funding from first round investors Marshall Wace and 
Kempen and Friesland Bank of the Netherlands. The company said it will use 
money to finance its European expansion. The company plans to launch its 
services in the U.K. and Holland in the second quarter of 2001. Avanza also 
announced the launch of its services in Germany.
	http://www.avanza.com
	
	IT Services Firm Allidex Gets $3 Million, Announces Board 
	?	?	BOCA RATON, Fla. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Allidex, a provider of IT integration ?services to help companies link diverse applications, said it completed its ?initial round of funding with $3 million. VC Advantage and Convexa Capital ?led the round, with individual investors also participating. The company will ?use the funding for continuing the development of its technology and for ?company growth. Allidex also announced its board of directors. The board will ?include Traver Gruen-Kennedy of Citrix Systems; Julia Johnson of Military ?Commercial Technologies; Cameron Chell of Chell.com; Terry Summach, most ?recently with FlexiCoil; and Daniel Taylor of Giotto Perspectives.     ?	http://www.allidex.com?	?	Semiconductor Firm Spirea Raises $4 Million Second Round?	
	
	KISTA, Sweden (VENTUREWIRE) -- Spirea, which develops fabless semiconductors, 
raised $4 million in its second round of funding, according to lead investor 
Kennet Capital. Other investors in the round were Zodiak Venture Capital, and 
Kaupthing Investment Bank, a first round investor in Spirea. The company said 
it will use the funding to expand its scope to international markets and 
continue to develop new Bluetooth-based products. 
	http://www.spirea.com
	
	Training Firm Simulis Gets Equity Investment from GE Capital
	?	?	HOUSTON (VENTUREWIRE) -- Simulis, which develops Web-based skills training ?simulation programs for technology equipment and machines, said GE Capital ?has made an undisclosed equity investment in the company as part of a second ?round of financing, taking a 20% stake in the company. Bob Stefanowski, a ?senior vice president at GE Capital, sits on the Simulis board. Simulis ?received $2.5 million in its first round of financing earlier this year from ?undisclosed investment groups.    ?	http://www.simulis.com?	?	Voting App Firm VoteHere.net Raises $10 Million Series C?	
	
	BELLEVUE, Wash. (VENTUREWIRE) -- VoteHere.net, a firm that develops secure 
online voting applications, said it has raised $10 million in its Series C 
round. Northwest Venture Associates led the round with Compaq Computer and 
Cisco Systems also participating. Tom Simpson, the managing partner of 
Northwest Venture Associates, will join VoteHere.net's board. During this 
fall's presidential election, VoteHere.net teamed with Compaq to provide 
pilot online voting in Arizona and California.   
	http://www.votehere.net
	
	Wireless Tech Firm Time Domain Gets $5 Million Third Round
	?	?	WALTHAM, Mass. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Time Domain, a Huntsville, Alabama-based ?wideband wireless technology firm, said Marconi Ventures, the venture arm of ?the global communications company, took a $5 million minority equity stake in ?the company. Time Domain said this is its third round of financing and that ?it will use the funds for working capital.?	http://www.timedomain.com?	?	Metrics Firm Red Sheriff Raises $20 Million Third Round?	
	
	LONDON (VENTUREWIRE) -- Red Sheriff, an Australian electronic metrics 
measurement and research firm, said it raised an additional AUD $3.5 million 
($1.8 million) from Ericsson-Deutsche Technology Fund as part of its third 
round, increasing the round's total to AUD $40 million. The company said it 
will use the funds to continue expanding its product. Previous investors in 
this round include Morgan Grenfell, WPP Group, Equity Partners, and the 
Australian Media & Communications Fund.
	http://www.redsheriff.com
	
	Group Led by Memphis Angels Buys Stake in Fiber Optic Ring
	?	?	MEMPHIS (VENTUREWIRE) -- Memphis Light Gas and Water said an investor group ?led by the Memphis Angels has taken a stake in Memphis Networx, a joint ?venture building a fiber optic broadband network in Memphis. The group agreed ?to purchase the ownership interest held by A&L Networks-Tennessee for an ?undisclosed amount. Boyle Investment Co., Belz Enterprises, and individual ?investor J.R. Hyde III, former chairman and CEO of Autozone, were also part ?of the group of investors. Memphis Networx plans to build a fiber optic ring ?in Memphis and Shelby County that will enable users to provide video on ?demand, cable TV, and telecommunication connections. The Memphis Angels was ?formed by Paradigm Capital Partners. ?	http://www.memphisnetworx.com?	?	TheAgZone Secures Funding in $5 Million Series B Round?	
	
