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News About The Program

1. E-COMMERCE: THE NEW CONSTELLATION OF STARS
Remember a few months ago when over 1000 netpreneurs came out to spend An Evening With The Stars of Telecom? Well, we can take a hint. When something works, you don't mess with it, right? Get ready, and get registered now for "An Evening With The Stars of E-Commerce," coming June 3, a free event from the Netpreneur Program and the Morino Institute.
We've got some good news and some bad news about this one. The good news is a stellar (get it?) group of speakers including John Backus, President & CEO of Intelidata Technologies Corp.; Bill Gorog, Chairman of the Board of Intelidata and developer of Lexis-Nexis; Jack McDonnell, President & CEO of Transaction Network Services, Inc.; Bill Melton, CEO of CyberCash, Inc. and Mark Walsh, President & CEO of VerticalNet, Inc. Successful entrepreneurs all who are defining e-commerce from every angle: home banking, vertical trade communities, transaction-based applications and the development of new technologies.
Good news part two is that our moderator for the evening will be Gary Arlen whom Advertising Age called "one of the most visible and most quoted new media gurus." Gary is President of Arlen Communications Inc. And good news part three is an hour of networking with your colleagues from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at the pre-reception, with more networking after at a post-reception. The program itself, which runs 7:00-9:00, will follow a town-hall format beginning with brief presentations from the Stars, followed by extensive audience Q&A.
Now, here's the bad news. We're limited to 700 people who can attend this event. It bums us out more than somewhat because we were shooting for a new high. 450 people attended the Program's first major event about early stage financing; 700 came to An Evening With The Barons; 1000 for telecom. At this rate we won't hit a million netpreneurs until June, 2002. It also means we recommend that you register early.
An Evening With The Stars of E-Commerce will be held Wednesday, June 3, from 6:00 to 9:00pm with reception following at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. The event is free, but you must pre-register online. For more information and to register, please visit:

http://netpreneur.org/ecommerce

2. BRING THE BEST PEOPLE INTO YOUR COMPANY
The transcript of Mario Morino's presentation at last week's Coffee & DoughNets, "Recruiting Is A Never-Ending Process," is now available at the Netpreneur Exchange site. "There shouldn't be a day that goes by when you are not recruiting." says Mario, who offers suggestions on issues like the current recruiting climate, setting expectations, warning signs, compensation packages and how you can avoid most potential problems by hiring the right people.
Transcript: http://netpreneur.org/events/doughnets/recruiting

3. NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE SUCCESS STORIES
Netpreneurs tell us they're getting good information and making contacts at Program events, in the discussion groups and at the Web site. But what's the end result? Is there a real effect on business? Turns out there is, and we'd like your help tracking it.
Take, for example, Blackboard LLC's recent funding (see the story in the Funding & Finance News below) which came as a result of an effort run by the Netpreneur Program called Net-Invest Routing Summaries. Since June of last year, we've been building an investor group called NET-INVEST that receives selected business summaries from netpreneurs in our region seeking capital. That's how Blackboard hooked up with investor Ching-Ho Fung.
We've started to collect stories like these in a new Success Stories area of the Web site. You'll see how superSonicBOOM landed funding from IBG, how Eolian found its future CEO, how Nascent found a CTO and how GovCon formed a partnership with e-cerv. We're looking for more stories like these which tell how the Netpreneur Program or its initiatives have helped you achieve a milestone. These stories help investors, the press and potential partners understand why they should take part in our netpreneur community. That helps you by expanding the community, getting more media attention, more contacts, more information resources and more successes. We'll even do all the work. Just email us with the essence of the story and your phone number to success@netpreneur.org. We'll get back in touch for the details and write it all up. Piece o' cake. We appreciate your assistance.
Success Stories: http://netpreneur.org/success

4. NEWLY ASSEMBLED AT THE FAQtory
Find out about Networking With VCs in the Funding area and Forming Advisory Boards in the Management area. The usual FAQtory caveat applies: these are not necessarily complete explications. They reflect recent discussion among our netpreneur community and are added to regularly. Please contribute your comments. FAQtory: http://netpreneur.org/faqtory

