GHS.L Regulatory News (GHS)

6 Jun 2006 14:30

NewMedia SPARK PLC06 June 2006 For Immediate Release 6 June 2006 NewMedia SPARK ("SPARK") INVESTEE UPDATE: Microsoft licenses intellectual property to Skinkers Ltd ("Skinkers") and takes an equity stake London, UK - June 6, 2006 - SPARK, the quoted venture capital organisationfocused on early stage investments in the technology, media and telecomssectors, is pleased to announce that yesterday at Microsoft's Small and MediumEnterprise (SME) Innovation conference in Brussels, Microsoft Corp. announcedthe first spinout of technology from its Microsoft Research Cambridge lab toSkinkers, a London-based startup and SPARK investee company. Skinkers, a marketleader in direct-to-desktop event notification and content delivery solutions,is acquiring technology that will enable it to reach more customers with fasterand more reliable service. As a result of this agreement, Microsoft will get anequity position in the company and an observer seat on the board of directors. This new relationship with an innovative European company marks the progressthat the Microsoft IP Ventures program has made toward its goal of matchinginnovations from its research labs with companies around the globe that canrefine and commercialize the technologies into their own products. "Working with governments and venture capitalists to get our innovationportfolio in the hands of entrepreneurs who can commercialize it is a win forall parties," said Jean-Philippe Courtois, president of Microsoft International."The new business relationships with Skinkers will yield new innovations for theEuropean and the global markets." The Microsoft IP Ventures program connects entrepreneurs with innovativetechnologies developed as part of Microsoft's multibillion-dollar annualinvestment in research and development. Through the program, new companies andeconomic development organizations gain access to Microsoft Researchtechnologies and, in alliance with investment firms, commercialize thetechnology. "The technology and the support available through the IP Ventures programprovide an unparalleled opportunity for small and emerging businesses. Thistransaction accelerates the Skinkers product roadmap and the development andequity partnership provides a great platform from which the company can realiseits full potential.," said Jay Patel, executive director of SPARK and a BoardDirector of Skinkers Ltd. Skinkers to Bring Collaborative Agent Technology to Market Skinkers will acquire a collaborative agent technology developed by MicrosoftResearch Cambridge as part of the agreement. Over the next year, Skinkers willco-develop software with Microsoft that will benefit both companies and resultin a final product that Skinkers will take to market. Microsoft plans toincorporate part of the final technology into its product line. Microsoft willbe a shareholder in Skinkers, and Andrew Herbert, managing director of theMicrosoft Research Cambridge lab, will join Skinkers' board in the capacity ofan observer. "Microsoft's Cambridge Lab will be working closely with Skinkers in a venturethat will bring new innovative technology to the European market," Herbert said. "The relationship with IP Ventures enables us to combine our leadingdirect-to-desktop solutions with the latest collaborative agent contentdistribution technology from Microsoft, creating exciting new commercialopportunities," said Matteo Berlucchi, CEO of Skinkers. For further information please contact: NewMedia SPARKJay Patel 020 7851 7777 Buchanan CommunicationsTim Anderson /Isabel Podda 020 7466 5000 Notes to Editors NewMedia SPARK plc NewMedia SPARK is a quoted venture capital organisation based in central London focused on early stage investments in the technology, media and telecomssectors. SPARK's portfolio has a particular emphasis on digital media,software applications, technology and communications. As an investor, SPARKexpects to add significant value to its investments through active support andstrategic direction. SPARK is listed on London's Alternative Investment Market. For further information, see www.newmediaspark.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange