?	
?	'VentureWire'
	Tuesday, November 21, 2000	?
?	CONTENTS | COMPANIES | INVESTORS	?
?	
	
	
	top stories
	
	* The Sprout Group Raises $1.6 Billion in New Fund
	* Suez Lyonnaise Takes 30% of Europatweb with $255 Million
	* Lockheed Spin-off TeraConnect Raises $40 Million Round One
	* Yazam Chief Executive Yaacov Ben-Yaacov Resigns
	
	
	
	INFINITY IN THE PALM
	
	What Scotch is to tape, what Xerox is to photocopies, what
	Kleenex is to facial tissue, Palm is rapidly becoming to
	handheld computers. Come listen to the man responsible for
	a brand so successful it's getting stuck to his competitors'
	products. Carl Yankowski is the CEO of Palm Computing, and
	he's just one of six keynote speakers at Technology Outlook
	2000. You'll also hear from:
	* Michael Ramsay, CEO of TiVo
	* Henry Yuen, CEO of Gemstar-TV Guide International
	* Claude Leglise, VP, New Business Group & GM, Home
	Products Group, Intel
	* Michel Mayer, GM, Pervasive Computing, IBM
	* Larry Smarr, Professor, Department of Computer Science
	and Engineering, UC San Diego
	
	Technology Outlook 2000: The Future of Pervasive Computing
	December 4 and 5, San Franciscohttp://technologicpartners.com/tp/conf/to2000/
	
	
	
	new money
	
	* Software Firm Valaran Raises $10.2 Million First Round
	* Heathcare Tech Firm Eko Systems Gets $2.3 Million Round One
	* Network Security ASP NetPlexus Has $5 Million First Round
	* Software Firm PowerLoom Raises $1.1 Million Seed Round
	* Software Firm SmartSignal Closes Round One at $7.4 Million 
	* Waveguide Components Firm Optical CrossLinks Gets Seed Funds
	* Wireless Services Firm NearMe Raises First Part of Series A
	* Data Communication Firm Bravida Lands $33 Million Series B
	* E-Business Firm TIS Worldwide Gets $23 Million in Round Two
	* E-Learning System Firm WebCT Closes $70 Million Sixth Round
	* HyperTrust, Hosted Security Firm, Has $1 Million Funding
	* Camp Web Site Iluvcamp.com Receives $2.1 Million Series B 
	* Online Aplications Firm Fullscope Gets $10 Million Round Two
	* Internet Consulting Firm CyberTouch Secures $6 Million
	* Optical Wireless Firm fSona  Raises $18.4 Million Series C
	* Web Publisher BizSpace Secures $1.2 Million in Third Round
	
	
	bad news
	
	* Independent Web Network Bla-bla Cuts Staff by 30%
	* CheMatch.com Lays Off 8 Employees But Expects More Funding
	
	
	new products
	
	* Linux-Based Net Service Apps Developer Filanet Launches
	* Investment Consortium Led by CVC Asia Launches Mercury Corp.
	* HR Tech Firm TalentPoint Changes Name to Kenexa
	* Monitoring Firm Gecko Software Now Eccord Systems
	* Online Software Firm iSwag.com Changes Name to Develos 
	
	
	m&a
	
	* E-Payment Firm Trintech Buys Globeset for $31 Million 
	* Government Web Services Firm Netgov.com Acquires Gov24.com
	* Global Supply Chain Firm FreeBorders Buys Applied Intranet
	* Palmspring Acquires Mobile Generation, Now Called Handmark
	* Wireless Firm Stellcom Acquires Interface Firm Digital Asylu
	* XML Provider Cape Clear Acquires Java Tech Firm Orbware
	
	
	new directors
	
	* Transcription Firm WordWave Adds Mainspring Exec to Board
	* AT&T'S Bruce Goemaat Named to ASP Mi8's Board of Directors
	* Auto Site Developer BVerticals Appoints Auto Exec To Board
	* Red Oak Software Names Information Technology Execs to Board
	* Telecomm Broker Chapel Hill Broadband Names First Chairman 
	
	
	new people
	
	* Multimedia Firm KeeBoo Appoints Bertelsman Exec as CEO
	* Global Telecom Provider edge2net Names New CEO, Chairman
	* Net Marketplace Apps Developer TechTrader Announces New CEO
	* Multimedia Tech Firm ViaGate Technologies Announces New CEO
	* New CEO, President Named At Wireless Tech Firm TracerNET
	* Sales & Marketing Apps Firm Promptu Appoints Tech Exec CEO
	
	
	vc fund news
	
	* British Telecom Establishing New Incubator, Brightstar 
	* At First Close, Odin Capital Has $40.6 Million For New Fund
	* Electronics for Imaging Starts Venture Fund with $20 Million
	
	
	vc personnel
	
	* ETF Group Opens Two More European Offices
	
	
	TOP STORIES... NEW MONEY... BAD NEWS... NEW PRODUCTS... M&A... NEW 
DIRECTORS... NEW PEOPLE... VC FUND NEWS... VC PERSONNEL
	
	
	
	
	
	
	Where will you find the world's leaders in the optical
	communications industry discussing the latest trends,
	developments, and future direction of the field?
	Optix2001 Feb 11-14 in Pasadena CA.
	
