?	
?	VentureWire
	Thursday, December 07, 2000	?
?	CONTENTS | COMPANIES | INVESTORS | ADVERTISE | TELL A FRIEND	?
?	
	
	
	top stories
	
	* Providence Equity Partners Raises $2.8 Billion Fund
	* Insight Capital Partners Raising $750 Million Fund
	* Optical Technology Firm Caspian Gets $85 Million
	* Technologic Partners Names Top Ten at Technology Outlook
	
	
	TODAY'S FEATURE
	First Tuesday Gets Serious
	By Suzanne Segers Travers
	Perhaps it wasn't fair to expect a circus, but walking in to this month's 
First Tuesday, held at New York's Bryant Park Grill, 450 attendees had to 
pass enormous red and white tents, set up in the adjacent park for Barnum's 
new spectacular, KaleidOscape. more>>
	
	
	
	
	At Optix 2001, in February, in Pasadena...
	...the smartest people in the optical communications business
	will be gathered for THE industry event at the Ritz Carlton
	Huntington Hotel & Spa. Headliners include:
	
	* Joe Bass, VP & GM, Wavelength Routing Business Unit, Cisco
	* John Bowers, Director, Multidisciplinary Optical Switching
	Technology Center, UC Santa Barbara
	* Patrick Nettles, Chairman & CEO, Ciena
	* Don Smith, President, Optical Internet, Nortel Networks
	* Kerry Valhala, Professor, Applied Physics, Caltech
	
	Participation at this event is subject to approval and
	limited to senior executives involved in the optical
	communications industry. For your registration pack:http://www.optix2001.com/
Optix2001 -- Toward the Photonic Internet
	February 11 - 14, 2001, Ritz Carlton Huntington Hotel & Spa,
	Pasadena, CA
	
	
	
	new money
	
	* PacketVideo Raising Round for Up to $100 Million 
	* Benefits App Firm BISnet Raises $2 Million in Series A
	* IP Firm Mediatrix Telecom Closes $14.5 Million First Round
	* Wireless ASP GiantBear Secures $25 Million in Series B
	* Distributed Computing Firm Simulant Raises $400,000 Seed
	* United Devices Looking for $25 Million in Series B Funding
	* Consulting Firm Quidnunc Lands $14.5 Million in Round Two
	* Exec Benefits Firm Rivenet Raises $8 Million Series B
	* Mobile Game Firm In-Fusio Raises $11.5 Million Round Two
	* Platform Developer Advent Has $22.6 Million Round Two
	* The Iris Group Raises $2.23 Million in Round Two
	* Israeli IP Technology Firm Xpert Gets $15 Million
	* YourEnergySource Buys Stake in B2B Marketplace CheMatch.com
	* Patient Data Firm InfoMedics Raises $10 Million F Round
	* Stock Quote ASP Money.net Closes Series C Led by Mitsubishi
	* 3Com Ventures Takes Stake in Fitness Tech Firm HealtheTech
	* Auction Software Firm Trade Extensions Raises $450,000
	
	
	bad news
	
	* HarvardNet Cuts Staff, Shuts Down DSL Connection Services
	* Advice Site Exp.com Changes Strategy, Cuts 15% of Staff
	* @Viso Will No Longer Fund Jewelry Retailer Diamond.com 
	* divine interVentures Takes Back $10 Million Commitment
	* CarsDirect.com Pulls IPO Citing Market Conditions
	
	
	new products
	
	* Global E-Library Network BiblioMondo.com Launches
	* Tech Firm Telaric to Launch Incubator Services in January
	
	
	new deals
	
	* Brightstar and IncuVest Form Strategic Alliance
	
	
	m&a
	
	* Interfaith Web Site Beliefnet.com Acquires CharityCounts.com
	* FilmTrust Acquires IFILM Software Assets for Equity Stake
	* Inustry B2B Dairy.com and INC2inc Merge to Form Momentx
	* Media Ad Sales Site BuyMedia Acquires REP-PAK Media Systems
	
	
	new directors
	
	* Marketing Apps Firm Wheelhouse Adds to Board
	* Network Photonics Appoints Telecom Founder to Board
	* ASP Allegrix Names Flycast Co-founder as Chairman
	* Cycore Adds Three to Board of Directors
	* Bond Trading System Developer TruMarkets Names Two to Board
	* InfrastructureWorld.com Names Ex-Forbes Head Vice Chairman
	* InsuranceNoodle Appoints Insurance Executive to Board
	* Market Forecasting Firm Opion Names Board Members
	* T-Speed Broadband Communications Announces Board Appointment
	
	
	new people
	
	* AirMedia Names Former IBM General Magager as its New CEO
	* E-Business Firm Plural Names Former IBM Exec CEO, President
	* Commerce Infrastructure Firm Moai Promotes Pres, COO to CEO
	* Digital TV Software Firm TeraLogic Names New CEO
	* Former Griffin Exec Named CEO of Agriculture Site AgWeb
	* Infrastructure Firm Lightspeed Interactive Names CEO
	* New President & CEO Takes Helm at Buyproduce
	* Online Investment Facilitation Firm Go4Equity Names CEO
	* Online Legal Documents Firm eLaw.com Names CEO
	
	
	vc personnel
	
	* Two Head West To Run Optical Capital Group's New Office
	
	
	vw corrections
	
	* InPhonic
	* Nisus
	* Salesnet
	
	TOP STORIES... NEW MONEY... BAD NEWS... NEW PRODUCTS... NEW DEALS... M&A... 
NEW DIRECTORS... NEW PEOPLE... VC PERSONNEL... VW CORRECTIONS
	
	
	top
	
	
	VentureFinance:The private equity authority.
	