Regional Netpreneurs

1. NETWORK IMAGING BRINGS SOLUTIONS TO ASIA
(Herndon, VA) Network Imaging Corp. will work with Warga Media Sdn Bhd, of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to use Network Imaging's 1View:Object Manager software as the storage and distribution engine for the Kuala Lumpur Internet Exchange (KLIX) being developed and deployed by Warga. KLIX is the framework upon which the Multimedia Supercomputer Corridor (MSC) will soon develop Internet content management applications. The initial contract, valued at $841K, calls for implementation of Network Imaging's software in Malaysia, with possible future expansion to sites in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and China, for applications in government, finance, banking, insurance, construction and education. Network Imaging develops multimedia content and storage management software products.
Network Imaging: http://www.netimage.com KLIX: http://www.klix.net

2. AUTO TRADER MOVES 3,600 USED CARS A MONTH
(Norfolk, VA) According to its customer survey, Auto Trader Online is selling around 3,600 cars per month for consumers across the US. That's just individual sellers who use the company's online classified ads and does not include sales from the 15,000 automobile dealers who have inventory listings on the site. Auto Trader says it is home to the world's largest used car database on the Net with over 500,000 used autos for sale. Auto Trader is under the umbrella of the Trader Online operation which contains 20 Internet sites covering autos, aircraft, boats, heavy equipment and other items.
Auto Trader Online: http://www.traderonline.com

3. TWO NEW BOOKS ON WEBCASTING
(Washington, DC) Peggy Miles is President of Intervox Communications and a consultant on webcasting and Internet broadcasting. She has authored two new books, "Mecklermedia Internet World's Guide to Webcasting" published by Wiley, and "Internet Age Broadcaster" published by the National Association of Broadcasters. The first book discusses topics including the business opportunities available with webcasting, creating a successful business model, webcasting technologies and how to launch your own Web channels and interactive TV programs. The second book helps broadcasters chart their long-term Internet strategy.
Intervox Communications: http://www.intervox.com
NAB Online Store: http://www.nab.org
Wiley: http://www.wiley.com/compbooks

4. SPEX EVALUATES SEARCH ENGINES AND E-COMMERCE PACKAGES
(Reston, VA) SPEX (Software Product Expertise) has released new evaluation kits for Web search engines and e-commerce. The kits help corporations select critical software components from between vendors. The Search Engine Kit covers AltaVista Search Intranet 97 (Digital Equipment), BRS/NetAnswer (Dataware), Fulcrum Knowledge Network (Fulcrum Technologies), RetrievalWare (Excalibur Technologies), Search97 Information Server (Verity) and ZyIMAGE/ZyINDEX (ZyLab). The hands-on reviews evaluate characteristics, such as software architecture, indexing, searching, query types, retrieving and displaying results, operation and user administration. The E-commerce Kit covers One-To-One (BroadVision), Net.Commerce (IBM), Commerce Suite Professional (iCat), Intershop Mall (Intershop), Domino.Merchant (Lotus Development), Site Server Enterprise Edition (Microsoft), Transact and LiveCommerce (Open Market) and Internet Commerce Server (Oracle). Side-by-side comparisons include general architecture, standards compliance, transaction management, software administration, data, search and other software interfaces, security management, catalog creation, payment methods and content, order, tax and shipping management. Samples of the kits can be found at the Web site.
SPEX: http://www.checkspex.com

Partnerships

1. STRATOSPHERE INTERNET PROJECT LAUNCHED
(Washington, DC) Sky Station International, Inc. (SSI) signed an agreement with Aerospatiale SNI of France for Phase B design and development of Sky Station International's stratospheric platforms. SSI has technology which enables a solar-powered lighter-than-air platform to remain stationary in the stratosphere. A telecommunications system onboard each Sky Station platform delivers high-speed wireless communications (T-1 and E-1) directly to subscribers within its 1,000 kilometer diameter footprint. The system is scheduled for launch in 2001 with the deployment of platforms 21 kilometers above the world's major metropolitan areas. The team also includes COMSAT Laboratories of Maryland; Alenia Spazio/Finmeccanica of Italy; Dornier Satellitensysteme GmbH in Germany; Thomson-CSF Communications of France; United Solar Systems Corp. of Michigan; and Stanford Telecom of California. The companies' efforts will be coordinated by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory which will provide end-to-end system integration. The entire project is valued at $2.5 billion for a worldwide broadband infrastructure.
Sky Station: http://www.skystation.com