	Be on the cutting edge of optical communications technology
	with industry experts and scholars such as Joe Bass, VP and
	GM of the Wavelength Routing Business Unit at Cisco Systems,
	and John E. Bowers, Professor and Director of the
	Multidisciplinary Optical Switching Technology Center at
	UC Santa Barbara.
	
	Also participating are CEOs from the top 48 optical
	communications organizations, providing attendees with an
	unparalleled inside look at the companies and players in
	this dynamic field.
	
	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:
	communications industry. For your registration pack link 
to:http://www.optix2001.com/optix_reg.html
	
	
	top stories
	?
	The Sprout Group Raises $1.6 Billion in New Fund
	?	?	MENLO PARK, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- The Sprout Group, a venture capital firm ?that focuses on technology-based companies, said it raised $1.6 billion in ?its eleventh fund. The fund will be used over a three-year period with each ?investment ranging in size from $10 million to $50 million.  Since its ?inception in 1969, the Sprout Group has financed more than 350 companies and ?raised nearly $3.5 billion in committed capital. The company raised $860 ?million in its previous fund.    ?	http://www.sproutgroup.com?	?	Suez Lyonnaise Takes 30% of Europatweb with $255 Million?	
	
	PARIS (VENTUREWIRE) -- Group Arnault announced that Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux 
would take a 30% equity stake in its wholly-owned subsidiary Europatweb with 
an investment of EUR 300 million ($255 million). Four of Europatweb's 50 
company holdings that will not receive investment from Suez Lyonnaise are 
expected to reach separate marketing agreements with the company. The 
investment comes as part of a larger agreement between Group Arnault and Suez 
Lyonnaise. This past June, Group Arnualt said that Europatweb would not make 
a previously planned initial public offering. Europatweb was launched last 
year with EUR 500 million ($425 million).
	http://www.europatweb.com
	
	Lockheed Spin-off TeraConnect Raises $40 Million Round One
	?	?	NASHUA, N.H. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Optical component company TeraConnect said it ?completed its spin off from Lockheed Martin company Sanders with a $40 ?million first round funded by Goldman Sachs, Kodiak Venture Partners, and ?Spectrum Equity Investors. The company said it will use the funding for ?further product development. Kodiak Venture Partners managing general partner ?Dave Furneaux is chairman of TeraConnect's board of directors. TeraConnect ?develops optical components for router, server, and telecommunications ?infrastructure markets. Telephone 603-885-2988.?	?	Yazam Chief Executive Yaacov Ben-Yaacov Resigns?	
	
	JERUSALEM (VENTUREWIRE) -- Yaacov Ben-Yaacov, chief executive officer of 
Yazam, an investment and acceleration firm for new technology companies, has 
resigned, according to a spokesperson for the company. The status of Mr. Ben 
Yaacov and Yazam's president, Phillip Garfinkle, has been uncertain for the 
past week. The company would not comment on whether Mr. Garfinkle remains 
with Yazam. A source at the company said that an executive search firm had 
been hired to seek a replacement for Mr. Ben-Yaacov. According to the 
company, Yazam has $40 million in available capital and several tens of 
millions more under management. Despite the surrounding turmoil the company 
continues to make investments, including the approval of $3 million in 
funding for three new startups confirmed by the company's committment 
committee. Yazam is backed by JP Morgan, Merrill Lynch, Texas Pacific Group, 
Carlyle Internet ! Partners Europe, Apax Partners, Itochu International, the 
China Development Industrial Bank, and Charles Schwab.
	http://www.yazam.com
	
	new money
	?
	Software Firm Valaran Raises $10.2 Million First Round
	?	?	WAYNE, Pa. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Valaran, which makes software for communication ?service providers, said it has raised $10.2 million in its first round of ?funding from leads TL Ventures and EnerTech Capital Partners and from Celtic ?House International and Kinsman Capital. Mike Burns, a partner at TL ?Ventures; Bill Kingsley, managing director of EnerTech Capital Partners; and ?Debi Rosati, general partner of Celtic House International, will sit on ?Valaran's board. The company said it will use the funds to build its staff, ?develop the business, and launch its products.   ?	http://www.valaran.com?	?	Heathcare Tech Firm Eko Systems Gets $2.3 Million Round One?	
	