	Every month VentureFinance tells you where venture
	capitalists are investing and why, which has made it
	a must read for angels, fund managers, investment bankers,
	general partners, and specialists in buyouts and business
	development. From Technologic Partners, following private
	investments since 1985.http://technologicpartners.com/tp/vf/
	
	
	top stories
	?
	Providence Equity Partners Raises $2.8 Billion Fund
	mail this story? top
	
	PROVIDENCE, R.I. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Providence Equity Partners, a private 
equity investment firm with offices in Providence, R.I., and London said it 
closed a  $2.8 billion Fund IV in November. The fund was raised from the 
firm's existing limited partners. Focusing on telecommunications and media 
companies, Providence Equity Partners will commit between $25 million and 
$200 million to each of its portfolio companies and will invest across all 
development stages. Its past private equity investments include Mpower 
Communications, Tele1 Europe Holding A.B., Verio, Brooks Fiber Properties, 
and Western Wireless.  
	http://www.provequity.com
	
	
	Insight Capital Partners Raising $750 Million Fund
	mail this story? top
	
	NEW YORK (VENTUREWIRE) -- At an industry conference in New York, Jerry 
Murdock, co-founding partner of Insight Capital Partners, said the firm was 
raaising its fourth fund, worth $750 million. A spokesperson for the firm 
said that the fund's final closing is slated for early next year, and it has 
already begun deploying the funds. Details about the investments weren't 
disclosed. 
	http://www.insightpartners.com
	
	
	Optical Technology Firm Caspian Gets $85 Million
	mail this story? top
	
	SAN JOSE, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Caspian Networks, a company that is 
building technology for service providers' optical networks, said it raised 
$85 milllion in its third round of funding. Merrill Lynch, H&Q Asia Pacific, 
SSB Capital Partners, ABN AMRO Private Equity, Global Technology Group 
Ventures, Acute Communications and i100 Optical Asia are new investors in the 
round. Previous investors participating in this round were U.S. Venture 
Partners, New Enterprise Associates, Lucent Venture Partners, WorldCom 
Ventures, Vulcan Ventures, Alloy Ventures, and Applied Technologies. 
Individual investors Nicholas Negroponte and Leonard Kleinrock also invested. 
With this round, the company has raised $140 million to date. The company 
added a board seat and an observer board seat.
	http://www.caspiannetworks.com
	
	
	Technologic Partners Names Top Ten at Technology Outlook
	mail this story? top
	
	SAN FRANCISCO (VENTUREWIRE) -- Technologic Partners, which publishes 
VentureWire, named the top ten Investors' Choice companies at its Technology 
Outllook conference. The winners were chosen by conference attendees and a 
panel of industry observers that included William Cockayne, director of Kodak 
Venture Division; William A. Frezza, general partner with Adams Capital 
Management; Seth Goldstein, principal of Flatirion Partners; and Mark H. 
Sherman, general partner with Battery Ventures. The ten winners, in 
alphabetical order, are 2Wire, AlterEgo Networks, Atheros Communications, 
Entropia, MobileAria, PacketVideo, Silicon Wave, Tresidder Networks, United 
Devices, and ViaFone.
	http://www.technologicpartners.com
	
	
	new money
	?
	PacketVideo Raising Round for Up to $100 Million 
	mail this story? top
	
	SAN FRANCISCO (VENTUREWIRE) -- PacketVideo, which provides wireless 
multimedia software and services for mobile applications, is raising a Series 
E round  of new funding, which it expects to close between $80 million and 
$100 million by January. PacketVideo raised a $16.5 million Series D round 
this past May. The company is backed by Credit Suisse First Boston, Intel, 
Nexus Group, Qualcomm, Reuters, Royal Philips Electronics, Siemens Mustang 
Ventures, the Rockefeller family, Sonera Venture Capital, Sony, Texas 
Instruments, Time Warner, and others.   
	http://www.packetvideo.com
	
	
	Benefits App Firm BISnet Raises $2 Million in Series A
	mail this story? top
	
	CONCORD, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- BISnet, which develops employee benefit 
enrollment and administration applications and software for mid-size and 
large comppanies, said Colonial Life and Accident Insurance Co. has invested 
$2 million as part of the company's still-open Series A round of financing. 
This investment brings the total amount raised to date from undisclosed 
individuals and strategic partners to $4.2 million. The company seeks an 
additional $5.8 million and said it will use the funds to increase sales.    
	http://www.bisnet.com
	
	
	IP Firm Mediatrix Telecom Closes $14.5 Million First Round
	mail this story? top
	
	MONTREAL (VENTUREWIRE) -- Mediatrix, a supplier of Internet protocol service 
applications, signaling software stacks, server software, and intelligennt 
communication devices including access and trunking gateways, said it has 
closed a $14.5 million first round of financing. Mustang Ventures, the 
venture arm of Siemen's Information and Communication Networking groups, as 
well as other undisclosed investors, participated in the round. The company 
said it will use the funds to develop and commercialize its applications.   
	http://www.mediatrix.com
	
	
	Wireless ASP GiantBear Secures $25 Million in Series B
	mail this story? top
	
	WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (VENTUREWIRE) -- GiantBear, a wireless application service 
provider, said it has secured $25 million in its Series B round of funding 
led byy First Union Capital Partners that included previous investors, Thomas 
H. Lee Partners and Blackstone Capital Partners. The company said it will use 
the funds to develop its technology and expand market reach. Sean Smith of 
First Union Capital Partners will join GiantBear's board of directors.    
	http://www.giantbear.com
	