2. WRITERS CLUB JOINS WITH NRI/MCGRAW HILL
(Falls Church, VA) Students in NRI/McGraw-Hill study programs in Fiction and Nonfiction Writing are getting membership in Writers Club Online through a new alliance. "Because distance learning does not provide trad itional classroom interaction, we're eager to offer our students a way to associate with successful writers of all kinds through the Writers Club. We're confident that NRI's association with the Writers Club will enhance the educational experience of our students," said Carol Bennett, Director of NRI's School of Writing. The students will have access to writing conferences, articles and newsletters and can participate in Writers Club message boards and chat rooms. The two companies will cross-promote through separate marketing efforts and also create joint marketing programs.
Writers Club: http://writersclub.com

3. VIRTUALOGIC TO WORK WITH MICROSTRATEGY
(Bethesda, MD) Virtualogic has become a DSS Partner with Vienna, VA-based MicroStrategy, the largest provider of relational on-line analytical processing (ROLAP) tools. Virtualogic will begin to offer specialized MicroStrategy-related services, including database modeling, schema design, DSS application development and MicroStrategy implementation methodology. Virtualogic is an IT services and integration company.
Virtualogic: http://virtualogic.com
MicroStrategy: http://www.microstrategy.com

4. CONTENT AND COMMUNITY FROM WOMEN'S MAGAZINES AT WCO (McLean, VA) - Women's Connection Online (WCO) will begin integrating content from Working Woman and Working Mother magazines into the WCO site. Readers can access the content, which includes searchable databases, from a toolbar or by topic area within the WCO site. Related surveys, polls and moderated chat room sessions will follow stories published in the print editions. The Web editions of Working Woman and Working Mother will also feature supplementary articles.
Women's Connection Online: http://www.womenconnect.com

Construction Crews
WHO'S BRINGING WHOM TO THE WEB?
Khera Communications ( http://www.kcilink.com ) recently finished new sites for KPMG's Construction Project Advisory Services Practice ( http://www.kpmg-construct.com ) and the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance Evaluation ( http://www.jrsainfo.org/bja ).

Funding & Finance News

1. BLACKBOARD SCORES PRIVATE PLACEMENT
(Washington, DC) Blackboard LLC has completed a private equity financing with Ching-Ho Fung, a leading local entrepreneur with experience growing high-tech companies. Fung and Blackboard met through the Netpreneur Program's NET-INVEST routing service. Currently President of telecommunications firm IDX International, Inc., Fung is Blackboard's lead investor and will join the company's Board of Directors. Before taking the helm of IDX, he was co-founder of Performix Inc., a Virginia-based software company that was acquired by Pure Software in a transaction which exceeded $60 million. Blackboard develops technologies that help make the Internet more useful for teaching and learning. The funding will allow Blackboard to accelerate the expansion of its product line. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Blackboard: http://www.Blackboard.net

2. LUCENT TO BUY YURIE
(Landover, MD) Yurie Systems, Inc., maker of ATM access technology and equipment, will be acquired by Murray Hill, NJ-based Lucent Technologies for about $1 billion in cash, or $35 a share in a tender offer. The boards of both companies have approved the acquisition and the transaction is expected to be completed before June 30. Yurie completed its IPO in February 1997 and was recognized as America's Number One Hot Growth Company by Business Week in May 1997.
Yurie: http://www.yurie.com
Lucent: http://www.lucent.com