	BETHESDA, Md. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Eko systems, which develops healthcare 
software and hardware, said it has raised $2.3 million in its first round of 
funding from BeaconVentureCapital.com. The company said it will use the funds 
to build its management team and to bring its patient data application 
Frontiers to market.   
	http://www.ekosystems.com
	
	Network Security ASP NetPlexus Has $5 Million First Round
	?	?	FAIRFAX, Va. (VENTUREWIRE) -- NetPlexus, a network security application ?security provider, said it received $5 million in its first round of funding ?led by MCG Capital. eMedia club also participated in the round. The company ?said it will use the funds to develop its management team, expand its ?network-operating center, and for sales and marketing. Members from MCG and ?eMedia will join the board of directors.?	http://www.netplexus.com?	?	Software Firm PowerLoom Raises $1.1 Million Seed Round?	
	
	PITTSBURGH (VENTUREWIRE) -- PowerLoom, which makes software for Internet 
trading marketplaces, said it has raised $1.1 million in a seed round of 
funding from institutional investor Topps, a sports collectibles firm, and 
from individuals including Raj Reddy, ex-dean of the computer science 
department at Carnegie Mellon and co-chair of the President's IT Committee; 
Jaime Carbonell, director of language technologies at Carnegie Melon; and 
Venkat Srinivasan, CEO of eCredit, a financial services Web site. PowerLoom 
said it will build an online exchange site for Topps for an additional 
$500,000, which will count as revenue. Steve Katz and Warren Friss, 
co-directors of Topps' Internet unit, will share a seat on PowerLoom's 
board.    
	http://www.powerloom.com
	
	Software Firm SmartSignal Closes Round One at $7.4 Million 
	?	?	LISLE, Ill. (VENTUREWIRE) -- SmartSignal, a developer of error detection ?software for equipment that uses electronic sensors, said it closed a $7.4 ?million first round of funding with a $1 million investment from Archer ?Daniels Midland Company, a food processing and distribution company. The ?company also received first round funding from CID Equity Partners, Fawn ?Capital Partners, Perfect World Technologies, ARCH Development, and SSC ?Investors.      ?	http://www.smartsignal.com?	?	Waveguide Components Firm Optical CrossLinks Gets Seed Funds?	
	
	KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Optical CrossLinks, which designs and 
manufacturers single mode and multi-mode waveguide components for fiber optic 
transmissions systems, said it has closed a multi-million dollar capital seed 
round led by a Lehigh Valley, Pa.-based group of telecommunications 
executives and other professionals. Other investors included Essex Investment 
Management Company and individuals in the investment banking and equity 
market communities.   
	http://www.opticalcrosslinks.com
	
	Wireless Services Firm NearMe Raises First Part of Series A
	?	?	SEATTLE (VENTUREWIRE) -- NearMe, a wireless services provider that supplies ?information on a user's immediate locale, said it has raised an undisclosed ?amount of funding from undisclosed investors as part of its still-open Series ?A round. The company also announced that David Bluhm, a former executive at ?Motorola and co-founder of 2Way Corp., has been appointed as the company's ?first CEO. The company, which spun off from location-based technology firm ?MapInfo, added it will relocate to Seattle but will retain its Albany, N.Y. ?site for research and development. The company said it will use the funds to ?establish its Seattle headquarters, accelerate the launch of its products, ?and for technology development.    ?	http://www.nearme.com?	?	Data Communication Firm Bravida Lands $33 Million Series B?	
	
	PALO ALTO, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Bravida, a developer of data 
communications infrastructure products, said it received $33 million in its 
Series B round of funding, led by Patricof & Co. Ventures. Advanced 
Technology Ventures, Anila Fund, i-Hatch Ventures, Onset, and St. Paul 
Ventures also participated. Michael Duran of Patricof & Co. and Moses S. 
Joseph from Anila Fund will join the company's board of directors. The 
company will use the funds for product development and to expand its staff.
	http://www.bravidacorp.com
	
	E-Business Firm TIS Worldwide Gets $23 Million in Round Two
	?	?	NEW YORK (VENTUREWIRE) -- TIS Worldwide, an online business integrator that ?specializes in delivering Internet-based sales and customer service ?applications, said it raised $23 million in its second round led by ?Silverline Technologies and Westbury Equity Partners. Previous investor ?Goldman Sachs also participated, along with Pogue Capital Management and Rana ?Investment Company. Shankar Iyer, CEO of Silverline Technologies, and Joseph ?Fogg, chairman of Westbury Capital Partners, joined the board of directors. ?The company will use the funds to develop new services, expand its ?technology, and for corporate branding.?	http://www.tisworldwide.com?	?	E-Learning System Firm WebCT Closes $70 Million Sixth Round?	
	