	FRESNO, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- TheAgZone, which provides a Web portal for 
the agriculture industry, said it secured a new amount of undisclosed funding 
from previous investor Berg McAfee Companies. The investment comes as the 
company is raising a Series B round, which it expects to close by the end of 
December with $5 million. The company said it will use the funding for 
further development of application-specific services for agriculture 
companies. TheAgZone's services include news, market prices, weather, advice, 
and other resources. TheAgZone said it will relaunch its Web site in 
mid-December.
	http://www.theagzone.com
	
	new products
	?
	Bayt.com Launches Middle Eastern Employment Marketplace
	?	?	DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (VENTUREWIRE) -- Bayt.com, which provides an ?online employment marketplace for the Middle East, including content and ?community services, announced its launch. Financial details of the company's ?first funding was undisclosed. The company is backed by undisclosed ?individual and institutional international investors. The company's services ?are divided between its employment marketplace and community services ?including content provision, e-mail, and chat.?	http://www.bayt.com?	?	Derivatives Service Firm Cygnifi Forms New Legal Service?	
	
	NEW YORK (VENTUREWIRE) -- Cygnifi, an online derivatives service provider for 
the financial community and corporations, said it formed a strategic 
e-commerce alliance with Allen & Overy, an international law firm. The 
company said no equity was exchanged. Cygnify also bought 3CS, a legal 
management and risk management tool, from Cordova Law & Finance. With the 
alliance and 3CS tool, the company has formed Trinity, which will provide 
subscribed users with online access to legal memoranda in approximately 50 
jurisdictions on collateral enforceability. Cygnifi is backed by LabMorgan, 
Sybase, NumeriX, Gamma Investors, and Bridge Information Systems.
	http://www.cygnifi.com
	
	New Online Investment Forum InvestorTree Launches
	?	?	NE W YORK (VENTUREWIRE) -- InvestorTree, which provides an online forum aimed ?at improving the investor's ability to find the right investment advisor or ?financial planner, announced the closed launch of its web site. The company ?said it is registering investment professionals and firms nationwide and ?anticipates the full launch of the site to the public in January. Through the ?site, InvestorTree will provide investors with thousands of prescreened ?investment professionals who meets their specific needs. The company raised ?its initial round of funding from individual investors, including finance ?professionals and financial advisors.  ?	http://www.investortree.com?	?	new deals?	??	Wireless Game Distributor Boxerjam Partners with Indiqu?	
	
	CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Boxerjam, a producer and distributor of 
games and game shows for online, wireless, and broadcast networks, said it 
will form a strategic partnership with Indiqu, a provider of mobile 
entertainment, to bring Boxerjam's content to cell phones and other wireless 
devices. In exchange, Boxerjam will receive an undisclosed revenue share in 
Indiqu. Indiqu is backed by Sonera, a Finnish moblie firm, and NEThave, a 
venture capital firm based in the Netherlands. Boxerjam's investors include 
New Enterprise Associates and Oak Investment Partners.
	http://www.boxerjam.com 
	http://www.indiqu.com
	
	Infineon Takes Equity Stake and Partners With Need2Buy.com
	?	?	WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Need2Buy, an online marketplace for ?the electronic components industry, said it has entered a strategic ?partnership agreement with Infineon, the publicly traded provider of ?semiconductor systems applications. Infineon has taken an equity stake in ?Need2Buy as a result of its investment. Financial details of the partnership ?and the equity stake were undisclosed. Need2Buy is backed by investors ?including Baker Capital, JUMP Investors, Mitsubishi, Rustic Canyon Group, ?Shelter Ventures, Star Ventures, Trust Company of the West, and World Peace ?Industrial. ?	http://www.need2buy.com?	?	new directors?	??	e-Checking Firm Xign Taps Commerce One Exec for Board ?	
	
	PLEASANTON, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Xign, a business-to-business electronic 
payment firm that is developing Internet checking, said it has appointed 
Robert Kimmitt as the board's third member. Mr. Kimmitt is an executive at 
Commerce One, and serves as chairman of the board of Commerce One Europe. He 
is also the former ambassador to Germany and general counsel to the  U. S. 
Treasury Department. Xign received $14.3 million in its Series A from leads 
Charles River Ventures and Matrix Partners earlier this month.
	http://www.xign.com
	
	ISO9.com Adds New Member to Its Board of Directors
	?	?	OAKLAND, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- ISO9.com, an application service provider ?for the development and maintenance of management services based on the ?international ISO9000 standard, appointed Sergio Mazza to the company's board ?of directors. Mr. Mazza previously served as the president of the American ?National Standards Institute. Backers for ISO9.com include Porter Capital ?Management, AEOW 2000, and Lancaster Investment Partners.    ?	http://www.iso9.com?	?	SME Appoints Investor to Board of Directors?	
	