3. IMARK TO ACQUIRE INTERNATIONAL ADVANCE
(Herndon, VA) Imark Technologies, Inc. has entered into a letter of intent to acquire International Advance, a private Delaware-based holding company. International Advance (IA) owns a 29.9% interest in Voss Net, a London-based ISP. IA's interest in Voss Net is currently valued at approximately $2 million. Under the agreement, which is subject to approval by Imark's Board, IA will receive 10.5 million shares of common stock plus 1 million shares of preferred stock, thus acquiring control of Imark. IA has also committed to raise further capital to fund future development and growth of Imark's business and will fund an aggressive program of acquisitions by Imark of Internet-related companies. Imark will enter into a strategic alliance with Voss Net to serve as its base for expansion into the European Market, and Imark will serve as the US base for Voss Net's e-commerce initiatives.
Imark: http://www.imarktech.com

4. NETRIX COMPLETES PRIVATE PLACEMENT
(Herndon, VA) NETRIX Corp. received net proceeds of over $2 million in a private placement to be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including further investment in marketing and product development of its Voice over IP gateway, Network Exchange 2210 with Vodex software.
Netrix: http://www.netrix.com

Netpreneurs Recognized

1. NET RESPONSE AND PROXICOM AMONG TOP 20 CONSULTANTS

(Reston and Arlington, VA) Internet Computing named both Proxicom and NetResponse to its list of top 20 Internet consulting firms in the May 1998 issue. Proxicom was touted as "a powerhouse in the building of enterprise-wide, Internet-based business solutions" and the magazine noted that, "the thing about NetResponse [is] almost all of its clients have done something unique with their sites." Both companies have recently received other awards as well. NetResponse was named a top five management consulting firm by The Red Herring magazine. Proxicom was called one of the "Top 10 Companies To Work For" by Interactive Week in its April 6 issue, sharing the limelight with high tech giants such as Microsoft, Lotus and Sun.
Proxicom: http://www.proxicom.com
NetResponse: http://www.netresponse.com
Top 20 article: http://www.zdnet.com/icom/content/anchors/199804/06/best.20/index.html
I-Week article: http://www.zdnet.com/intweek/supplements/top10/intro.html

Regional News

1. NEW COMMUNITY FOR THE CREATIVE SIDE OF THE WEB
The Washington Creative Web Society is a new loosely-affiliated organization of people in the Washington area who are actively involved in Web or interactive media work including writing, producing or editing content, designing Web pages, working with online communities and creating visual content. The group's goal is to increase interaction among the area's creative people, share ideas and build awareness of each other's work. It is not intended for people who are primarily interested in marketing, advertising, or bottom-line business--expect to talk about the actual production of content, not necessarily its use or business model. Beginners are welcome. You can join at the site and take part in the Web-based discussion area. A community Webzine is in the works to profile the people at the forefront of innovation. WCWS is administered by founder Dan Pacheco, a multimedia producer for Knight Ridder/Tribune Interactive and formerly an online producer at washingtonpost.com.
Washington Creative Web Society: http://www.futureforecast.com/wcws

Quick Hits

1. COMPENSATION SURVEY FOR INTERNET AND WEB JOBS
(Santa Clara, CA) The American Electronics Association (AEA) has published a survey that shows a wide range of salaries for 33 Internet and Web jobs from $39,500 to $120,100 a year. The results show that, as with many sectors of high technology, all of the Web jobs surveyed substantially out-paced the private sector wages average. The top five Web positions for average salary were Internet Strategist $121,200; Electronics Commerce Manager $120,100; Internet Strategy Director $114,700; Server Engineer $88,700; and Web Technologist $78,800. Until recently, the "Webmaster" job was the only one assigned to Web and Internet responsibilities. The survey was conducted for AEA by William M. Mercer, Inc. For nearly all job categories -- from senior managers to individual contributors--eligibility for stock options was part of the compensation package. Nineteen leading technology companies participated in the survey including 3Com Corporation, Cisco Systems, Silicon Graphics, America Online, and Sybase. The complete report costs $850, $500 for AEA members.
AEA: http://www.aeanet.org

Thanks for your interest and support for The Netpreneur Program . Please send comments and stories to: editor@netpreneur.org.

Netpreneur News is Copyright © 1996-2003 Morino Institute, all rights reserved. The information contained in this newsletter has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but is not necessarily complete and its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. It is provided "as is" and your use is at your own risk.

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