	LYNNFIELD, Mass.  (VENTUREWIRE) -- WebCT, a provider of integrated Internet 
learning systems for the higher education market, said it completed a $70 
million sixth round of financing with a new undisclosed amount of funding 
from the Munder NetNet Fund. WebCT opened the round earlier this year. SCT, a 
provider of software and services to support the business processes of higher 
education, made a strategic investment in WebCT in June. Thomson Learning, a 
division of the publicly traded Thomson Corp., also made a strategic 
investment in September. The company has raised a total of $125 million to 
date. Previous investors include CMGI @Ventures, the venture capital 
affiliate of CMGI; Chase Capital Partners; BancBoston Ventures; NetInvest; 
Boston Millennia Partners; Welch & Forbes; Duke Management, the investment 
arm of the Duke University Endowment Fund; Kestrel Venture Management; and 
MTDC.  
	http://www.webct.com
	
	HyperTrust, Hosted Security Firm, Has $1 Million Funding
	?	?	LEUVEN, Belgium (VENTUREWIRE) -- HyperTrust, which is developing a hosted ?platform for secure communications and transactions based on digital ?signatures, said it raised EUR 1.24 million ($1 million) in its first ?funding. Investors in the round included Belgian business accelerator ?AdValvas Group and IT-Partners. The company said it will use the funding to ?continue its product development. HyperTrust rents secured infrastructure ?space to customers with a guarantee of security measures. Sir Martin Lagauw ?of AdValvas Group and Stefaan Nicolay of IT-Partners will both take seats on ?the company's board of directors. ?	http://www.hypertrust.com?	?	Camp Web Site Iluvcamp.com Receives $2.1 Million Series B ?	
	
	AUSTIN, Texas (VENTUREWIRE) -- Iluvcamp.com, an Internet-based service that 
connects parents with their children at camp and campers with their friends, 
said it received  $2.1 million as part of its Series B round from Prime New 
Ventures and several individual investors, including Prime's managing 
director, Greg Marchbanks. The company said it would use the funding to 
further develop its products.  
	http://www.iluvcamp.com
	
	Online Aplications Firm Fullscope Gets $10 Million Round Two
	?	?	ANN ARBOR, Mich. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Fullscope, a provider of online ?applications and services, said it  received $10 million in its second round ?of funding led by Massey Burch and River Cities Capital Funds. Previous ?investors EDF Ventures, Operon Partners, Scient, and Wakefield Group also ?participated. The company said it will use the funds to expand and develop ?its sales and marketing initiatives. Bill Earthman, a partner with Massey ?Burch, and Carter McNabb, an associate with River Cities Capital Funds, will ?join Fullscope's board of directors. The company is also backed by individual ?investors. Fullscope has raised $14.5 million to date. ?	http://www.fullscope.com?	?	Internet Consulting Firm CyberTouch Secures $6 Million?	
	
	KUALA LUMPUR (VENTUREWIRE) -- CyberTouch, a Pan-Asian full service Internet 
consulting firm, said it raised $5 million in funding from venture firm 
Walden International Investment Group, and $1 million from BroadVision, a 
supplier of personalized Internet business applications. The company said it 
will use the funds to continue its expansion into Asia, and to expand its 
services. The company expects to open new offices in Hong Kong and China 
within the next year. Telephone 650-261-5940.
	
	Optical Wireless Firm fSona  Raises $18.4 Million Series C
	?	?	VAN COUVER, British Columbia (VENTUREWIRE) -- fSona Communications, an ?optical wireless communications firm, said it has raised $18.4 million in its ?Series C round from new investors Signal Lake Ventures Fund II, The Photonics ?Fund, Equitek Capital, Network Capital and from previous investors Royal Bank ?Ventures, Working Opportunity Fund, and High Street Partners. The company ?said it will use the funds to expand its production facilities and to develop ?and research new products.    ?	http://www.fsona.com?	?	Web Publisher BizSpace Secures $1.2 Million in Third Round?	
	