	
	Distributed Computing Firm Simulant Raises $400,000 Seed
	mail this story? top
	
	PASADENA, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Simulant, which has developed software to 
network computers together for processing power equal to that of 
supercomputers,  said it has raised $400,000 in a seed funding from ITU 
Ventures, a venture capital firm that finances businesses emerging from 
graduate universities. The company was founded by professor Axel Scherer and 
students Tom Baehr-Jones and Michael Hochberg from the California Institute 
of Technology. The company said it will use the funds for working capital and 
for business and product development.    
	http://www.simulant.com
	
	
	United Devices Looking for $25 Million in Series B Funding
	mail this story? top
	
	SAN FRANCISCO (VENTUREWIRE) -- Austin, Texas-based United Devices, which 
develops and manages Internet distributed computing technology, said it was 
lookiing to raise between $20 million and $25 million in a Series B round of 
funding to close by March of 2001. The company said it would use the funding 
to recruit additional senior management, product development, and for sales 
and marketing. United Devices closed its Series A round in August with $13 
million and is backed by Oak Investment Partners, Softbank Venture Capital, 
and others.
	http://www.ud.com
	
	
	Consulting Firm Quidnunc Lands $14.5 Million in Round Two
	mail this story? top
	
	NEW YORK (VENTUREWIRE) -- Quidnunc, an international digital business 
consulting firm, said it has secured $14.5 million in its second round of 
fundiing led by Barclays Ventures. The round also included Weston Presido 
Capital, Goldman Sachs Private Equity Partners, and Pi Capital. The company 
said it will use the funds to develop its international infrastructure. The 
company raised $15 million in its first round over a year ago.    
	http://www.quidnunc.com
	
	
	Exec Benefits Firm Rivenet Raises $8 Million Series B
	mail this story? top
	
	CHICAGO (VENTUREWIRE) -- Rivenet, an online company that automates the 
design, implementation, and administration of non-qualified benefit plans 
forr executives, said it has raised $8 million in its Series B round from 
co-leads William Blair New World Ventures and Lunn Partners. Adam Schecter, a 
principle of William Blair New World Ventures, and Robert Lunn, a managing 
partner of Lunn Partners, will join Rivenet's board as the fourth and fifth 
members. The company said it will use the funds to develop its technology and 
to form partnerships with the insurance and executive benefits industries.   
	http://www.rivenet.com
	
	
	Mobile Game Firm In-Fusio Raises $11.5 Million Round Two
	mail this story? top
	
	BORDEAUX, France  (VENTUREWIRE) -- In-Fusio, a supplier of connected mobile 
game services to telecom mobile operators, said it received GBP 8 million 
($11.5 mmillion) in its second round of funding. Banexi Ventures, Codexi, 
Expanso, Natio Vie et D,veloppement III, Partech, and Viventures participated 
in the round. In-Fusio said it will use the funds to continue its product 
development and strengthen its international expansion into Europe and Asia. 
The company's ExEn technology allows games to be downloaded from a server 
onto mobile phones. In-Fusio received  nearly $1.9 million in its first round 
from Banexi Ventures in 1999.  
	http://www.in-fusio.com
	
	
	Platform Developer Advent Has $22.6 Million Round Two
	mail this story? top
	
	AUSTIN, Texas. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Advent Networks, which is developing a 
platform for high-bandwidth delivery, said it has secured $22.6 million in 
its seconnd round of funding led by UtiliCorp United, an energy company. 
Other investors include Southern Union Company, which already holds an 11% 
stake in Advent, Motorola, Reliant Energy, Murphree Venture Partners, and 
Morgan Keegan & Co. The company said it will use the funds to develop its 
technology.     
	http://www.adventnetworks.com
	
	
	The Iris Group Raises $2.23 Million in Round Two
	mail this story? top
	
	DUBLIN (VENTUREWIRE) -- The Iris Group, a geographic data and technology 
company, said it has secured EUR 2.5 million ($2.23 million) in its secondd 
round of funding from Merrion Capital, Trinity Venture Capital, and 
individual investors. The company said it will use the funds to support the 
growth of Mapflow, its new Internet and wireless technology unit. Mapflow is 
focused on technology that would pinpoint the location of the wireless user 
and make it easier for the user to download Internet content specific to 
their location. 
	http://www.iris-gis.com
	
	
	Israeli IP Technology Firm Xpert Gets $15 Million
	mail this story? top
	
	JERUSALEM (VENTUREWIRE) -- Xpert, a provider of architecture design and 
implementation for IP-based service providers, said it received $15 million 
frrom Israel Seed Partners, CDB WebTech, and previous investeor 
Ampal-American Israel. The company will use the funds for its European 
expansion. Michael Eisenberg, general partner at Israel Seed, will join the 
company's board of directors. 
	http://www.xpert.com
	
	
	YourEnergySource Buys Stake in B2B Marketplace CheMatch.com
	mail this story? top
	
	HOUSTON (VENTUREWIRE) -- CheMatch.com, a business-to-business Internet-based 
marketplace for buyers and sellers of bulk commodity chemicals, plasticcs and 
fuel products, and YourEnergySource, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aquila 
Energy Corp., announced that YourEnergySource has made an equity investment 
in CheMatch.com. Last month CheMatch laid off eight employees but said at the 
time it expected more funding. The two companies also formed a strategic 
alliance which enables CheMatch.com customers to negotiate for power and 
natural gas contracts online on YourEnergySource's RFP Marketplace. 
YourEnergySource operates a digital energy marketplace. 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
	http://www.yourenergysource.com 
	