	MILL VALLEY, Calif.  (VENTUREWIRE) -- SME, which provides project portfolio 
management products and services to Fortune 500 companies, said it named 
Laurence R. Hootnick to its board of directors. Mr. Hootnick has served as 
the president and CEO of Maxtor and Consilium, and held several positions at 
Intel. Mr. Hootnick is an investor in SME, along with other individuals.   
	http://www.smecorporation.com
	
	Veteran Newspaper Exec. Joins Jumptech Board
	?	?	MINNEAPOLIS (VENTUREWIRE) -- Jumptech, a provider of technology services that ?links print to the Internet, said it elected Howard I. Finberg to its board ?of directors. Prior to becoming the fifth board member, Mr. Finberg was the ?vice president of technology and Internet investments for Central Newspapers, ?which publishes a group of daily, Sunday, and weekly newspapers including the ?Arizona Republic and Indianapolis Star. Mr. Finberg also heads Digital ?Futurist Consultancy, which advises companies in the media and information ?industries.  Backers for Jumptech include Netherlands-based holding company ?N.V. Holdingmaatschappij De Telegraaf and individual investors.?	http://www.jumptech.com?	?	new people?	??	Linux Software Firm RidgeRun Names New CEO, Board Chairman?	
	
	BOISE, Idaho. (VENTUREWIRE) -- RidgeRun, which provides Linux software for 
products employing digital processing components, said Rudy Prince has joined 
the company as its new CEO and chairman of the board. Mr. Prince was chief 
executive officer of eFax.com, formerly JetFax, an Internet fax-to-email 
service. RidgeRun is backed by Texas Instruments, TechSpace Xchange, PAC West 
Technology Funds, and the Matthew G. Norton Company.    
	http://www.ridgerun.com
	
	Ex-President of Georgia Medical College Is CEO of beBetter 
	?	?	ATLANTA (VENTUREWIRE) -- beBetter Networks, which provides Internet ?videoconferencing technology to mental health firms, said it named Francis J. ?Tedesco as chief executive officer. Prior to joining the company, Dr. Tedesco ?was president of the Medical College of Georgia for 12 years and a faculty ?member since 1978. Dr. Tedesco also served as chairman of the Health ?Strategies Council, a committee that studies and makes recommendations to the ?Georgia governor on the state's healthcare needs. beBetter Networks has ?received funding from individual investors.?	http://www.bebetter.net?	?	vc personnel?	??	European B2B VC Firm B-business Partners Names New CEO?	
	
	STOCKHOLM (VENTUREWIRE) -- B-business partners, a European-based 
business-to-business venture capital company, said Hans-Dieter Koch, the 
former president and chief executive officer of GE Capital Information 
Technology Solutions for Europe, has been named the company's new chief 
executive officer. Mr. Hans-Dieter Koch was also chief financial officer and 
later chief executive officer of CompuNet Computer AG, a German IT firm. 
B-business partners has nearly EUR 1 billion ($850 million) in capital.    
	http://www.b-bp.com
	
	company index
	?	?	Allidex, Artland.com, Avanza, b-business partners, Bayt.com, beBetter ?Networks, Benchmark Capital, Boxerjam, Cygnifi, e-Biz, Exor, Indiqu.com, ?InvestorTree, ISO9.com, Jumptech.com, Melody Interactive Solutions, Memphis ?Networx, Need2Buy.com, Primarion, Qiva, RDM-Xign, Red Sheriff, RidgeRun, ?Simulis, Software Made Easy, Spirea, TheAgZone, Time Domain, VoteHere.net, ?Zaffire?	?	?	?	A HUNDRED THINGS YOU HAVE NOT DREAMED OF?	?	Technology Outlook 2000 will bring together the CEOs of?	100 of the most exciting start-ups developing pervasive?	and mobile-computing technologies.  Tracks include:?	?	Consumer Devices, Consumer Software, Electronic Books,?	Enabling Technology, Home Networking, Internet Appliances,?	Mobile Commerce, Access Technology, Mobile Services,?	Communication Solutions, Video Solutions, Distributed?	Computing, Systems Software, Location-Based Services,?	Voice Portals, and Telephony?	?	Only a handful of tickets remain for this unique event?	Technology Outlook 2000: The Future of Pervasive Computing?	December 4 and 5, San Franciscohttp://technologicpartners.com/tp/conf/to2000/?	?	?	investor index?	
	
	3i Group, Accel Partners, Allen & Co., APV Technology Partners, BancBoston 
Capital, Berg McAfee Companies, Catalyst Fund Management, Cisco Systems, 
Compaq Computer, Convexa Capital, eVentureCentre, GE Capital, Getty Images, 
Intel Capital, Kaupthing Investment Bank, Kennet Capital, Koch Ventures, 
Marconi Ventures, Memphis Angels, Mousse Partners, Northwest Venture 
Associates, ON Semiconductor, VC Advantage, Zod! iak Venture Capital
	
	
	
	
	
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