	KANSAS CITY, Mo. (VENTUREWIRE) -- BizSpace, a  developer of Web sites that 
target the technology and telecommunications industries, said it raised $1.2 
million in is third round of funding led by previous investor St. Joseph 
News-Press & Gazette. Other investors included individual investor George H. 
Young, managing director of Lehman Brothers' global communications, and K.C. 
Venture Group. The company said it will use the funds for general corporate 
purposes. 
	http://www.bizspace.com
	
	bad news
	?
	Independent Web Network Bla-bla Cuts Staff by 30%
	?	?	NEW YORK (VENTUREWIRE) -- Bla-bla.com, an online portal for independent ?content, said it cut 16 people, or 30% of its staff. The company cut ?employees from every department, but said the strongest hit were the ?technology and software departments. The company said the lay-offs were a ?result of a downturn in the online advertising market. Bla-bla also said it ?just received an undisclosed amount of funding which a company spokesperson ?said would keep it 'extremely healthy for at least a year,' but would not ?release further details. The company hopes to increase its marketing and ?sales to increase revenue. Bla-bla is funded by Silicon Alley Venture ?Partners, Hudson Venture Partners, Liberty View Equity Partners, SBIC, ?Youngtree Partners, and Stonehenge Capital.?	http://www.bla-bla.com?	?	CheMatch.com Lays Off 8 Employees But Expects More Funding?	
	
	HOUSTON (VENTUREWIRE) -- CheMatch.com, a marketplace for buying and selling 
bulk commodity chemicals, plastics, and fuel products, said it laid off 8 
employees, reducing its workforce to 85. The company, which withdrew its IPO 
in October, also said it expects new funding before the end of the year from 
investors that include its original backers. CheMatch is backed by Battery 
Ventures, Bayer, Computer Sciences Corp., E.E. DuPont de Nemours & Co., 
Methanex, Millennium Chemicals, H. Muehlstein & Co., Reed Elsevier, Sprout 
Group, Stolt-Nielsen, and TownsendTarnell.
	http://www.chematch.com
	
	new products
	?
	Linux-Based Net Service Apps Developer Filanet Launches
	?	?	SUNNYVALE, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Filanet, a developer of Internet service ?appliances, announced it has launched. The company has developed a ?Linux-based Internet service appliance that allows information technology ?service providers to remotely deliver and manage IT, Internet, and ?application services to their small and medium size business customers. The ?company was founded by Avner Ben-Dor, a former vice president of engineering ?at Kalpana Networks, later acquired by Cisco. Filanet is backed by Weiss, ?Peck & Greer, now Lightspeed Venture Partners; Menlo Ventures; Stanford ?University; Canaan Partners; Advent International; Ricoh Silicon Valley; and ?individual investors.    ?	http://www.filanet.com?	?	Investment Consortium Led by CVC Asia Launches Mercury Corp.?	
	
	SEOUL, Korea (VENTUREWIRE) -- A consortium of investors led by CVC Asia 
Pacific said they acquired the networking, switching, and fiber optic cable 
business of Daewoo Telecom and were launching it as a new company, Mercury 
Corp. Other investors in the buy out include CVC Capital Partners, The 
Carlyle Group, PPM Ventures, and Citigroup. Financial details of the 
acquisition and subsequent launch were undisclosed. CVC Asia Pacific will 
have two seats on the new company's board of directors and The Carlyle Group 
and PPM Ventures will each have one seat on the board as a result of their 
involvement in the launch of the new company. Telephone +44-207-420-4240.
	
	HR Tech Firm TalentPoint Changes Name to Kenexa
	?	?	WAYNE, Pa. (VENTUREWIRE) -- TalentPoint, a provider of services and ?technology for recruiting, deploying, and retaining corporate talent, said it ?will change its name to Kenexa. The company said the name Kenexa enables it ?to differentiate itself from other companies presently using "talent" in ?their corporate names. The company had changed its name from Raymond Karsan ?Associates in May. Kenexa is backed by Parthenon Capital. ?	http://www.talentpoint.com?	?	Monitoring Firm Gecko Software Now Eccord Systems?	
	
	SAN JOSE, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Gecko Software, a provider of technology 
that enables IT firms to monitor the performance quality of critical business 
services in real time, said it changed its name to Eccord Systems. The 
company raised $2 million of first round funding from Pond Vetnure Partners 
that was announced in August.
	http://www.eccordsystems.com
	
	Online Software Firm iSwag.com Changes Name to Develos 
	?	?	LAS VEGAS (VENTUREWIRE) -- iSwag.com, which develops and markets software ?products and services for Internet, Intranet and extranet applications, said ?it has changed its name to Develos. The company, which was formed as a ?business-to-business site for brand merchandising and promotional products ?companies, said it will now provide online services to a variety of markets, ?including the printing, media, and food and beverage industries. Develos is ?backed by Grand Capital, Spotlight Interactive, Zanett Securities, and ?individual investors.   ?	http://www.develos.com?	?	m&a?	??	E-Payment Firm Trintech Buys Globeset for $31 Million ?	
	