	
	Patient Data Firm InfoMedics Raises $10 Million F Round
	mail this story? top
	
	WOBURN, Mass. (VENTUREWIRE) -- InfoMedics, a provider of experimental patient 
data for the pharmaceutical industry, said it closed a $10 million Series F  
round of financing. Merrill Lynch Ventures and previous investors Sutter Hill 
Ventures, North Bridge Venture Partners, UnitedHealth Care's Validus, and 
Johnson & Johnson Development participated in the round. The company said it 
will use the funds to support growth and worldwide expansion of the company, 
and to further new product development. InfoMedics documents patients' 
experiences with pharmaceutical and over-the-counter products, and provides 
experimential patient data back to prescribing physicians and pharmaceutical 
companies. The company has raised $25 million to date.  
	http://www.infomedics.com
	
	
	Stock Quote ASP Money.net Closes Series C Led by Mitsubishi
	mail this story? top
	
	NEW YORK (VENTUREWIRE) -- Money.net, a hosted, streaming, real-time market 
data ASP, said it closed a Series C round of financing led by Mitsubishi aat 
an undisclosed amount. Other investors in the round were not disclosed. The 
company said it would use the funds to enhance its streaming technology and 
expand its ASP licensing business. A member of Mitsubishi will join 
Money.net's board of directors. The company is also backed by C. Blair Asset 
Management. 
	http://www.money.net
	
	
	3Com Ventures Takes Stake in Fitness Tech Firm HealtheTech
	mail this story? top
	
	SANTA CLARA, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- 3Com Ventures announced that it took an 
undisclosed stake in HealtheTech, a provider of consumer health monitoring 
technoloogy. HealtheTech will provide a new health channel on 3Com's Internet 
appliance, Audrey, which will give consumers access to HealtheTech's Web 
service. 3Com will receive a revenue share on service subscriptions and the 
sale of HealtheTech products and devices bought by Audrey users. HealtheTech 
has received funding from Palm Ventures and Proctor & Gamble. 
	http://www.healthetech.com
	
	
	Auction Software Firm Trade Extensions Raises $450,000
	mail this story? top
	
	STOCKHOLM (VENTUREWIRE) -- Stonepath Europe, a joint venture of Stonepath 
Group, said it invested $450,000 in Trade Extensions, a company that 
developps software for streamlining  online auction platforms. 
	http://www.tradeextensions.com
	
	
	bad news
	?
	HarvardNet Cuts Staff, Shuts Down DSL Connection Services
	mail this story? top
	
	MEDFORD, Mass.  (VENTUREWIRE) -- HarvardNet, which provided DSL and Web 
hosting services, said it is cutting its staff by 280 employees and halting 
its DSL  operations. The company said it will concentrate on its Web hosting 
and managed services business. Mark Washburn, president and CEO of 
HarvardNet, said, "The DSL business is very capital intensive and the recent 
dramatic downturn in the financial markets makes it difficult to continue 
offering DSL services." HarvardNet is offering a severance package, 
outplacement counseling, and a job fair for the employees affected by the 
restructuring. The company had raised $70 million in its second round of 
funding from investors including the Sturm Group, Vulcan Ventures, Fidelity 
Ventures, M/C Venture Partners, and Osborne Capital.
	http://www.harvardnet.com
	
	
	Advice Site Exp.com Changes Strategy, Cuts 15% of Staff
	mail this story? top
	
	MENLO PARK, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Exp.com, a Web site where users can post 
a question and get expert advice, said it is laying off 15% of its staff, or 
17 emmployees, as a result of its change in business strategy to focus more 
on the business-to-business market. The company said it will offer similar 
services to businesses, providing infrastructure that will enable businesses 
to offer their own network of experts or use Exp.com's list of experts. The 
company said it continues to hire, specifically in sales and engineering 
departments, and plans to be profitable without additional funding. Exp.com 
is backed by Ask Jeeves, MeVC Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Bessmer Venture 
Partners, CMGI@Ventures, Maveron, Bowman Capital, J. & W. Seligman, and 
Oracle Ventures.
	http://www.exp.com
	
	
	@Viso Will No Longer Fund Jewelry Retailer Diamond.com 
	mail this story? top
	
	FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Diamond.com, a diamond and jewelry 
retail site said it will not receive any new investments from French 
incubator @Viso as  planned.  @Viso is a joint venture between Vivendi and 
Softbank, aimed at helping US Internet companies gain market entry into 
continental Europe. Earlier this week Softbank said @Viso will not be making 
new investments. According to a diamond.com spokesperson, both companies are 
"resizing." @Viso has invested $2 million in Diamond.com to date. Odimo, 
majority owned by Softbank Capital Partners and The Steinmetz Diamond Group, 
purchased Diamond.com in May. Diamond.com closed a round of funding led by 
Softbank last week which also included The Steinmetz Group, STI Ventures, 
Data Investments, and Lipton Group. 
	http://www.diamond.com
	
	
	divine interVentures Takes Back $10 Million Commitment
	mail this story? top
	
	CHICAGO (VENTUREWIRE) -- Divine interVentures, the publicly traded 
information technology holding company, said it withdrew its $10 million 
commitmeent to Skyscraper Ventures, a seed and early-stage venture fund. 
Skyscraper's remaining partner, Mesirow Financial, said it will focus on 
finding a suitable replacement or if not, find a new investment vehicle to 
continue Skyscraper's investment strategy. In a statement, divine's Paul 
Humenansky, president and COO said, "We continue to support high-tech 
development in the Chicago area, but believe in light of current market 
conditions we must dedicate our efforts and capital toward maximizing the 
value of our existing associated companies and to meet our planned investment 
level." In November, divine let go of 43% of its staff.
	http://www.divineinterventures.com
	