	SAN MATEO, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Trintech, a publicly-traded provider of 
electronic payment infrastructure technology, said it has acquired another 
e-payment firm, Globeset, and all of its intellectual property rights to its 
software products. Globeset was acquired for $10 million in stock, $21 
million in cash, and the assumption of liabilities. Globeset is backed by 
Compaq, CitiGroup, Deustche Bank, Chase Manhattan, American Express, and 
individual investors.  
	http://www.globeset.com
	http://www.trintech.com
	
	Government Web Services Firm Netgov.com Acquires Gov24.com
	?	?	CHICAGO (VENTUREWIRE) -- Netgov.com, a provider of Internet services to local ?governments and government institutions, said it acquired Gov24.com, a ?provider of Web-based products for courts and other government agencies. ?Terms of the deal were undisclosed. Gov24.com and its 25 employees will stay ?in Cleveland, Ohio. Willem Sellenraad, co-founder and CEO of Gov24.com, will ?remain with the company as senior vice president of court solutions. ?Netgov.com is backed by Minotaur Capital Management, Blue Chip Venture ?Company, Gazelle Tech Ventures, and Softbank Venture Capital. Gov24.com is ?backed by Big Sky Capital.?	http://www.gov24.com?	http://www.netgov.com?	?	Global Supply Chain Firm FreeBorders Buys Applied Intranet?	
	
	SAN FRANCISCO (VENTUREWIRE) -- FreeBorders, a provider of international 
supply chain technology for the apparel, textile, and retail industry, said 
it has acquired Applied Intranet Technologies, which provides collaborative 
product design and development applications. The financial terms of the 
acquisition were not disclosed. Freeborders, which raised $25 million in a 
recent second round, is backed by ICG Asia, IBM, Fountain Set, Crystal Group, 
Luen Thai, a garment manufacturer, Tal Apparel, Orient Holding International, 
Grupo Mina, McKinsey and Co., EMVA and Saints Venture Advisors. Applied 
Intranet was backed by Internet Capital Group.    
	http://www.freeborders.com
	
	Palmspring Acquires Mobile Generation, Now Called Handmark
	?	?	KANSAS CITY, Mo. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Palmspring, a Palm OS based devices ?software developer, said it acquired Mobile Generation Software, and its Web ?site, mobilegeneration.com, which serves the Palm OS handheld market, for an ?undisclosed amount. The acquisition gives Palmspring software titles for Palm ?OS devices, including MobileDB, used for Palm OS handhelds; Four.Zero, the ?student software used on college campuses and in high schools; and 12 ?additional applications. Palmspring also announced that the company will ?change its name to Handmark by the end of this year. Cassidy Lackey, founder ?of Mobile Generation, will become vice president of engineering for ?Handmark.  The companies are backed by undislcosed investors.     ?	http://www.handmark.com?	http://www.mobilegeneration.com?	?	Wireless Firm Stellcom Acquires Interface Firm Digital Asylu?	
	
	SAN DIEGO (VENTUREWIRE) -- Stellcom, a San Diego-based wireless systems 
integration and mobile workforce applications firm, said it has acquired 
Digital Asylum, a self-funded, usability focused interface and design firm, 
for an undisclosed amount. The company said that Digital Asylum, also San 
Diego-based, will move into Stellcom headquarters. Stellcom raised $50 
million in its Series B round of financing earlier this month from Goldman 
Sachs and Frontenac.    
	http://www.digitalasylum.com
	http://www.stellcom.com
	
	XML Provider Cape Clear Acquires Java Tech Firm Orbware
	?	?	DUBLIN (VENTUREWIRE) -- Cape Clear Software, which provides XML ?infrastructure, said it acquired London-based Orbware, which provides ?products based on Java technology. The acquisition was made with a ?combination of cash and stock. All of Orbware's management and employees will ?be retained and absorbed into Cape Clear. Cape Clear Software is backed by ?ACT Venture Capital. The company's product suite provides transport, ?workflow, and transformation capability that enables middelware components to ?be integrated with XML-based Internet applications. ?	http://www.capeclear.com?	http://www.orbware.com?	?	new directors?	??	Transcription Firm WordWave Adds Mainspring Exec to Board?	
	
	BOSTON (VENTUREWIRE) -- WordWave, a provider of digitized information 
transcription and searchable multimedia, said it appointed Ron Frank to its 
board of directors. Mr. Frank is vice president and managing director at 
Mainspring, which provides electronic commerce strategy consulting services. 
WordWave is backed by Highland Capital Partners and Berkshire Partners.
	http://www.wordwave.com
	
	AT&T'S Bruce Goemaat Named to ASP Mi8's Board of Directors
	?	?	NEW YORK (VENTUREWIRE) -- Mi8, an application service provider for small and ?mid-size organizations, said that it named Bruce Goemaat to its board of ?directors. Mr. Goemaat has held various positions at AT&T for more than 25 ?years and currently serves as vice president of special markets. Mi8 received ?an undisclosed equity investment from Safeguard Scientifics in March and is ?also backed by individual investors.   ?	http://www.mi8.com?	?	Auto Site Developer BVerticals Appoints Auto Exec To Board?	
	
	CORTE MADERA, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- BVerticals, which develops automotive 
Web sites for car enthusiasts, said it has appointed John Waraniak to the 
board as its third member. Mr. Waraniak was an executive at Johnson Controls, 
an automotive facilities and systems control firm, and has worked at several 
companies including General Motors and Hughes Aircraft. BVerticals is backed 
by outside investors. 
	http://www.bverticals.com
	
	Red Oak Software Names Information Technology Execs to Board
	?	?	MOUNTAIN LAKES, N. J. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Software firm Red Oak Software said it ?has appointed Gregor Bailar, executive vice president and CIO for the ?National Association of Securities Dealers, and Ed Coleman, former IBM ?executive and president and CEO of equipment reseller CompuCom, as its ?board's third and fourth members. Red Oak Software recently launched the ?Legacy Integrator, an enterprise application integration product. Red Oak ?raised $2 million from Opticality Ventures in its first round of funding ?earlier this year.   ?	http://www.redoaksw.com?	?	Telecomm Broker Chapel Hill Broadband Names First Chairman ?	
	
	CARY, N.C. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Chapel Hill Broadband, a carrier-neutral broker 
of wholesale telecommunications services, said it named the company's 
president Brent Wilkins as its first chairman of the board. Mr. Wilkins has 
been the company's president since it started in March. Prior to joining the 
company, Mr. Wilkins was the director of wholesale services at Interpath 
Communications, a subsidiary of Carolina Power and Light. Chapel Hill 
Broadband is funded by Star Supply, an oil and gas broker.
	http://www.chbroadband.com
	
	new people
	?
	Multimedia Firm KeeBoo Appoints Bertelsman Exec as CEO
	?	?	BOSTON (VENTUREWIRE) -- KeeBoo, which makes multimedia Web books and digital ?content applications, said it has appointed Michael C. Hedegaard, former CFO ?of Grupo Editorial Bertelsman, a division of Bertelsman, as CEO. He replaces ?Michael Safars, who will become chairman of the board. Earlier this month ?KeeBoo raised $11 million in its second round of financing led by Paribas ?Affaires Industrielles.?	http://www.keeboo.com?	?	Global Telecom Provider edge2net Names New CEO, Chairman?	
	
	KIRKLAND, Wash. (VENTUREWIRE) -- edge2net, a provider of international 
telecommunications services, said it has appointed Tom Pardun chief executive 
officer and chairman of the board. Mr. Pardun previously served as president 
of MediaOne's Asia Pacific operation. He also serves on the board of Western 
Digital Corporation. Mr. Pardun is expected to help the company build develop 
its enhanced circuit and IP based networks. edge2net is backed by AT&T 
Ventures, Cedar Grove Investments, Columbia Capital, and individuals.    
	http://www.edge2net.net
	
	Net Marketplace Apps Developer TechTrader Announces New CEO
	?	?	WASHINGTON (VENTUREWIRE) -- TechTrader, which develops software for ?business-to-business Internet marketplaces, said it has named Matt ?Suffoletto, former senior vice president and general manager at Primavera ?Systems, as CEO, replacing founder Jacob Pechenik, who will remain chairman ?of the board. TechTrader raised $19 million in its second round of financing ?led by J Net Enterprises and Vistaar.    ?	http://www.techtrader.com?	?	Multimedia Tech Firm ViaGate Technologies Announces New CEO?	
	
	BRIDGEWATER, N. J. (VENTUREWIRE) -- ViaGate Technologies, which designs and 
distributes multimedia access products, said it has appointed Dennis Roth as 
president and CEO. Mr. Roth replaces Brian Chen, who will now be CTO and will 
remain on the board. Idanta Partners and Needham Capital Partners invested 
$25 million in ViaGate earlier this year.    
	http://www.viagate.com
	
	New CEO, President Named At Wireless Tech Firm TracerNET
	?	?	CHANTILLY, Va. (VENTUREWIRE) -- TracerNET, which provides integrated wireless ?location and message technology, said Eric Oganesoff, formerly chief of ?electronic marketing strategy of Louisiana Pacific Corp., has joined the ?company as its new president and chief executive officer. Before working at ?Louisiana Pacific, Mr. Oganesoff was chairman and CEO of GreenStone ?Industries, which he founded. TracerNet is backed by undisclosed individual ?and institutional investors.?	http://www.tracernet.com?	?	Sales & Marketing Apps Firm Promptu Appoints Tech Exec CEO?	
	