	
	CarsDirect.com Pulls IPO Citing Market Conditions
	mail this story? top
	
	NEW YORK (VENTUREWIRE) -- CarsDirect.com, the online auto dealer which raised 
over $300 million in venture capital funding, pulled its IPO. In a lettter to 
the SEC the company said, "it is not in the best interest of the company's 
stockholders to proceed with the offering under the current volatile market 
conditions." CarsDirect.com is backed by investors including idealab!, along 
with Foundation Capital, Goldman Sachs Group, MSD Capital, Primedia Ventures, 
UnitedAuto Group and Penske Automotive Group, and a number of other investors.
	http://www.carsdirect.com
	
	
	new products
	?
	Global E-Library Network BiblioMondo.com Launches
	mail this story? top
	
	PHILADELPHIA (VENTUREWIRE) -- BiblioMondo.com, a global electronic library 
network announced it has launched. The company was formed after Best-Seller, 
aa software company, acquired the European Software Maker ALS International, 
and renamed it BiblioMondo.com. The acquisition was funded by Investissement 
Desjardins, The Royal Bank of Canada, TechnoCap of Montreal, and an 
individual European investor. BiblioMondo.com has network nodes in London, 
Paris, Cologne, Amsterdam, Philadelphia, and Montreal.    
	http://www.bibliomondo.com
	
	
	Tech Firm Telaric to Launch Incubator Services in January
	mail this story? top
	
	MEQUON, Wis. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Telaric, which has developed its own technology 
and created spin-off companies CartaNova and Vigilo to commercialize its 
teechnology, said as of the first of the year it will be offering high tech 
incubator services to companies in the medical electronics, medical 
information technology, and business information technology areas. Telaric 
said it will provide financial advice, facilities, equipment, and 
administrative support. To date, Telaric has been funded by founders and 
partners, but is in the process of raising a round of external financing. 
Telephone 414-803-8182.
	
	
	new deals
	?
	Brightstar and IncuVest Form Strategic Alliance
	mail this story? top
	
	LONDON (VENTUREWIRE) -- Brightstar, an incubator owned by British 
Telecommunications (BT), said it is creating an alliance with incuVest, which 
devvelops and operates technology companies. The two companies will look for 
new business opportunities and technologies to establish. The company said 
there will be an undisclosed equity exchange as part of the deal. incuVEst 
will have 60 to 70 employees at BT. IncuVest opened a U.K. office in October. 
	http://www.btbrightstar.com
	http://www.incuvest.com
	
	
	m&a
	?
	Interfaith Web Site Beliefnet.com Acquires CharityCounts.com
	mail this story? top
	
	NEW YORK (VENTUREWIRE) -- Beliefnet.com, a multifaith Web site providing 
information, advice, and news, said it acquired CharityCounts.com, a Web 
sitte that includes information on several nonprofit organizations. Beliefnet 
will use CharityCounts technology to enable its users to make cash donations 
and participate in daily auctions, the proceeds of which will be donated to 
the charity of their choice. Gregg Greenberg, former chief executive officer 
of CharityCounts, will oversee the integration of the two companies' 
platforms and has not decided whether or not to stay with the company. 
CharityCounts was funded by individual investors. Beliefnet was funded by 
Highland Capital Partners, Primus Venture Partners, Blue Chip Venture, Zero 
Stage Capital, and the Trump Group.
	http://www.beliefnet.com
	http://www.charitycounts.com
	
	
	FilmTrust Acquires IFILM Software Assets for Equity Stake
	mail this story? top
	
	HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- IFILM, a film portal and directory, and 
Filmtrust, an enterprise ASP for the entertainment industry, said they have 
formed  a strategic agreement. Under the terms of the deal, Filmtrust will 
acquire IFILM's key software assets including Productionpro, Locationpro, and 
Jobpro. IFILM will provide Filmtrust with promotional and marketing support 
and consulting to help bring the tools to market. IFILM will receive a 
preferred equity position in Filmtrust for its contributions to the 
co-venture, which will be branded under the Filmtrust name. Filmtrust was 
formed in February 1999 as a joint venture with Digital Commerce Corporation 
(DCC), a creator of e-commerce services for government and industry. The 
venture was launched through an alliance between Filmtrust and Entertainment 
Partners (EP), a developer and marketer of entertainment industry production 
accounting software and services. IFILM's backers include Eastman Kodak, 
Liberty Digital, Shamrock Capital Advisors, Sony, and Vulcan Ventures. 
	http://www.filmtrust.com
	http://www.ifilm.com
	
	
	Inustry B2B Dairy.com and INC2inc Merge to Form Momentx
	mail this story? top
	
	DALLAS (VENTUREWIRE) -- Dairy.com, a business-to-business exchange for the 
dairy industry, and INC2inc Technologies, an online market and supply chhain 
service for the food and beverage industry, announced their merger and the 
formation of a parent company, Momentx. Momentx will be headquartered in 
Dallas. Gregg Engles, chairman of the board and CEO of Suiza Foods, will 
serve as chairman of the board. Scott Sexton, president of INC2inc, will 
serve as president. INC2inc's 45 employees will become employees of Momentx. 
Dairy.com was founded in July by eight dairy industry organizations including 
Dairy Farmers of America, The Dannon Company, Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Kraft 
Foods, Land O'Lakes, Leprino Foods, Schreiber Foods, and Suiza Foods. 
Dairy.com plans to launch its first release in the first quarter of 2001 with 
live trading of commodities including milk and cream. INC2Inc is backed by 
Spyglass Equities.  
	http://www.dairy.com
	http://www.inc2inc.ocm
	
	
	Media Ad Sales Site BuyMedia Acquires REP-PAK Media Systems
	mail this story? top
	