	MILPITAS, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Promptu, a Web-based marketing and sales 
applications firm, said it has appointed Godfrey Sullivan as its chief 
executive officer. Mr. Sullivan is former vice president of business 
marketing at Apple Computer and executive vice president at Autodesk, a 
design automation firm. He replaces founder and current CEO Alan Chase, who 
will remain chairman of the board. Promptu raised $3.3 million in its Series 
B round from Swander Pace Capital in August of this year.     
	http://www.promtu.com
	
	vc fund news
	?
	British Telecom Establishing New Incubator, Brightstar 
	?	?	LONDON (VENTUREWIRE) -- BT, the English telecommunications firm, said it was ?forming a new incubator, Brightstar, to take enable BT employees to utilize ?the company's technologies and develop businesses. A spokesperson for BT said ?that the company would only incubate those technologies that could attain a ?GBP 100 million market capitalization within three years. Brightstar, based ?in the company's Advanced Communications Technology Center at Adastral Park, ?will bring six or seven of its ideas under development to the launch stage by ?2001, according to the company. ?	http://www.bt.com?	?	At First Close, Odin Capital Has $40.6 Million For New Fund?	
	
	OMAHA, Neb. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Odin Capital Group, a private equity investment 
firm, said it has completed the initial close of its first fund, raising 
$40.6 million. The fund will invest $1 million to $5 million in information 
services, niche financial services, and electronic commerce companies. 
Investors in the fund are the Omaha School Employees' Retirement System and 
eOne Global, a new payment technology company founded by First Data Corp. and 
iFormation Group. The fund is managed by Odin's founding partners, David 
McLeese, Thompson Rogers and Donna Walsh.    
	http://www.odincapital.com
	
	Electronics for Imaging Starts Venture Fund with $20 Million
	?	?	FOSTER CITY, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Electronics for Imaging, a publicly ?traded company that develops network printing technology, said it invested in ?two companies through its newly formed venture capital fund. The fund, first ?announced in October, was formed with an initial investment of $20 million in ?order to back early-stage companies developing imaging technologies. The ?first of these investments was in D2P, which provides workflow and online ?graphics solutions for the graphic arts industry. The company links ?publishers, advertising agencies, design studios, and their clients with ?printers, output bureaus, and copy centers. Electronics for Imaging also ?invested in DOR Ventures, a venture capital fund that invests in new media ?publishing, printing, and imaging related technologies.?	http://www.efi.com?	?	vc personnel?	??	ETF Group Opens Two More European Offices?	
	
	MANNO, Switzerland (VENTUREWIRE) -- ETF Group, an investment firm that 
focuses on emerging technology, media and telecommunications companies, said 
it opened new offices in London and Paris. Maurice Khawam, formerly a partner 
with Apax Partners, will run the Paris office, and Olav Oftin, previously 
director at Enskilda Securities, will run the London office. The company 
opened its first U.S. office last week. 
	http://www.etfgroup.com
	
	company index
	?	?	BizSpace, Bla-Bla.com, Bravida, British Telecommunications, BVerticals, Cape ?Clear Software, Chapel Hill Broadband, CheMatch.com, Develos, Digital Asylum, ?Eccord Systems, edge2net, Eko Systems, Electronics for Imaging, ETF, ?Europ@web, Filanet, FreeBorders, fSona Communications, Fullscope, Globeset, ?Gov24.com, Handmark, HyperTrust, Iluvcamp.com, KeeBoo, Mi8, Mobile Generation ?Software, NearMe, Netgov.com, NetPlexus, Odin Capital Group, Optical ?CrossLinks, Orbware, PowerLoom, Promptu, Red Oak Software, SmartSignal, ?Sprout Group, Stellcom, TalentPoint, TechTrader, TIS Worldwide, TracerNET, ?TrinTech Group, Valaran, ViaGate Technologies, WebCT, WordWave, Yazam.com?	?	?	?	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?	
	
	AdValvas Group, Advanced Technology Ventures, Anila Fund, Beacon Ventures, 
Celtic House International, eMedia Club, EnerTech Capital Partners, Equitek 
Capital, Essex Investment Management, Goldman Sachs Group, High Street 
Partners, i-Hatch Ventures, IT-Partners, K.C. Venture Group, Kinsman Capital, 
MCG Credit, Munder NetNet Fund, Network Capital, News Press & Gazette, Onset 
Ventures, Patricof & Co. Ventures, Photonics Fund, Pogue ! Capital 
Management, Prime New Ventures, Rana Investment, Royal Bank Ventures, Signal 
Lake Venture Fund, Silverline Technologies, St. Paul Venture Capital, TL 
Ventures, Topps, Westbury Equity Partners, Working Opportunity Fund
	
	
	
	
	
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