	BURLINGAME, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- BuyMedia, a provider of technology that 
enables media buying and selling, said it signed a letter of intent to 
acquire REP--PAK Media Systems, a Canadian broadcast sales software provider. 
The acquisition is the BuyMedia's first acquisition outside the U.S. 
REP-PAK's management positions are yet to be decided. In September, BuyMedia 
acquired the TvScan and Cablescan divisions of Tapscan, which provides sales 
software for TV and cable industries. BuyMedia is funded by Internet Capital 
Group, Rosewood Venture Group, and Darwin Group. REP-PAK was self funded.
	http://www.buymedia.com
	http://www.rep-pak.com
	
	
	new directors
	?
	Marketing Apps Firm Wheelhouse Adds to Board
	mail this story? top
	
	BURLINGTON, Mass. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Wheelhouse, a marketing infrastructure 
applications provider, said it has appointed Eugene M. Freedman as the 
board's tthird member. Mr. Freedman was a senior partner at Coopers & Lybrand 
and served as chairman and CEO of Coopers & Lybrand U. S. and as chairman of 
Coopers & Lybrand International. He was also a managing director and 
president of Monitor Clipper Partners, a private equity firm, and continues 
to serve as senior advisor and director of both Monitor Clipper Partners and 
Monitor Company, an international business consulting firm. The company 
raised $52 million in its second round of funding in September of this year 
from Amerindo Investment Advisors, Chase H&Q, CXO Media, Oracle, Partech 
International, RSA Security, Silicon Valley Bank, Sumitomo Corporation of 
America, Charles River Ventures, Integral Capital Partners, and Kleiner 
Perkins Caufield & Byers.   
	http://www.wheelhouse.com
	
	
	Network Photonics Appoints Telecom Founder to Board
	mail this story? top
	
	BOULDER, Colo. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Network Photonics, a third generation optical 
networking company focusing on metropolitan areas, said it has appointed 
Donaald Green as its board's sixth member. Mr. Green founded three 
telecommunications companies in northern California, Advanced Fiber 
Communications (AFC), Optilink Corp., and Digital Telephone Systems. He 
serves on the board of several telecommunications firms including Advanced 
Fiber Communications, Cierra Photonics, Turin, Cosine, and TCSI. Network 
Photonics, which has facilities in Santa Rosa, raised $106.5 million in a 
second round of funding led by The Sturm Group, with Spectrum Equity 
Investors, Mustang Ventures, New Enterprise Associates, and U.S. Venture 
Partners also investing, in October of this year.   
	http://www.networkphotonics.com
	
	
	ASP Allegrix Names Flycast Co-founder as Chairman
	mail this story? top
	
	SANTA CLARA, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Allegrix, an application service 
provider of Web-enabling, data center hosting, professional services, catalog 
applicationss, and marketing services, said Rick Thompson, principal at 
Signia Ventures and co-founder of Flycast Communications, has been named 
chairman of the company's board. Allegrix is backed by Signia Ventures.    
	http://www.allegrix.com
	
	
	Cycore Adds Three to Board of Directors
	mail this story? top
	
	UPPSALA, Sweden (VENTUREWIRE) -- Cycore, which develops interactive 3D 
software for Internet businesses, said it added Steven Addis, chairman of 
Addis Groupp; Annika Christiansson, executive vice president for Telia Mobile 
International; and Godfrey Sullivan, CEO of Promptu; to the company's board 
of directors. Cycore is backed by investors including ABN AMRO, Banco Teknik 
Banco Fonder, Bank of New York, Brummer & Partners, and Den Danske Bank.
	http://www.cycore.com
	
	
	Bond Trading System Developer TruMarkets Names Two to Board
	mail this story? top
	
	NEW YORK (VENTUREWIRE) -- TruMarkets, a developer of a client-to-client 
electronic bond trading system, said it appointed  Herbert Allison and 
Ronaldd Readmond to its board of directors. Mr. Allison is former president 
and COO of Merrill Lynch. Mr. Readmond is former president and co-CEO of Wit 
Soundview Group and former COO and vice chairman of Charles Schwab. 
TruMarkets is backed by Morganthaler Venture Partners, Joie Gregor of 
Heidrich & Struggles, Ron Blaylock of Blaylock & Partners, U.S. Senator Jon 
Corzine, Mr. Readmond, and Mr. Allison.  
	http://www.trumarkets.com
	
	
	InfrastructureWorld.com Names Ex-Forbes Head Vice Chairman
	mail this story? top
	
	SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- InfrastructureWorld.com, a 
business-to-business Internet portal that links sponsors, developers, and 
service providers of iinfrastructure projects worldwide, said it has 
appointed former Forbes Publisher Jeffrey M. Cunningham as its vice chairman. 
Mr. Cunningham is currently senior managing partner at Internet Finance 
Partners, as well as a former president of Internet Media Group at CMGI. 
InfrastructureWorld.com is backed by International Finance Corp., the 
investment arm of the World Bank and Bechtel Enterprises Holdings.    
	http://www.infrastructureworld.com
	
	
	InsuranceNoodle Appoints Insurance Executive to Board
	mail this story? top
	
	CHICAGO (VENTUREWIRE) -- InsuranceNoodle, an online insurance application 
that offers small businesses quotes, purchasing services, and advice, saidd 
it has appointed General Wilson C. Cooney to its board. General Cooney is 
currently chairman and CEO of the Cooney Group, a customer relationship 
management firm, and CEO of the Forces Group, a U.K.-based firm that provides 
financial and insurance services to the British Armed Forces.  
InsuranceNoodle received $10 million in a Series A round in September of this 
year from sole investor Argonaut Private Equity Management.   
	http://www.insurancenoodle.com
	
	
	Market Forecasting Firm Opion Names Board Members
	mail this story? top
	
	HERNDON, Va.  (VENTUREWIRE) -- Opion, which provides real-time market 
information, said it named Arthur J. Marks, a general partner at New 
Enterprise Assoociates; Andrew J. Nash, founder, chairman and CEO of 
Collaborex; Michael A. Daniels, former chairman of Network Solutions; and 
Jack L. Lewis, co-chair of the corporate/technology group of Shaw, Pittman, 
Potts and Trowbridge's northern Virginia office, to the company's board of 
directors. Opion president and CEO David Holtzman was named chairman of the 
board. Opion's backers include New Enterprise Associates, Capital Investors 
Group, Avatar Capital Partners, Avansis Ventures, Science Applications 
International, and Schoffstall Ventures.
	http://www.opion.com
	
	
	T-Speed Broadband Communications Announces Board Appointment
	mail this story? top
	
	DALLAS (VENTUREWIRE) -- T-Speed Broadband Communications, which provides 
wireless high-speed Internet access, said it has appointed Randy Schriewerr 
to its board. Mr. Schriewer is the CFO of Broadband Gateways, which is 
developing residential gateways for distributing broadband connections. He 
was formerly the senior vice president and CFO of CyBerCorp, an electronic 
trading technology company that was sold to The Charles Schwab Corp. T-Speed 
Broadband Communications is in the process of closing its first round of 
external financing.   
	http://www.t-speed.com
	
	
	new people
	?
	AirMedia Names Former IBM General Magager as its New CEO
	mail this story? top
	
	SAN FRANCISCO (VENTUREWIRE) -- AirMedia, which develops products and services 
to deliver information through traditional and broadband wireless networks,  
said it named Mark F. Bregman as its new chief executive officer, replacing 
founder David S. Rose, who remains chairman. Mr. Bregman was most recently 
general manager for IBM's RS/6000 division. AirMedia has raised $90 million 
to date and is planning an IPO in 2001. AirMedia is backed by Bell Canada, 
Citigroup Investments, Kleiner Perkins Cauflield & Byers, Mitsubisihi, 
Mitsui, Prospect Street Ventures, Verus International, and Virgin Management 
Group.
	http://www.airmedia.com
	
	
	E-Business Firm Plural Names Former IBM Exec CEO, President
	mail this story? top
	
	NEW YORK (VENTUREWIRE) -- Plural, an Internet business consulting and 
development firm, said it appointed Neil Isford as president and chief 
executivve officer. Mr. Isford replaces Roy Wetterstrom, founder and CEO, who 
will remain with the company as chairman of the board and part of the 
executive management team. Mr. Isford was formerly vice president, 
e-business, at IBM Global Services. Plural is backed by TA Associates and 
Microsoft, which holds a minority stake.
	http://www.plural.com
	
	
	Commerce Infrastructure Firm Moai Promotes Pres, COO to CEO
	mail this story? top
	
	SAN FRANCISCO (VENTUREWIRE) -- Moai Technologies, an electronic commerce 
infrastructure provider offering online negotiation services, said it has 
promoteed Matt Miller, the company's president and chief operating officer, 
to the chief executive officer post. Mr. Miller will take over the post from 
former CEO Anne Perlman, who is now executive chairman and chairman of the 
board. Moai's investors include Andersen Consulting, BroadVision, 
Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Merrill Lynch, Reuters and UPS.   
	http://www.moai.com
	
	
	Digital TV Software Firm TeraLogic Names New CEO
	mail this story? top
	
	MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- TeraLogic, a  developer of integrated 
circuits, platforms, and software for digital TV, said it appointed company 
presidentt, Jon Castor, to chief executive officer. Mr. Castor replaces 
fellow co-founder, Dr. Peng Ang. Dr. Ang will continue to serve as chairman 
of the board. TeraLogic's investors include Citicorp, Sony, Creative 
Technology, Levensohn Capital Management, The Mayfield Fund, Mitsubishi 
Electric, New York Life, and Vertex Management. 
	http://www.teralogic.tv
	
	
	Former Griffin Exec Named CEO of Agriculture Site AgWeb
	mail this story? top
	
	KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (VENTUREWIRE) -- AgWeb, a provider of Internet-based 
services to farmers, ranchers, and the agricultural industry, said it named 
George C. TThornton as chief executive officer. Mr. Thornton was formerly 
president of agricultural products and chief financial officer at Griffin. 
Mr. Thorton replaces acting CEO and founder Roger Randall, who will remain 
with company as vice president of marketing services. AgWeb is backed by the 
Farm Journal, Safeguard Securities, and Madison Dearborn Partners.
	http://www.agweb.com
	
	
	Infrastructure Firm Lightspeed Interactive Names CEO
	mail this story? top
	
	PLEASANTON, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Lightspeed Interactive, an infrastructure 
software firm that focuses on applications for technology companies, said it 
has  appointed Patrick Burns as the firm's first president and CEO. Mr. Burns 
was most recently CFO and secretary treasurer of DHL Corp and has held senior 
management positions with companies including Ford Motor Co., Xerox , 
Bechtel, International Systems, and Maersk Industries. The company raised $11 
million in its first round of funding from Ticonderoga Capital and Millenium 
Technology Ventures in October.   
	http://www.lspeed.com
	
	
	New President & CEO Takes Helm at Buyproduce
	mail this story? top
	
	IRVINE, Calif. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Buyproduce, a provider of IT tools and 
services to the perishable foods industry, said it named Kenneth R. Lally, 
former exxecutive vice president of worldwide sales and services at Epicor 
Software Corp., president and CEO. Mr. Lally will immediately assume the 
duties of interim CEO Dave Schaefer, who will resume his previous role as 
CFO. Buyproduce shifted its business model in order to offer the perishable 
foods industry Internet business tools and professional services. Buyproduce 
is backed by Sequoia Capital, Charter Growth Capital, Lehman Brothers, and 
Nassau Capital.   
	http://www.buyproduce.com
	
	
	Online Investment Facilitation Firm Go4Equity Names CEO
	mail this story? top
	
	ZURICH, Switzerland (VENTUREWIRE) -- Go4Equity, an online platform for 
expansion-to-late-stage private equity transactions designed to help 
investors evaluate ddeals, invest, and follow the progress of their 
investments, said it named Paul Choffat, a board member at Go4Equity since it 
was founded in February 2000, as chief executive officer. Current CEO Edi 
Theiler will be vice president of business development. Go4Equity completed 
its first round of financing in June, raising $2.8 million from undisclosed 
individuals and strategic partners.   
	http://www.go4equity.com
	
	
	Online Legal Documents Firm eLaw.com Names CEO
	mail this story? top
	
	AUSTIN, Texas (VENTUREWIRE) -- eLaw.com, a firm that offers online legal 
documents for legal professionals, said it has appointed Sandra Jimenez, a 
formerr senior manager at several technology firms including Oracle, Dun & 
Bradstreet Software, and McCormack & Dodge as chief executive officer. 
eLaw.com is backed by Austin Ventures, Comdisco Ventures, and private 
individuals.   
	http://www.elaw.com
	
	
	vc personnel
	?
	Two Head West To Run Optical Capital Group's New Office
	mail this story? top
	
	COLUMBIA, Md. (VENTUREWIRE) -- Optical Capital Group, a technology and 
optical networking accelerator, said Max Straube, the former head of W.R. 
Hambrechtt + Co, has joined the firm as president and managing director of 
Private Equity. The company also announced Dick Filippini, a former member of 
the W.R. Hambrecht's Communications Investment Banking Group, has also joined 
the company as associate director of private equity. The two newcomers will 
run the firm's newly-opened office in San Francisco, which was opened to 
assist with identifying strategic opportunities on the West Coast and to 
provide partner companies based in that region with access to the company's 
executive support services.  
	http://www.opticalcapitalgroup.com
	
	
	vw corrections
	?
	InPhonic
	mail this story? top
	
	NEW YORK (VENTUREWIRE) -- An item in yesterday's Venture Wire incorrectly 
stated that InPhonic has raised in excess of $121 million to date, inclluding 
its third round. InPhonic has raised $21 million to date.
	http://www.inphonic.com
	
	
	Nisus
	mail this story? top
	
	NEW YORK (VENTUREWIRE) -- An item in yesterday's Venture Wire about new 
funding for Nisus contained an incorrect URL for the company. Nisus'ss URL is 
http://www.nisusinc.com. 
	
	
	Salesnet
	mail this story? top
	
	NEW YORK  (VENTUREWIRE) -- An item in yesterday's VentureWire about sales ASP 
firm Mynetsales.com's name change incorrectly listed the new namme as 
Salesnet.com. The company has dropped the dotcom and is known now as Salesnet.
	
	
	company index
	top
	
	Advent Networks, AgWeb.com, AirMedia, Allegrix, Beliefnet, BiblioMondo.com, 
BISnet, BT Brightstar, BuyMedia, BuyProduce.com, CarsDirect.com, Caspian 
Networks, CharityCounts.com, CheMatch.com, Cycore, Dairy.com, Diamond.com, 
Divine interVentures, eLaw.com, Exponential Technology, Filmtrust, 
GiantBear.com, go4equity.com, HarvardNet, HealtheTech, IFilm, In-Fusio, 
INC2inc Technologies, IncuVest, InfoMedics, InfrastructureWorld.com, 
Inphonic.com, Insight Capital Partners, InsuranceNoodle.com, Lightspeed 
Interactive, Mediatrix, Moai Technologies, Money.net, Network Photonics, 
Opion, Optical Capital Group, PacketVideo, Plural, Providence Equity 
Partners, Quidnunc Group, REP-PAK Media Systems, Rivenet, Simulant, T-Speed 
Broadband Communications, Technologic Partners, TeraLogic, The Iris Group, 
Trade Extensions, TruMarkets, United Devices, Wheelhouse, Xpert, 
YourEnergySource
	
	
	Optix 2001 Features Creme de la Creme of the Industry
	
	Ask yourself: if Patrick Nettles, Chairman and CEO of Ciena,
	and Kerry Vahala, Professor of Applied Physics at the
	California Institute of Technology, are speaking at Optix
	2001, shouldn't I register to attend? It's been labeled the
	"must-attend" event of the year and is certain to be the
	optimal chance for networking with key players in the industry.
	
	In addition, 48 CEOs representing the best and brightest
	private optical communications companies will expound their
	business plans and future goals to others in the industry.
	
	Participation at this event is subject to approval and is
	limited to senior executives involved in the optical com-
	munications industry. For your registration pack, link 
to:http://www.optix2001.com/
	
	
	investor index
	top
	
	3Com Ventures, Accident Insurance, Ampal-American Israel, Banexi Ventures, 
Barclays Ventures, Blackstone Capital Partners, CDB Web Tech, Codexi, 
Colonial Life, Expanso, First Union Capital Partners, Goldman Sachs Group, 
Israel Seed Partners, ITU Ventures, Johnson & Johnson Development, Lunn 
Partners, Merrill Lynch, Merrion Capital, Mitsubishi, Morgan Keegan & Co., 
Motorola, Murphree Venture Partners, Mustang Ventures, Natio Vie et 
D,veloppement III, North Bridge Venture Partners, Partech International, Pi 
Capital, Reliant Energy, Southern Union Company, Sutter Hill Ventures, Thomas 
H. Lee Co., Trinity Ventures, UtiliCorp United, Validus Partners, Viventures, 
Weston Presidio Capital, William Blair New World Ventures, YourEnergySource
	
	
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